In a tactical final between two underdogs, Wolfsberger AC narrowly defeated TSV Hartberg 1–0. In front of 20,500 fans at Klagenfurt’s Wörthersee Stadium, substitute Gattermayer scored the winning goal for WAC, who are celebrating their first ÖFB Cup title.
Wolfsberger AC have written themselves into the history books of the ÖFB Football Cup. In front of 20,500 spectators in Klagenfurt on Thursday, Wolfsberger won the final against TSV Hartberg 1-0 (0-0) and celebrated their first victory in the competition. Substitute Gattermayer scored the only goal of the game in the 77th minute, just 90 seconds after coming on.
Coach Kühbauer’s team earned a deserved victory thanks to a number of high-quality chances. In the Bundesliga, the Carinthians are doing well in the championship group, while Hartberg is playing in the qualifying group. WAC even still has a chance of winning a sensational double. The third-placed team is only three points behind the current league leaders Austria Vienna. One thing is certain: the “Wolves” will be playing in the European Cup in the summer. If the club finishes first or second in the league, it will start in the Champions League qualifiers, otherwise it will start in the Europa League qualifiers.
Relief for WAC in the 77th minute
Both clubs had left no stone unturned to create the right atmosphere. Fifty buses had left Hartberg, and the “blue wall” in the fan sector was intended to inspire the Styrians. The two coaches, former cup winners Schmid and Kühbauer, had no surprises in store. Unlike in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Salzburg, Pink and Ballo started in attack for WAC again. Hartberg, who had been virtually impenetrable defensively in the final, relied on their compactness and counterattacks. Both coaches sent their teams out in a 3-4-3 formation.
Olympic sailing champion Vadlau brought the trophy onto the field, skiing star Schwarz took the honorary kick-off, and then the game began. In the cautious early stages, Hartberg had more possession, but WAC were the first team to create a dangerous chance in the 12th minute. Ballo had a shot in the penalty area, but his attempt was blocked. In the 25th minute, teammate Zukic thundered the ball against the crossbar from a promising position—the best chance of the entire first half. Shortly after, Piesinger also hit the aluminum with a header from a corner kick.
After the break, Drew (48) almost gave Hartberg the chance to celebrate a goal after Komposch had set him up. The Australian created time and space for himself with a feint in the penalty area and fired a left-footed shot towards the far corner, but missed by a narrow margin. However, WAC took control again. Piesinger rose highest again in the 63th minute after a corner, but headed over. A combination of two substitutes gave the Lavanttalers the lead 14 minutes later: Omic delivered a perfect cross into the penalty area from the right, where Gattermayer got his head to the ball and sent it into the left corner. In the 81st minute, Sallinger prevented the 22-year-old from scoring a brace. Hartberg’s final offensive came to nothing.
