“It was a real dream for me to be able to celebrate this goal in front of and with the fans,” said Felix Seiwald yesterday morning when leaving the training ground. The 21-year-old put SV Guntamatic Ried on the road to victory on Wednesday evening with his first competitive goal in the 19th game of the cup semifinals. While Seiwald and the other players in the starting XI regenerated in the training center yesterday, the substitutes and the coaching team headed by Robert Ibertsberger went to the training ground for around 75 minutes.
The mood matched the bright sunshine. No wonder: after 1998, 2011 and 2012, the Innviertler are in the cup final for the fourth time after beating Hartberg 2-1. “Reaching the final feels really good, especially in front of our own fans. You don’t do that often as a player or as a coach. The atmosphere was unique, everyone was extremely happy. It makes me proud how we did it.” , said Ibertsberger in the OÖN conversation.
The training kibitzers agreed on one point: “We’re going to Klagenfurt safely, we don’t want to miss the final.”
Gerald Lackerbauer, founder of the SV Ried Black-Green fan club, still fit as a fiddle at 77, is looking forward to the fourth final. “For a small town like Ried, such a final is something very special. After all, you are the focus of attention throughout Austria,” said Lackerbauer, adding with a laugh: “Unfortunately, my voice suffered a bit from the cup semi-finals. In Of course I’ll be there in Klagenfurt, I’m already looking forward to it.”
Victory against Sturm Graz in sight
At SV Ried, however, the focus is now fully on the “final” in the regular season on Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Josko Arena against Sturm Graz. “I think we can do it. I’m guessing and hoping for a 1-0 win,” said Kit Manager Daniel Weissteiner on the sidelines of yesterday’s training session.
“I’m convinced that we’ll have a 100 percent fit team on the field on Sunday. The tailwind from reaching the cup final will of course help with regeneration, especially mentally. Sturm Graz will be a very tough opponent. That’s all prepared for a last, very explosive round in the regular season,” said Ibertsberger, who also appealed to the spectators: “I hope that many fans will come to the Josko Arena again on Sunday second step this week to qualify us for the championship group with a win.”
Video: Interview with Robert Ibertsberger
Just over 3500 tickets were sold yesterday afternoon. A sold-out stadium is not to be expected on Sunday. Those responsible hope for up to 6000 fans. Tickets are still available from the SVR office this Friday. Online tickets are available until the start of the game (www.svried.at). The ticket offices on the match day are open on Sunday from 3 p.m. For the first time in two years, there are no longer any corona requirements for the match against Sturm Graz.
Source: Nachrichten
