A
ustrian outfit Wolfsberger AC are
taking part in the Europa League
group phase for the first time, but
that achievement will have to play
second fiddle to nature.
Compelled to find another “home” venue after
UEFA deemed the southerners’ Lavanttal-Arena
did not come up to scratch, WAC had hoped to
relocate to the biggest stadium in the locale –
the Worthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt.
The Worthersee, however, was already booked
for all of September and October, hosting an
avant-garde art and environmental-installation
project which involves filling the ground with
some 300 trees. As a result, Wolfsberger will
now have to set up temporary residence in Graz,
almost 80km away.
“We’ve just had a thrilling and rewarding year,
finishing third in the league and qualifying for theEuropa League” club president Dietmar Riegler
told the fans. “This is something special for our
club city and region. It’s a once-in-a-century
event. Unfortunately, we could not reach
agreement with the organisers of the ForForest
presentation. That means we have to switch to
the Merkur Arena in Graz.
“I hope that together, we can all carry on
travelling down the path we’re on. It doesn’t
matter if it takes us to Wolfsberg, Klagenfurt,
Graz or anywhere else in Europe.”
A top-flight side since 2012, WAC exist on a
miniscule budget and are bereft of star names.
Yet they still managed to out-perform more
prestigious sides such as Rapid Vienna, AustriaVienna and Sturm Graz last season.
WAC’s biggest problem this term will be
bedding in a new coach after Christian Ilzer was
lured away by Austria Vienna and replaced by
ex-Liefering boss Gerhard Struber.
Wolfsberger will rely on the inspiration of two
veterans: attacking midfielder Michael Liendl and
midfield anchor man Mario Leitgeb, who also
offers an aerial threat from dead-balls. There
are also high hopes for Israeli striker Shon
Weissman, who arrived on a free from Maccabi
Haifa. He has started the new Austrian league
campaign in blistering fashion, netting seven
goals in his first four games, including a
quadruple in the 5-0 destruction of Mattersburg.8 The Revelation
SELIM AMALLAH (Standard Liege)Recently bought for a bargain €1.5m from
Mouscron, the attacking midfielder swiftly
has become a main man for Standard. Offers
both technique and industry.6 The Goalscorer
ZE LUIS (Porto)Powerful Cape Verdean striker who has hit the
ground running on quitting Spartak Moscow this
summer for the Dragons.9 Best Europa League
Transfer Business
JOAN JORDAN (Sevilla)The outstanding Eibar central midfielder cost
Sevilla just €14m this summer – which was
€1m less than was being asked for in his release
clause fee.10 Coach to Watch
JULIEN STEPHAN (Rennes)It speaks volumes about the tactical nous of the
38-year-old that he has twice beaten the mighty
PSG in recent months in his side’s penalty
shoot-out victory in last season’s French Cup
Final and in Ligue 1 action early this term (2-1).7 The debutants
WOLFSBERGER10 TO FOLLOW