The 16th international memorial tournament once again produced a winner from Austria’s football capital – Austria Vienna.

In the preliminary round, Vienna Austria emerged as the tournament favorite with convincing performances, but the later semifinalists from Nottingham, Wolfsburg, and Sittard also showed their class.

The regional clubs also provided a few surprises and were rewarded for their hard work. SV Gottsdorf secured a sensational draw against the German representative from Wolfsburg. The local players from FC Leonhofen fought hard for a 0-0 draw against the Admira youth academy and celebrated a well-deserved and much-celebrated 2-0 victory against Austria Salzburg in front of many spectators in the afternoon.

After the preliminary round on Sunday morning, the places for the two semifinals were also determined. First, Vienna Austria defeated VfL Wolfsburg in an exciting match with 2-1. In the second semifinal, Fortuna Sittard prevailed over the English traditional club from Nottingham with 1-0.

After the traditional playing of the anthems, the placement matches followed. Since the weather was not on the side of football this year either, the first 4 duels were decided in a penalty shootout. In the match for third place, Nottingham Forest celebrated a 3-2 victory against VfL Wolfsburg in an exciting and offensive game.

Then came the grand final – FK Austria Vienna against Fortuna Sittard. Austria Vienna could not quite match their performances, and Fortuna Sittard made it even harder for them with physical and technical play. The spectators got to see everything that belongs to a football game – except goals – so it went to a penalty shootout. In this shootout, the goalkeeper of Vienna Austria became the hero and helped the Violets to the tournament victory.

Final standings:

1. FK Austria Vienna
2. Fortuna Sittard
3. Nottingham Forest
4. VfL Wolfsburg
5. Trenkwalder Admira
6. SK Rapid Vienna
7. FK Dukla Banska Bystrica
8. Lyngby BK
9. SV Austria Salzburg
10. FC Vienna
11. FC Leonhofen
12. SV Gottsdorf
13. NSG Alpenvorland
14. ASK Loosdorf

Best player: Gnahore Wilfred (Nottingham Forest) Best goalkeeper: Mitmasser Dominik (SV Gottsdorf) Top scorer: Wato Glodi – 9 goals (Fortuna Sittard)