Football: Austria Wien Starts Season Against European Cup Newcomer Spaeri Tiflis
For Wiener Austria, the season preparation is over. With the home match against Spaeri Tiflis on Thursday (8:30 PM/live ORF1), the football Bundesliga club starts the European Cup season and thus the competitive match program. Against the Georgian second division team and 2024 cup winner, coach Stephan Helm's team is clearly favored in the second round of the Conference League qualification. "We want to make a real statement right from the start," announced Helm.
9,000 Fans Expected for Austria's European Cup Home Game
While last year the European Cup adventure was already over after the qualification opener against Ilves Tampere from Finland, things should go better this year. "I think we are a step further than last year," explained sports director Jürgen Werner on Wednesday at a media event, pointing to the significant personnel changes last year both in the team and the coaching staff. "I am confident that we now have A) a well-rehearsed team and B) have strengthened ourselves well in specific areas. I hope that will be evident tomorrow," said Werner.
In the Franz-Horr-Stadion, 9,000 fans are expected for the first leg, with the east stand already sold out. "We definitely want to take control right away. If we reach our performance maximum, then we are strong enough to advance to the next round," said Helm, who expects a defensive opponent waiting to counter. "We need solutions for that, but we are prepared."
Austria is Spaeri Tiflis' First Ever European Cup Opponent
Spaeri is the dominant leader in Georgia's second league. The team of coach Anzor Kighuradze is, however, an unknown entity internationally and is making their European Cup debut against Austria. Even for Otar Kiteishvili, the club, founded only in 2017, is almost an unknown. The surprising cup victory was noted by the Georgian playmaker from Austria's champion Sturm Graz. "Otherwise, I don't know much about this team. Georgian teams are well-prepared and have technically good players. Physically, Austria will certainly have advantages. Otherwise, I can't say much. I support the Georgian team."
The winner of the duel will face Legia Warsaw or Banik Ostrava in the third qualifying round. But Austria is not thinking that far ahead yet. On Sunday, the first ÖFB Cup hurdle Voitsberg awaits in West Styria, before the return match in Georgia takes place next Thursday (6:00 PM).
(APA/Red)
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