Austria: One of the biggest rivals in Austria met after 9 years again in the Austrian cup

Photos: UiSF.de
Update with photos from: Losmisenas Groundhopping

The second round of the Austrian Cup brought us the duel of traditional teams of Austria Salzburg and Sturm Graz. After 9 years both met each other again. It is also the duel of 2 of the best supporters groups in Austria.

Both were motivated for weeks, tickets for the away section were sold out soon. The game must be played in Vöcklabruck again because of security reasons and the bigger capacity. Game was sold out on match day and (because of live show in TV) it was an evening game.

So everything was fine for a good show. Graz traveled with 900 supporters to Vöcklabruck. A really good number for a week day. Most of them took the bus and so 9 buses arrived at the ground. When police escorted the first 2 buses to the parking lot, home fans (around 40 waited on the opposite street site) attacked the convoi. Graz jumped out of the first buses, short contact and then police forced back the away fans. From the buses behind other supporters came out and ran on Salzburg (some flares and bottles were thrown) but they react soon and fight them back in their buses. Police took control over this scene and so the game could start.

Tough Guys Salzburg made a nice display consisting of violet-white flags and a detailed banner. Away fans had a really shitty section (straight section without any stages, fences in front of them and overcrowded) but organized their support very well with 6 capos on the fence and many flares and strobos.

Because of the better covered section the home fans were louder, but it was on a high level from both sides. Austria Salzburg also showed flares a few times and in halftime they had a big pyrotechnic intro.

On the opposite side Sturm destroyed the fences and threw them on the pitch. Austria Salzburg as an 3rd league team had no chance against the 1st league team, Sturm. So the game was decided after first half. In the end Sturm won by 5:0. But home support never ended.
After the game police had another bad tactics and let the away busses waiting on the street behind the home parking lot. Sturm Graz fans went to their buses and tried to come out of police barrier and another fight started (around 20 on each side). Salzburg tried it a few times to get through the busses but police answered with pepper gas and batons. So both sides started to throw bottles, flares, rockets and rods on each other.

Everything you could throw was used (one guy tried to break through police barrier with a shopping cart). A few guys were injured and some arrested. After some time the situation calmed down and away fans could go back to Graz (one bus missed some windows).

Guests: Sturm Graz with Karlsruhe, Austria Salzburg with 6xUdine, 3xBarletta and 8xSaarbrücken. Good show from both teams, but the punishment won´t be so low.

Report written by Austria fan.

SV Austria Salzburg

SK Sturm Graz

After the match

Video