Austria against Germany in the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz

The decision has been made: The hit at the start of the European Championship qualification for women’s football between Austria and EURO finalist Germany will take place on April 5th in Linz. The Raiffeisen Arena on the Gugl, which can accommodate 17,117 visitors for international matches, was awarded the contract. The home of LASK will thus be the largest stage in the history of international matches on red-white-red ground.

A sign of appreciation and increasing popularity, which is due to strong performances at European Championships (semifinals 2017, quarterfinals 2022) and in the Nations League.

FC Blau-Weiß Linz actually had ambitions to turn the Hofmann Personal Stadium into something like a “home base” for women in cooperation with the ÖFB. But the manageable capacity (5595) does not meet the demands of this top game. On September 26, 2023, Irene Fuhrmann’s team played at Viola Park in Vienna-Favoriten for the first time and attracted 10,051 fans in a 1-0 defeat against France. This number should now be topped in Linz.

“Another milestone”

“After the record game against France in Vienna and the first sold-out international match against Portugal in Altach, we are pleased to be setting another milestone in the history of the women’s national team with the classic against Germany in the Raiffeisen Arena. We are happy to be able to make another highlight in Austrian women’s football possible together with LASK,” said ÖFB President Klaus Mitterdorfer.

The anticipation of the football treat on the Gugl is huge, as is the sporting challenge. Germany is one of the greats: world champions in 2003 and 2007, European champions in 1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, Olympic gold in 2016.

“We are of course really looking forward to the duels with Germany, because they have a very special explosiveness. It’s really cool to play against a nation with so much tradition and a successful past,” said ÖFB team boss Fuhrmann. “It will again depend on the support of the audience in order to be able to survive. We are once again counting on our 12th woman and our 12th man in the stands in Linz.”

Three duels, three defeats

It will also be a real experience for the players: after all, a dozen of the ÖFB squad are involved in the German Bundesliga. People appreciate and know each other. There is also a certain desire for revenge. There have only been defeats in the three previous encounters: 2016 (2:4) and 2018 (1:3) away at Test level and 0:2 in the EURO quarter-finals in Brentford in 2022.

On April 5th, the home advantage should give wings. However, numerous fans from neighboring Germany are also expected.

Maybe that’s a good omen: Austria’s men’s national team has already played three international matches on the new Gugl – and hasn’t lost any of them. In the European Championship qualification double at the end of March 2023 there was a 4-1 win against Azerbaijan and a 2-1 win against Estonia. A test against the Republic of Moldova at the beginning of September 2023 ended 1-1.

“An absolute highlight”

LASK managing director Siegmund Gruber hopes for a continuation of the success story: “We are proud that we will be able to welcome the women’s national team to the Raiffeisen Arena for the first time in a few weeks. This game will be an absolute highlight for the city of Linz and the state of Upper Austria We are pleased to be able to offer a worthy stage.”

Information about advance ticket sales will follow soon.

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