Storm's Geyrhofer

“We want to reward our fans with the maximum”

Niklas Geyrhofer (2nd from left) surprised everyone in Salzburg with a beautiful header.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Final! With a strong performance and an incredible 4:3 scoreline, Sturm secured their place in the Cup final against league leaders Salzburg, where they will once again face Rapid in Klagenfurt on May 1st. Niklas Geyrhofer, the only Graz-born player in the starting eleven, was the symbolic embodiment of the huge sensation with his most beautiful career goal.

More than 12,000 Sturm fans made the pilgrimage to Carinthia last season for the 2:0 final victory against Rapid - a mega-caravan over the Pack is guaranteed again this year, which makes Niklas Geyrhofer infinitely happy after his second competitive goal: "At first I forgot about my goal in the Cup in Hohenems during the interview, but of course I was even happier about this goal in Salzburg!"

The decisive factor for the victory was the great reaction after the 0:1 knockout on Sunday: "After this defeat, we had a lot of plans and also believed that anything is possible in a single game where everything is at stake. This time we were much better in offense and had everything under control for the most part."

Salzburg's team goalie Alex Schlager had to write off his hopes of winning the double.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The 24-year-old humbly shrugged off the fact that, as a trained defender, he was the perfect replacement for Jon Stankovic, who was suspended, as a six-man: "I only have one favorite position and that's the one the coach puts me in."

Of course, winning the cup again is the big goal: "Our many fans will give us a big push again, and we want to reward them with the maximum. Last year's 2-0 win was the first title for many of us, including myself, and we want to experience that again."

The Sturm fans are already eager for the next mass migration to Klagenfurt.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

But now all that matters is the league: "We've already forgotten about the cup, LASK are a tough opponent on Sunday. All that's left for us now are the final games, all of which we want to win - and then we'll see what Salzburg do." Cup hardships don't count: "We're used to English rounds from the European Cup, this experience won't hurt us."

LASK await Tomi Horvat and the Blacks on Sunday.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Whether the Eggenberger will remain in his hometown of Graz is still open: "Nothing has been signed yet, but I'm confident that I'll stay in Graz." Immediate follow-up from the former GAK youth player: "If I stay in Graz, then only with Sturm."

Although he would welcome derbies with the Reds: "Derbies are something special, it will be a spectacle for the city that everyone looks forward to."