An unusual rapid game with blessings from above

because thanks to the financial commitment of the patron (and former Rank-Xerox-Europe general) Erich Crisis who was also discussed as Rapid President, the small club from Marchfeld advanced to the Bundesliga II area;

but above all because Stripfing’s dedicated chairman Christoph Pelczar Pastor of the large community of Gänserndorf and at the same time the official pastor of the SK Rapid.

Living on the other side of the Danube in Weikendorf, Pelczar, who previously also worked in the Rapid youth team, is not only drawn to Hütteldorf for games, but there is an interreligious prayer room in the Rapid stadium, which opened in 2016, in which the Reverend celebrated “around 70 baptisms and 20 weddings.” has undertaken.

The rosary prayer, which takes place every Wednesday in the Weikendorf church, has been brought forward to Tuesday, October 29th. Because on the 30th the Styrian referee (and former prison guard) Alexander Harkam Stripfing – Rapid kicks off at 6:15 p.m. And where?

Not in Austria’s swanky Favoritner Generali Arena, which serves as an alternative base for SV Stripfing until its mini-sports facility is renovated for Bundesliga II games. After the derby scandal, the ÖFB said that for safety reasons Rapids had to refrain from competing in the Cup near Austria.

That’s why the Rapidlers, like in the preliminary round, are considered Dion Beljo scored twice in the 3-1 win against Donaufeld, arrived at the Hohe Warte…

… where Austria’s oldest football club, Vienna, is not allowed to play its home games in the event of promotion to the Bundesliga because the Döblinger Naturarena, which was (still?) the largest sports facility on the continent in the interwar period with a capacity of 80,000, due to Bundesliga regulations is not suitable for the upper house;

… where 4,750 spectators are allowed to experience Stripfing – Rapid with the blessing from above (= the football association);

… and where – as with all other round of 16 games – in contrast to Bundesliga I and international matches, there will be no video assistant in action.

Especially since the cup has its own laws.