"Horror of Graz": ÖFB Team Reports Difficult Emotional State During Match Against San Marino

The rampage in the Styrian capital just a few hours earlier had left the players in a state of shock. With Marcel Sabitzer, Michael Gregoritsch, and Romano Schmid, three players were on the field in Serravalle who grew up in Graz. "In the end, football is something that brings people together, and where you can demonstrate solidarity. That's what we tried to show," said Sabitzer in a calm voice. "We hope that somehow it gets better."

ÖFB Team with Mourning Band and Minute of Silence Instead of Serravalle Cancellation

Sabitzer commemorated the victims in Graz. "If you've experienced things yourself that aren't so nice and strokes of fate, then you can empathize," said the 31-year-old, who still has friends and family in Styria. "We inquired about the situation, how things are. Everyone is, of course, very shocked. And as I said, it affects you personally as well."

Nevertheless, it was not an option for the ÖFB players to not play in Serravalle. "Maybe we still reached some people and were able to distract them in difficult times," Sabitzer hoped. Gregoritsch saw it similarly, who barely celebrated after his goal to make it 2-0: "We did our job very, very well in the first 35 minutes. And that was the least we could do here, to at least bring a few percent of joy back home."

A cancellation was not an issue from the players' side. "I believe it's important that we as a group don't stop being there for Austria," said Gregoritsch. "We are the highest national team. And I believe that it's not always right to back down." However, the mourning band and minute of silence were important to the players.

Fans Also Show Great Respect and Solidarity

In addition, there were the traveling fans who gave up their original choreography and showed solidarity with the victims and relatives of the deadly attack in Graz. "Our country is not always as bad as we might think," praised Gregoritsch. "We are already very, very united in many things, and yet something like this must never happen again. It is terrible. It is unfortunately so close, and that is the terrible thing." According to his own statements, the ÖFB striker grew up only ten minutes away from the affected school in Graz.

Arnautovic also appeared completely dismayed, scoring two goals in San Marino, bringing his ÖFB tally to 41 and approaching Toni Polster's record (44), but he did not want to talk about football. "Don't ask me anything about the game. I'm not happy, I'm not interested," emphasized the Viennese in front of journalists. He was only thinking about what had happened in Graz. "Because it is horror. I had to hold back my emotions all day."

His wife and daughters were in the stadium. Primarily, Arnautovic wanted to be with them. "We all have families at home, we all have children at home. We should talk about the safety of our children," said the 36-year-old. "The football game doesn't matter at all. I have no desire to talk about football anymore." The deputy captain for David Alaba expressed respect for the performance of the team and the fans. "But we shouldn't really be happy on this day."

Mixed feelings for Honsak at international debut against San Marino

Mathias Honsak also reacted with mixed feelings, as he played his first international match. "It is a huge shock for every Austrian, whether from Graz, Vienna, Tyrol, or Salzburg. It simply has no place in the world, it really hurts my heart," explained the Viennese. On the other hand, there was his A-team debut at 28 years old. "I am a little happy about my debut - won 4:0, but what happened in Graz overshadows everything a bit. In such a situation, you have to stick together."

The majority of the ÖFB players are now heading off on vacation. Only Konrad Laimer and Sabitzer are flying with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, respectively, to the Club World Cup in the USA. "It is a privilege to be able to participate," said Sabitzer about the tournament, which is being held for the first time with 32 teams. "Not many more will come in my career." More ÖFB players want to spend the coming summer in North America. The "real" World Cup will open on June 11, 2026, exactly one year from now.

(APA/Red.)

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