It was June 2012: Back then, UFC Riegerting and Union Mehrnbach faced each other for the last time in the 2nd Class West. In the end, Mehrnbach had to take a 0:8 defeat. On Sunday there will be another derby after twelve years in the Riegertinger “Eichenlaubstadion” – but this time in the 1st Class Southwest. The term “derby” is rarely as apt as it is in this duel, because Riegerting is part of the municipality of Mehrnbach.
“We’re playing away and the UFC is very strong on home turf. For me, Riegerting is the favorite,” says Mehrnbach’s Bavarian coach Klaus Hofbauer. After the 5-0 win in Waldzell last weekend, his team is currently in fourth place in the table, four points behind league leaders Palting/Seeham.
Riegerting coach Wolfgang Huber returns the role of favorite. “We are the promoted team and have less experience in the first class, I would be happy to give back the role of favorite,” says Huber, who has been the UFC coach since the summer of 2023 and was in the Riegertinger goal at the last derby to date. “We are not 100 percent satisfied with the season so far, even more points would have been possible. But for us, every game is a learning process, after all, we have the youngest team in the league,” says the 44-year-old trainer, his team at the weekend celebrated a 4-1 away win in Mattighofen and is currently in eighth place in the table. In the end, the only thing that counts is staying in the league, said Huber.
“30 points should be enough,” adds Hofbauer. After all, the Mehrnbacher coach has to know. Last season he took over the Union with three rounds to go. “We were practically relegated and then saved ourselves with three wins. So we are currently very happy with our 19 points,” says Hofbauer.
Friendships rest
On Sunday, however, the points scored so far will fade into the background and the well-known “own derby laws” will take effect. However, the rivalry between the clubs has been limited in the recent past. “There used to be a lot of teasing. We’ve had a really well-functioning youth playgroup for ten years. A lot of friendships have developed over the years. The boys all know each other very well,” emphasizes Huber.
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Source: Nachrichten
