Summit of the goalies

Dreams of the European Championship and an international fall

Vitezslav Jaros wants to recommend himself for the European Championship via Sturm.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm have been unbeaten against Hartberg for five "Styrian summit duels" - a curious fact: Siebenhandl, Schützenauer, Okonkowo, Scherpen and Jaros are five different goalkeepers in the Graz box since the last defeat on 3. 10. 2021 (2:3). On Sunday, European Championship candidate Vitezslav Jaros wants to continue the positive trend in the duel with Hartberg's Raphael Sallinger.

"Every game is now very important in the title fight," says Vit Jaros, "so I really hope that we can take the three points with us on Sunday. I would be disappointed if we don't win!" The 22-year-old Czech doesn't want to say too much about Hartberg and goalscorer Entrup, but he doesn't deny that the championship title and cup win would be strong arguments for a start at the EURO in Germany: "Unfortunately, I'm not the team boss who picks the team, but if I keep going like this, I have a chance."

His senior team debut against Norway and Armenia was a highlight: "I didn't get to play, but it was exciting. We have a lot of good goalkeepers in the Czech Republic, the number one Jindrich Stanek from Slavia Prague is very experienced and we also have Matej Kovar from Leverkusen, but it would be nice for me to play."

His employers Liverpool, with whom he is in contact before and after every game, are also keeping a close eye on Graz, which is why Vit's appetite for trophies is great: "I've only ever won the Irish Cup once with St. Patrick's, so I hope I can do it again. Everyone likes to win!"

Raphael Sallinger wants to start a series with Hartberg.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Hartberg goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger, who has increased his market value to 700,000 euros after a strong season, studied Sturm during the 4-3 win in Salzburg in the Cup: "We're facing a real unit with international class that has a clear philosophy and follows its plan." He knows Christian Ilzer's style from their time together at WAC: "Chris was co-trainer with Heimo Pfeifenberger. A really cool guy who lives and breathes soccer. He instilled a winning mentality in Sturm - they never give up!"

Even though he has words of praise for his counterpart Jaros ("A really good goalie, but whoever is at Liverpool must have something"), he sees the greatest danger in Kiteishvili: "He stands out. But Horvat, Prass and the others can also really hurt you."

The 28-year-old from Klagenfurt is therefore also pleased that Avdijaj, Sangare and Pfeifer are back after suspensions: "That's good for us! Because in terms of squad depth, we're at a bit of a disadvantage against the big teams."

And Hartberg are eager for their first success in the championship round: "We had a phenomenal fall, but took a step backwards in the spring," says Salli honestly, "but soccer is a day-to-day business, things can happen quickly. You can quickly take two steps forward with a win against Sturm. Everything is very tight in the race for the international places in the fall. But we have to start a series now."