Before the 1-1 draw against Sturm Graz, the Blue and White coach grabbed the snow shovel

It was the hardest-earned point in FC Blau-Weiß Linz’s rise since promotion to the Bundesliga. In the 1-1 (1-0) draw against SK Sturm Graz, coach Gerald Scheiblehner not only had his team well prepared for the 100-minute game (including ten minutes of stoppage time in the second half). Before that, he had already appeared as a snow shoveler and motivator. At 7 a.m. Scheiblehner was one of 70 volunteers already on the pitch to clear the snow from the lawn.

And he had used his motivational skills there too. This is what he said on Saturday when asked whether he would also be clearing away the snow on match day: “If the OÖN are also there and shoveling, then of course I’ll come too.” A through ball that arrived and was picked up.

Video: BW coach Gerald Scheiblehner in an interview:

Scheiblehner’s coaching team was also insulted: “You can tell who the real pushers are,” said assistant coach Ronald Riepl with a full snow shovel in his hand. Scheiblehner’s answer: “You are more responsible for the rough work, I am responsible for the fine work…” After almost an hour and a half of work, at 8.45 a.m. we went straight to the common meeting point with the team, who were treated to a top performance by the many volunteers. Performance thanked.

Seidl gives his goal to the fans

In a place where a game had never even been dreamed of on Saturday, Simon Seidl gave the Blue-Whites the lead after 19 minutes. “If my blue and white team scores a goal in this penalty area, I will have a big part in it,” a fan had joked hours earlier during the clearing operation in that penalty area. Goalscorer Seidl gave him a goal for his hard work: “It’s not a given that so many people get up so soon so that we can play. On Saturday I thought to myself that the game would probably be nothing. And then I saw the photos , where so many people pitched in. This point also belongs to the fans.”

Video: BW goalie Nicolas Schmid in an interview:

And the hard-working coaching team – even if Coach Scheiblehner doesn’t want to make a big deal out of it: “My presence wasn’t important, but that of the many fans. You can notice the euphoria that is currently around the club. For me it was a morning sport and a Great experience to create something together.” Sturm coach Christian Ilzer also praised the good conditions despite the icy cold: “Better than in Graz,” he said with a smile.