The first LASK player scored the first goal in the new arena

The Raiffeisen Arena in Linz passed its dress rehearsal with flying colours: When the final whistle sounded in the LASK Ladies’ 4-1 (2-1) victory over SPG Geretsberg/Bürmoos, those responsible were able to breathe deeply for the first time.

You could already see how great the interest was when the two teams came onto the field. 3500 tickets were sold for this premiere. This is a record number of visitors in Austrian women’s club football. And it was perfect that captain Katharina Mayr of all people was the first goal scorer in the history of the Raiffeisen Arena.

When the team was founded almost two years ago, Mayr was the first LASK player to be signed. Yesterday she was celebrated after her debut goal in the 19th minute. “Obviously this is an unforgettable event. In this arena, and to score the first goal with a record number of spectators, that is something very special.” In addition to Mayr, Simone Krammer (2) and Marie Schweitzer for the LASK ladies and Elisabeth Tischler for the guests from the Innviertel also met.

Dress rehearsal went well

Off the pitch, everything went according to plan. “We rehearse everything as if the Bundesliga premiere were already taking place on Friday. We also have the same security squad as on Friday against Lustenau so that everyone knows their position and everyone knows what to expect,” confirmed LASK President Siegmund Gruber.

You really used every minute until kick-off. The fact that LASK was only a small number of those responsible in the Innviertel in the 1-1 Bundesliga derby on Saturday at SV Ried also had to do with the opening of the arena: almost at the same time, the office staff did another one Extra tour on the Gugl to internalize the shortest routes in the stadium, which has a total of six levels.

Benediction by Bishop Scheuer

It was easier for the around 600 visitors to the BWT Business Club: the two floors are connected via escalators. Numerous delicacies were served: from the stewed goose in port wine juice to the crispy suckling pig leg to the Mediterranean fish variation on a vegetable ragout.

Even before referee Maria Ennsgraber called the players onto the field, the Linz diocesan bishop Manfred Scheuer stepped onto the lawn to bless the Raiffeisen Arena. “Are we only living in yesterday, or do we have faith in the future? I believe that we at Linz can be proud of a lot. This also includes sport and football.”