Austria's fans under shock: Amo run overshadowed cheers in San Marino

Austria's fans under shock: Amo run overshadowed cheers in San Marino

San Marino, San Marino - On June 11, 2025, Austrian football fans gathered on the Rimini beach for a planned photo shoot. At this point, however, the mood was overshadowed by a tragic incident in Graz, a killing spree at a school. The fans and players were particularly affected because a young man from Oberwart had received the news, which led to shock and concern. The cheerful atmosphere of the fans, under which the “Blood Group” fan club was 66 members, changed abruptly when the music was turned off and everyone recognized the seriousness of the situation.

A total of 1500 supporters accompanied the Austrian national team for this World Cup qualification game against San Marino, which represents the highest number of fans in an away game against a “dwarf state”. The fans of various clubs - including Sturm, Rapid, Austria and Salzburg - spent time together to support their team. Under the direction of coach Ralf Rangnick, the Austrian team won the game confidently.

emotional reactions

After the killing run, team boss Ralf Rangnick was emotionally affected in the interview. He recalled the killing spree of Winnenden in March 2009 near his hometown and described the incident in Graz as an "incredible tragedy". Rangnick spoke of the many young people who lost their lives in such incidents and expressed his sympathy for the families concerned on behalf of the national team. The challenge of concentrating on football in such a difficult situation was clearly noticeable for him. He also emphasized the importance of holding together as a team and showing the audience that the group is united.

The situation in the fan curves

The events around the killing spree throw a light on the hardened willingness to use violence in the fan curves. Insiders report increasing fascination with violence and a shift to the right at various locations. Over 70 social work fan projects are under strong pressure, in particular financially, since the municipalities shorten grants. DFB and DFL bear the other half of the financing. Michael Gabriel, head of the fan projects coordination office, warns of further cuts that could endanger the social structures.

The DFB President Bernd Neuendorf announced that he is increasingly working for the fan projects, emphasizing the importance of the social infrastructure. In this tense situation, the question remains how fan scenes and social projects can be supported in the long term in order to minimize violence and to promote the cohesion of the community.

The developments related to the killing spree, the reactions of the national team and the tense conditions in the fan curves make it clear how complex and complex the topic of football and fan culture in Austria and beyond.