Blau-Weiß Linz presents cooperation with Upper Austria regional league

“We have eventful weeks behind us,” said managing director Christoph Peschek at today’s press conference of FC Blau-Weiss Linz. After the championship title in the 2nd division and the opening of the new Hofmann staff stadium, the new competitive season will kick off next Saturday with the first round of the ÖFB Cup against the Upper Austrian regional league team Wallern.

Ironically, the Oberhaus climber announced a cooperation with the Trattnachtalers today. “For us it is important that our young players, who are not yet often used at the Bundesliga level, can play at a good level,” explains BW sports director Christoph Schösswendter. The first cooperation players have already been determined: goalkeeper Kevin Radulovic and midfielder Alexander Briedl are also to be used by the new partner club in the third division. But that will not be the case in the cup. Schösswendter: “There is an agreement that our kickers will not play against us.”

Blue and white also want to tackle the project of a junior academy.

Relegation as a goal

The cup duel at the third division serves as a dress rehearsal for the endurance tests that await in the Bundesliga in the coming weeks. “Obviously the goal is to stay up. We’re going into the Bundesliga with confidence. We came here to stay,” said Peschek.

BW coach Gerald Scheiblehner is satisfied with the preparation: “The preparation went smoothly. We were able to integrate the new players well, even if they initially had problems with our training intensity.” Squad planning is almost complete, as Schösswendter reveals: “We were able to lure some exciting players to Linz. We will continue on the path we have taken and have a good range in the squad. We’ll keep our eyes open, it can be, but it doesn’t have to be.” A new signing could come, especially in defence.

2200 subscriptions sold

Blue and white are not just looking forward to the Bundesliga from a sporting point of view: “The anticipation is huge,” says captain Michael Brandner. The euphoria around the club can also be felt in the environment: 2200 subscriptions have already been sold for the new Hofmann staff stadium, and the new jerseys are also a bestseller: “We have sold more jerseys in the past week and a half than in the entire last season,” says Peschek. The 350 jerseys imposed to date were all sold out immediately.