Spring kick-off

Salzburg kickers: “Have promotion in mind”

Josef Weberbauer and Admira start the title race from pole position.(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

The Austrian second division kicks off the spring on Friday. 16 Salzburg players are involved. Liefering finally has the most "Stierwoscha" in the squad.Josef Weberbauer is dreaming of the title with Admira.

The Bundesliga has already awoken from hibernation. As of today, the ball is rolling again in League Two. For 16 Salzburg clubs (see right), everything from title dreams to relegation fears is on the cards.

Liefering's fall was neither fish nor fowl, they are hoping for a better spring, which is traditionally better. At least in one statistic, the farm team is (finally) at the top: With three "Stierwoschan" in the squad, the Beichler crew has the most in the league. Josef Weberbauer can go into the second half of the season with a broad chest; the man from Tennengau is starting the championship race with Admira from pole position.

Tim Paumgartner (right) from Tennengau is one of three Salzburgers at Liefering.(Bild: FC Liefering/Christian Hofer)

"The fall went better than expected, but nothing has been decided yet. With this starting position, we already have promotion in mind," says the 26-year-old, dreaming of the second division title. Jonas Mayer at Ried can also do that, while Marco Rottensteiner and Bregenz are outsiders.

Lorenzo Coco with bottom team Horn and Matteo Meisl, who will play for Stripfing for the rest of the season as a cooperation player with Vienna Austria, have to worry about staying in the second division. Yannic Fötschl (FAC) and Tobias Berger (Lustenau) will be missed in the second half of the season; both are convalescing after tearing cruciate ligaments. Luka Reischl moved to Den Haag (Ned) in the winter, where he scored three times in five games.