The winner has been decided

Sturm and GAK get off to a good start – spirits soar

Things got heated in the derby.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

The hall was packed, the atmosphere was great - the fifth Lions Club Graz charity indoor football tournament at Raiffeisen Sportpark has come to an end. The Graz derby made the hall crackle. In the end, the GAK laughed. However, both local teams, whether red or black, had nothing to do with winning the tournament.

Great atmosphere - the legends of the eight teams GAK, Sturm, Bayern, Admira, Rapid, Austria, Team Croatia and Team West (click here for the match schedule) showed that they still have a lot to offer. GAK got off to a perfect start in their mission to defend the title, beating Admira 1:0. The "red part" of the supporters - the legendary "Teufel" from the championship era Sepp Traunwieser was also there as a fan and whipper-in - celebrated along with the usual goal anthem.

Black rivals Sturm had to fight hard against FC Bayern Munich, but still managed to win the opening game 2:1 - to the sound of the Torwalzers. 

Here you can see the best pictures from the tournament:

Sturm boss Christian Jauk at least got to congratulate the women on their derby win.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Great moment in front of a full crowd for the GAK special team.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

The SK Sturm special team also took part.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Pure commitment in the special teams derby.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

The first women's derby between GAK and Sturm took place at Raiffeisen Sportpark.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Red versus black is also a contested game for the women.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

The fans cheered along.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

GAK cheers in the derby.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

A flood of goals in the derby.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Pure action.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Liendl against Prilasnig.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

The GAK fans applauded the 5:2 in the derby.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Junuzovic, Rauter and Co. were on top in the derby.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

GAK legend Zelimir Vidovic, who passed away in the 1990s, was honored posthumously on the pitch in the presence of family members.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Lions Club organizer Andi Cretnik and Ankünder-GF Dieter Weber with Zelimir Vidovic's daughter (right).(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Samir Muratovic(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Patrick Wolf(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Bomber Mario Haas and Stefan "Major" Maierhofer(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Cult goalie Savo Ekmecic(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Defending champions GAK(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Celebration at Sturm(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Dominic Hassler with Ekmecic and Mucki Wieger(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Maierhofer against Prilasnig(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Darko Bodul(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm shot down
However, the derby in the preliminary round was a clear-cut affair for GAK: all the seats were filled and the legends who had not made the teams' squads were in the stands as fans. In the end, the red faction was all smiles as GAK kicked Sturm off the pitch 5:2 after a furious avalanche of goals within a few minutes. In the stands, Sturm boss Christian Jauk, who can now only keep his fingers crossed for his team in the match for fifth place, took it sportingly and with a grin. "At least we scored the best goal in the derby."

In the end, however, neither Sturm nor GAK had anything to do with winning the tournament. The Blacks finished the tournament in sixth place, while the Reds came third after a 5-2 win against Bayern. The Croatians took the crown this time after a thrilling 6:4 final thriller against Rapid. This was the second tournament victory for the southern guests. But everyone was a winner anyway, as the focus was on a good cause. All proceeds from the Lions Club tournament are donated to needy families in Styria.