Spherical-up of the goings-on over the summer time
The brand new ADMIRAL Bundesliga season is about to kick off. An ideal time to try all 12 groups, key modifications to the league, summer time transfers, and the preliminary aggressive outcomes for every membership.
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ADMIRAL Bundesliga: No factors divided, fewer European spots and new guidelines
The ADMIRAL Bundesliga’s competitors format stays unchanged, although there may be one important adjustment: the follow of dividing factors in two after the common season has been abolished. The schedule has additionally been modified – because the winter break ends sooner than traditional this 12 months, with groups again in motion as early as January 23.
Austrian golf equipment now have a mixed whole of 4 European qualifying spots out there throughout the league and the cup: the league champion enters the UEFA Champions League second qualifying spherical for the 2027/28 season, whereas the runner-ups and the winners of the European play-off each enter the UEFA Convention League second qualifying spherical. The cup winner begins within the UEFA Europa League’s first qualifying spherical – although if they’ve already secured a (higher) spot through the league, the cup spot reverts to the league.
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There are additionally stricter measures in opposition to time-wasting, just like these not too long ago used on the World Cup: if a objective kick or throw-in takes too lengthy, a countdown will start earlier than sanctions – reminiscent of a nook kick or a change of possession for a throw-in – are utilized. Substituted gamers should now depart the pitch inside ten seconds – in any other case, the substitute can’t enter the sector till one minute after play has resumed. The identical applies to harm therapy – leaving the pitch is obligatory, and a participant can’t return till at the least one minute has handed. The purpose of those rule modifications is to attain more practical taking part in time and a smoother circulation of the sport.
LASK: Now the hunted
Because the reigning double winners, LASK now discover themselves because the workforce to beat within the league – an unfamiliar place for the Linz-based membership. Coach Dietmar Kühbauer’s squad remained largely intact, with solely focused modifications made after the title win: defender Keba Cisse moved to England to affix Aston Villa, whereas Sasa Kalajdzic returned to Wolves following the top of his mortgage spell. As a substitute, the midfield and defence have been bolstered by gamers reminiscent of Alessandro Schöpf and Robert Ljubicic, in addition to new signings Miguel Freckleton and Manoel Verhaeghe. Juggling European competitors and the home league schedule will possible show difficult for the champions as their squad continues to be fairly skinny – significantly in assault, with new signing Ramiz Harakate sidelined for the long run attributable to harm. On the European stage, LASK start their marketing campaign within the UEFA Champions League play-offs, whereas within the home cup, they not too long ago secured a commanding 7–0 victory over Kalsdorf.
SK Sturm: Ingolitsch’s facet able to seize the second
After profitable two consecutive league titles, Sturm completed as runners-up final season. Over the summer time, the Graz-based membership prioritised Bundesliga expertise when recruiting new gamers – reminiscent of Simon Seidl and Jürgen Heil – and likewise added a brand new center-forward, Nelson Weiper, on mortgage from Mainz. A number of long-serving gamers – Emir Karic, Dimitri Lavalee, and Stefan Hierländer (who retired) – left Fabio Ingolitsch’s squad. On the European stage, Sturm prevailed in opposition to Coronary heart of Midlothian with a 6–0 mixture rating within the second UEFA Champions League qualifying spherical, whereas within the cup, they recorded a 3–0 victory over Seekirchen.
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FK Austria Vienna: Stephan Helm able to construct additional
It was a busy summer time within the switch marketplace for Austria Vienna because the membership noticed three notable departures -Abubakr Barry (who moved to our Crimson Bulls), Ifeanyi Ndukwe (Liverpool) and Konstantin Aleksa (Hoffenheim). The Violets proceed to be managed by Stephan Helm, who’s now getting into his third season with the workforce. Within the cup, Austria gained 5–0 in opposition to Wiener Sport-Membership within the first spherical, whereas in Europe, they superior previous Liepaja within the second qualifying spherical of the UEFA Convention League.
SK Fast: Clean begin to season
Coach Johannes Hoff Thorup, in cost for the reason that spring, carried out a brand new taking part in philosophy in the course of the pre-season that includes a considerably extra attacking method, with out essentially overhauling the squad. New Danish signing Tonni Adamsen is predicted to offer extra firepower in assault, whereas long-time key participant Andreas Weimann left the membership on a free switch. In Europe, Fast superior to the UEFA Convention League within the second qualifying spherical with a 9-3 mixture victory in opposition to Santa Coloma, and a 3-0 win in opposition to Wienerberg was sufficient to safe their place within the second spherical of the cup.
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TSV Hartberg: New-look opening opponents
Numerous modifications have taken place in Hartberg following the departure of Manfred Schmid. Markus Schopp, a well-recognized face, has returned to the sidelines and now additionally serves as Technical Director. Captain Jürgen Heil moved to runners-up SK Sturm, and striker Elias Havel and Tom Ritzy Hülsmann additionally left for worldwide golf equipment. As a substitute in objective, Liverpool loanee Armin Pecsi has arrived, whereas new signing Angelo Gattermayer, amongst others, will likely be anticipated to compensate for the dearth of objectives in assault. Oliver Lukic will even be taking part in for them on mortgage this season. We’ll get our first impression this Saturday once we host TSV Hartberg for our residence opener on the Crimson Bull Area!
WSG Tirol: All change in Wattens
At WSG Tirol, the transformation following the departure of quite a few key gamers continues to be in full swing. With captain and high attacker Valentino Müller and several other different common starters from final season, virtually a whole beginning XI left the membership. Among the many new faces is goalkeeper Salko Hamzic, a expertise from our personal academy. Coach Philipp Semlic stays with the Tyrolean facet and is getting into his third season with them. Staying within the league stays the first goal earlier than any larger ambitions might be thought of. Within the cup, WSG convincingly defeated Wieselburg 6-0 within the first spherical.
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SCR Altach: A break from relegation battles with Zaric?
After years of combating relegation, SCR Altach was lastly capable of breathe a sigh of reduction final season: ninth place within the league and reaching the cup remaining marked their greatest season in latest reminiscence. Coach Ognjen Zaric, who arrived within the winter and has been profitable since, is now getting into his first full 12 months on the sidelines and is predicted to steer Altach into the highest six for the primary time. The squad remained largely intact, with the most important departure being Mohamed Ouedraogo, who moved to Lyon. New arrivals included Marko Raguz and Niklas Niehoff. Query marks stay, particularly in assault. Within the cup, Altach narrowly defeated Leobendorf 1-0.
SV Ried: Mutandwa’s footwear want filling beneath new coach
The most important problem is changing high scorer Kingstone Mutandwa, who contributed 14 objectives final season and left the membership (returning at finish of mortgage to Cagliari). Ried considerably strengthened their midfield with former Fast Vienna captain Stefan Schwab and Lukas Malicsek, whereas on-loan Stade Reims signing Pape Sissoko is predicted to offer an attacking menace. Underneath new coach Mario Despotovic, the general objective this season is to determine themselves within the league, whereas concurrently integrating younger academy gamers, in accordance with membership officers. Within the cup, Ried cruised to a 5-1 victory in opposition to Dornbirn.
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Wolfsberger AC: Silberberger’s Wolves aiming excessive
The WAC squad has undergone important modifications since final season: Dejan Zukic (Vojvodina), Dominik Baumgartner (Cracovia) and Erik Kojzek (Partizan Belgrade) left the membership, whereas Raffael Behounek (Willem II) and Giacomo Vrioni (Cesena), amongst others, joined the workforce. Coach Thomas Silberberger, who saved Wolfsberg from relegation within the spring, stays on the sidelines. Phillip Verhounig has additionally joined their attacking lineup. A 5-1 win in opposition to Lauterach was taken within the first spherical of the cup.
Grazer AK: Cican Stankovic & Co purpose for stability in third 12 months
After narrowly avoiding relegation in two consecutive seasons, there was some motion within the GAK squad sooner than traditional. The most important departure is high scorer Ramiz Harakate, who has moved to LASK. In objective, the skilled Cican Stankovic returns after a interval and not using a membership because the primary, whereas on-loan participant Tim Trummer from our Crimson Bulls is predicted to assist out in defence, however sadly, he will likely be sidelined for a while attributable to harm. Within the cup, Feldhofer’s workforce prevailed 4-0 in opposition to Donaufeld within the first spherical.
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SC Austria Lustenau: League returners and massive unknowns
After a two-year absence, SC Austria Lustenau are again within the ADMIRAL Bundesliga – with a brand new stadium and loads of momentum. Coach Markus Mader, who has been answerable for Lustenau since December 2024 and led them to promotion as soon as earlier than in 2022, stays on the helm. Two high scorers from the promotion season, Mame Wade and Jack Lahne, left the membership, however they’ve strengthened their squad with gamers together with Danilo Soares (Nuremberg) and Albin Gashi (Wels), the highest objective contributor within the 2025/26 LigaZwa season. Within the cup, Lustenau narrowly defeated Kremser SC 1-0.
We’re getting began on Saturday!
We begin our new Bundesliga journey this Saturday at 19:30 CEST on the Crimson Bull Area in opposition to TSV Hartberg. Discover extra details about the match within the Match Heart:
to the Match heart
