Admira Wacker wins Austrian final at the 21st Dr. Nimmrichter Memorial Tournament!

The weather threw a spanner in the works for the organizers and turned the tournament schedule upside down. Despite adverse conditions, with the dedicated efforts of many volunteers, the tournament was successfully carried out.

In consultation with all participating teams, the group stage was concluded after just four preliminary round matches, all of which were played in a shortened format (1×15 instead of 2×12 minutes) and only on one pitch. Accordingly, the top 4 teams from both groups qualified for the quarterfinals already on Saturday.

The morning of the final Sunday was not focused on football but primarily dedicated to pitch maintenance. More than 30 helpers worked tirelessly with shovels, wet vacuums, rollers, etc., to remove as much water and mud from the field as possible.

Fortunately, the heavy rain stayed away, allowing for a competitive final. The quarterfinals, which began promptly at noon, featured three Austrian Bundesliga teams: Admira Wacker, the two traditional clubs from Vienna, FK Austria and SK Rapid Vienna, as well as Stoke City.

In the two thrilling semifinal matches, Admira Wacker and SK Rapid Vienna emerged victorious. Before the small and grand finals, the remaining places were decided. In two regional derbies, the youth joint teams Petzenkirchen against the host FC Leonhofen and NSG Loosdorf against NSG Oberndorf emerged as the eleventh and thirteenth-placed teams, respectively. In the match for fifth place, the cult club St. Pauli from Hamburg defeated the Styrian top club SK Sturm Graz. The U14 team of Bundesliga promoted side FC Ingolstadt secured 7th place against FC Red Bull Salzburg. In the match for third place, FK Austria Vienna ensured that the podium shone in red-white-red glory. Austria secured third place with a 2-0 win on penalties against the British participants Stoke City.

The all-Austrian final was a tight affair, but in the end, Admira deservedly triumphed over Rapid Vienna with a score of 1-0.

Result:

1. Admira Wacker

2. SK Rapid Wien

3. FK Austria Wien

4. Stoke City

5. FC St. Pauli

6. SK Sturm Graz

7. FC Ingolstadt

8. Red Bull Salzburg

9. NAC Breda

10. FC Augsburg

11. NSG Petzenkirchen

12. NSG Leonhofen

13. Loosdorf

14. NSG Oberndorf

Best player: Samuel Stückler (SK Sturm Graz)

Best keeper: Leon Musial (FC Ingolstadt)

Top scorer: Lukas Fahrnberger ( SK Rapid Wien) – 4 Tore