LASK before the cup final: The first triumph in 1965 had a tragic hero

The history of LASK is inseparable from one another pleasing climax connected, but it also has a sad aftertaste. Because said story also with the name Carlos Lima, affectionately “Chico” called, is connected. The Brazilian was one of the faces of the 1965 first doubles for a team from the federal states.

The success story of the traditional Linz club was a story that was told in ten days. It was initiated by “Chico”, who scored the gold goal in the 1-0 away win in the first cup final game in Wiener Neustadt. In the second leg, a 1-1 draw against the Lower Austrians was enough for the athletes.

“Chico” has long been the name of LASK’s mascot: Ein Disney style zebra mascotwhich was presented in a new look in 2019.

“Chico” was no longer alive by then. The extremely quick and talented winger died completely impoverished in Linz’s Sonnenhof in 1994. In an editorial office in Linz, “Chico” begged for money with a plastic bag in his hand. He just became 58 years old.

The even greater success was celebrated a few days later with the first championship title of a federal state team (until 1973 it was called the State League). On July 3rd, the team led by coach Frantisek Bufka won 2-0 against Vienna at the Hohe Warte. The next day the KURIER headlined on the front page: “Linz in LASK frenzy”. The scorer was then Dolfi Blutsch and the Hungarian Gyula Szabo. “The cheering no longer knows any bounds, all barriers are breaking at LASK and the fans who traveled with them.”

Dolfi Blutsch, now 85 years old and an Upper Austrian legend, looked after the LASK several times from 1978 onwards. In 1992/93 he became the first Western coach in Poland after the fall of the Iron Curtain and led the GKS Katowice to the 1993 Cup victory.

Not to be forgotten was the star striker in the team at that time Helmut Köglbergerwho then became champions and cup winners several times with Vienna Austria and played 28 times for the Austrian national team. Köglberger, who died in 2018 and was occasionally captain, scored six goals.

In the 1980s, they made it into the European Cup several times; in 1985, Inter Milan were defeated 1-0 at home – but lost 4-0 away. Relegations, promotions and financial disasters followed. In 2012, the Linzers were denied a license for professional football. LASK came back again – and is on the verge of a major coup under coach Didi Kühbauer. Because Linz is also in pole position in the championship race.