Back to the roots: Ante Bajic against Gurten

Today’s game in the ÖFB Cup against Austria’s record champions Rapid (8.30 p.m., Klaus Roitinger Stadium Ried) will not only be a real highlight for the kickers of regional football team Union Gurten – the game will also be highly emotional for Ante Bajic: the 28th -year-old Altheimer meets the club where he can make the leap into the professional game. In the OÖN interview, the Rapid kicker talks about reuniting with old teammates and social gatherings at his former club.

OÖN: What was it actually like when you found out about the Gurten cup ticket?
Ante Bajic: I have to honestly admit: I was walking the dogs in Vienna on the evening of the draw and didn’t actually think about it. Suddenly there was a buzz on my cell phone and I also received messages from several Gurtner players. Only then did I check that we had been assigned Gurten. I’m really looking forward to the game, but it will be a very, very difficult one for us.

You are, so to speak, the Gurten insider at Rapid – what do your colleagues have to prepare for?
A tough cup fight awaits us against an experienced and strong team. Of the regional league teams, Gurten was certainly one of the most unpleasant draws. I can remember that in the past it never bothered anyone when they had to play with us.

You spent more than four years with the Innviertler regional league team. You then made the leap into professional football at Ried.
I had good years in Gurten, my time there was my springboard into professional football. Back then, that wasn’t really my plan anymore. After seven years at Burghausen, I actually wanted to switch back a bit and just kick more. I just didn’t put any pressure on myself. I didn’t enjoy football as much back then, but I got it back in Gurten.

Are you still in touch with your former Gurten teammates?
Naturally. Goalkeeper Felix Wimmer is a very good friend of mine, and I also played with Simon Schnaitter and Rene Wirth. And then there are also former Gurten players like Martin Feichtinger or the current assistant coach Florian Hirsch, from whom I learned a lot.

What was so special about Union Gurten?
It’s a family club, the people are very special. After training, we would sit together for hours every now and then, drinking a beer or two and philosophizing about football. It’s a different world compared to professional football – of course something like that is no longer possible (laughs).

You’re coming back to the Innviertel with Rapid today – what goals do you have for the current season?
Last season was anything but easy and unsatisfactory. This season we want to show a different face. We got off to a good start, even though we lost a few points. Hopefully we can establish ourselves at the top of the table.

6000 fans expected

Memories of the past are to be awakened in the Klaus Roitinger Stadium: 6,000 fans are expected to attend Union Gurten’s cup hit against Rapid – they are supposed to transform the old Rieder stadium into a cauldron.

A football festival in which the Innviertler’s third division footballers are expected to do their part not only on the pitch: most recently they even helped set up fences or catering stands. Simply typical Gurten!