Stocksport state league

With nerves of steel to a thriller victory

Straßwalchen emerged first from the horror group in the State Stocksport League and is through to the quarter-finals. Defending champions Tal Leoben are relegated. Thalgau 1 is national champion after a photo finish.

From winning Group A to relegation: for Straßwalchen's stick sports team, everything was in the "draw" on Saturday at the final round of the state league at defending champions Tal Leoben. At the end of an incredible thriller, they won the deciding round 6-5 after trailing 3-5. "You needed nerves of steel," admitted team leader Werner Baumgartner, who - after the home side had fumbled and then taken risks - secured the three-pointer with the last shot.

The defending champions were cemented in the relegation places - the ultimate punishment for the title hamster. "An unbelievable day. What can I say, quarter-finals at home and that in this mixed season. Congratulations to my team," said Baumgartner, totally happy. The opponent for a place in the Final Four: Wenigzell (St).

Salzburg's second representative Wolfgrub lost 3:7 in St. Peter. The promoted team remains third in the league.

The championship play-off in the Riedersbach European Championship Hall was also extremely close. Three teams jumped onto the podium with identical points. Which is why the difference in stick points was the deciding factor.

 Thalgau 1 were crowned champions, ahead of Straßwalchen 2, who snatched the second ticket for Bundesliga 2 from under their noses with a victory in the last game over the champion "spectators" Wals 2.R. Groiß