Report 2009
Rapid Wien was crowned the winner of the 15th international memorial tournament.
Even during the preliminary round games on Saturday, despite the bad weather, top-class football was displayed on the perfect pitches of FCL. After the final preliminary round matches on Sunday morning, the two semifinals were determined.
The big Vienna derby was a very fast-paced game at a technically high level, which Rapid won in a penalty shootout thanks to an outstanding goalkeeper. In the second semifinal, our Dutch guests from Sittard secured victory with a last-minute goal against Bayer Leverkusen.
Thus, the final was set: Rapid Vienna vs. Fortuna Sittard. In front of packed stands, spectators were treated to an exciting final. Sittard took the lead twice, but the Green-Whites managed to equalize each time, leading to a penalty shootout.
In this penalty shootout thriller, emotions ran high. Sittard’s second shooter hit the ball squarely into the top corner, and the ball bounced back out. Whether the ball actually crossed the line completely cannot be answered, but the officials ruled it as a missed attempt. The Dutch team never recovered from this shock, and Rapid did not let the victory slip away.
Final standings:
- Rapid Vienna
- Fortuna Sittard
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- FK Austria Vienna
- FC Admira
- Eintracht Frankfurt
- Sturm Graz
- LASK Linz
- AC Sparta Prague
- Hertha BSC Berlin
- ASK Loosdorf
- NSG Alpenvorland
- SV Oberndorf
- FC Leonhofen
Top scorers: Pirker Kevin (Sturm Graz) and Muadi Drancy (Leverkusen) – 8 goals
Best player: Csitkovits Marco (Austria Vienna)
Best goalkeeper: Pepl Fabian (Rapid Vienna)
