Bregenz vs. Lustenau

The rebirth of a Vorarlberg derby

In the 1999/2000 season, Oliver Mattle (left) and Jeff Geiger (on the ground) battled it out with Theo Grüner.(Bild: Dietmar Stiplovsek)

23 years ago, SW Bregenz and Austria Lustenau were bitter rivals when they competed against each other in the Bundesliga. After the Green-Whites were relegated, the two clubs developed in completely different ways. The derby celebrates a comeback on the national holiday.

After more than 23 years, SW Bregenz and Austria Lustenau will meet again on the national holiday. It will be the first championship match between the two former arch-rivals since April 20, 2000. In the 1999/2000 season, Austria and Bregenz played in the Bundesliga. The 2-0 win for the Black & Whites in the last derby sealed Lustenau's relegation.

Erik Regtop (l.) moved from Austria Lustenau to SW Bregenz in the winter of 1999.(Bild: Dietmar Stiplovsek)

There was bad blood during the winter break when Bregenz president Hans Grill used Stronach (Schilling) millions to lure Austria playmaker Erik Regtop from the Rhine to Lake Constance. Austria president Hubert Nagel renounced the Stronach money. However, the Bundesliga ended in a total crash for SW Bregenz after six seasons. Relegation and the refusal of a license were followed by investigations by the public prosecutor's office and bankruptcy.

The claims amounted to €5.76 million and the insolvency proceedings were only concluded in 2012. SW Bregenz only returned to professional soccer in 2023, having played in the lower division as SC Bregenz in the meantime.

Former Bregenz president Hans Grill (left) with former Sturm Graz coach Gilbert Gress.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Solid Austria
Austria's development was much more solid. After relegation, they were a permanent guest in League Two for 22 years and made their comeback to the Bundesliga in 2022. After two seasons, however, the intermezzo was over again. The biggest upset was the "revolt" against long-term president Hubert Nagel in January 2019, which prompted the now 73-year-old to resign.

Since then, the club has been run by a five-member board. Austria has consolidated economically, posting a profit of 401,000 euros in the previous season. What the two clubs currently have in common is their shared stadium. Lustenau, of all clubs, indirectly helped its old rival to a stadium suitable for the Bundesliga.