The 2023/24 season is entering the final furlongs with decisions due in the league, trophies at stake as well as promotions and relegations, with all the associated emotions, to come. It's a perfect time to take a look at young hopefuls. How are things looking for our heroes of tomorrow? We have an overview for you here:
Shining on the Golden Coast
Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and somersaulting celebrations! Our U16w team faced top-class international opponents at the end of March in the Costa Daurada Cup and completely delivered. As the youngest team in the U17 tournament, our girls were sensational group winners thanks to victories against Antiguoko (3-0) and EF Premier Barcelona (10-1!). In between the wins against the Basques and Catalans, our side drew 1-1 against heavyweights PSG.
Source: Costa Daurada Cup
After our XI saw off Diamenty Warsaw 4-0 to make the quarter-finals, the great journey ended with a 0-2 loss to the JFA Academy from Japan. The wonderful experience on the Costa Daurada has been put to good use on the domestic stage by the side captained by Sara Grabovac. A big 5-2 win against the SC Mittersill boys has put our girls on the top of the U14-1. Sparkassenliga!
League title in touching distance
With 17 matches, 17 wins and a goal difference of +63 – the U18 side of our co-operation partners FC Liefering continue to set the pace in the youth league. Goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky – who was part of the Austria U17 squad that qualified for the European championship in Cyprus - and Salko Hamzic have kept constant clean sheets for close to two months. They could seal the title within the next two weeks.
While both the U18 and U15 team have an eleven-point lead on the opposition, the U16 side have a decisive few weeks ahead. They are three points behind leaders Austria Vienna, with the side from the capital having a game in hand. The clash between the two sides in two weeks will be a showdown for the title.
Co-operation partners on the march
Onur Cinel's boys are the side to watch in #LigaZwa! The most in-form side in the new year beat GAK, who are almost certain to be promoted, 2-0 - FC Liefering just seem unstoppable right now. They are four points behind fourth-place currently. They have come a long way from the autumn, when survival was the focus with the sides from Amstetten, Graz and Dornbirn now locked in that battle.
