Bad Schallerbach particularly dressed up for the WSG Tirol

Will OÖ-Liga-promoted SV Bad Schallerbach create a big sensation in the ÖFB-Cup today? The fourth division and reigning state cup winner takes on Bundesliga club WSG Tirol (7 p.m.).

The people of Trattnachtal are dreaming of a surprise. “We know what our team can do. Of course we’re up against a Bundesliga team, but we’ll try to counteract it fully,” promises Bad Schallerbach’s sporting director Harald Ruckendorfer. His club dressed up especially for the cup highlight against the Tyroleans. The infrastructural requirements have also changed as a result of the promotion to the Upper Austrian league: Among other things, the cabins have been renewed and the benches have been expanded to accommodate twelve people. The professional entourage from Tyrol, who will be staying at the “garni” hotel in Wallern, will claim all the seats today.

For WSG coach Thomas Silberberger, only progression counts: “Of course, anything but promotion would be a disgrace. As a Bundesliga club you have to prevail against a lower-class opponent. Nevertheless, we have done our homework and take the opponent as seriously as possible.”

The Tyroleans come to the health resort with a fright: A test planned for last Tuesday against the Italian Serie A club Genoa had to be canceled because a tornado prevented the cup dress rehearsal. Wooden slats and steel fences had been thrown around, a TV tower had collapsed.