Hartberg celebrates cup victory: On the way to its first title!

Hartberg celebrates cup victory: On the way to its first title!

On April 3, 2025, TSV Hartberg will bring joy and relief among its supporters after the team secured a place in the final of the ÖFB Cups has secured. Captain Jürgen Heil is enthusiastic and is already planning a joint celebration with beer to honor the great success, while at the same time pointing out that they don't want to go to bed too late. Coach Manfred Schmid emphasizes the importance of the celebrations by calling the beer an “electrolyte drink.”

Now Hartberg is only one step away from the first title in the club's history. A win against Wolfsberger AC could secure the long-awaited, first Austrian football title after many years of hard work. “It’s absolute madness,” says striker Donis Avdijaj, describing the promotion to the final.

Team spirit and nostalgia

Goalie Raphael Sallinger expresses the cohesion and will of the team that was able to defeat the league leaders. Heil looks back nostalgically on the club's journey, which led from the regional league to the cup final. Despite the magnitude of the success, Heil expresses concerns about whether they will be able to fill the stadium in Klagenfurt with the 6,713 residents of Hartberg.

Avdijaj also encourages fans to support the team, including other Styrian clubs. The team is not traveling to Klagenfurt to relax, but has a clear focus on winning the cup. Background information shows that the ÖFB Cup has been held in Austria since 1919 and offers small clubs a second chance at a title, regardless of their placement in the league.

Preparation for the final

The anticipation for the final is great, not least because TSV Hartberg has come an amazing way to get here. The club is also seen as a surprise team as the competition is played in a knockout format, where unexpected results are often achieved. This means that smaller clubs can also assert themselves against Bundesliga teams, which is particularly attractive for the fans and players.

As the entire team prepares for the upcoming final, the tension around the club becomes palpable. With the final on May 1, 2025 in sight, Hartberg is on the verge of joining the ranks of ÖFB Cup winners, an honor that has been dominated in recent years by clubs like Red Bull Salzburg and Austria.