Rapids' next hurdle

Shamrock? This is no longer a “pub team”

The Irish are coming: Captain Lopes and Co. are flying high.(Bild: AP/PA Wire)

Rapid have marched through the Conference League without a blemish with three wins so far and can take the next step towards the round of 16 at home on Thursday (9pm). The opponent sounds like an Irish pub: Shamrock Rovers! But behind the green and whites from Dublin is an interesting underdog. Especially the goalie is curious ...

Around 800 Irishmen are on their way. There's hardly a pub in Vienna that won't be bursting at the seams on Thursday. There's a Shamrock pub in every city by now. The shamrock is also the unofficial national symbol of Ireland, which is why it adorns the crest of Rovers, who will be Rapids' fourth opponents in the Conference League on Thursday. And they are no longer a pub team ...