FC Blau-Weiß - LASK

Turf inspection canceled: great chance for derby!

Doomsayers had predicted the premature cancellation of the FC Blau Weiß - LASK soccer derby on Friday! But 28 hours before kick-off, BW Linz managing director Christoph Peschek let the sun rise for the fans despite the rain clouds: "We assume that the game will be played on Saturday." 

A bit of weather luck combined with an ingenious idea could have saved the derby for Blau-Weiß Linz: Firstly, Peter did not let it rain as heavily over Linz on Friday as had been feared. Secondly, the two Blau-Weiß green keepers Stefan Wieser and Helmut Schertz covered the entire pitch with large tarpaulins.

BW Linz greenkeeper Stefan Wieser covered the pitch with tarpaulins.(Bild: BW Linz)

The result: despite the cold and wet weather, the pitch was in such good condition 28 hours before kick-off that even the pre-match refereeing announced by the Bundesliga for the evening was canceled.

Salzburg game canceled

 "Especially as a Bundesliga board member passing Linz on his way from Vienna to Salzburg had stopped briefly at the Hofmann-Personal-Stadion on Friday to see the conditions for himself - and he was also in good spirits," revealed BW Linz boss Christoph Peschek on Friday afternoon. Salzburg had already had to cancel their home game against Austria Klagenfurt, also scheduled for Saturday.

The sold-out Linz derby, on the other hand, seems to be largely secured. However, referee Harald Lechner will make the final decision on whether the game can go ahead on Saturday. Four and a half hours before the kick-off scheduled for 7.30 pm.