Young central defender Michael Kofler has played through two consecutive games recently, but will have to watch the game against Bassano. © AlPa Photography

Obermais follows the South Tyrolean way

After three successful matches in a row, FC Obermais travels to Bassano del Grappa on Sunday. Coach Flavio Toccoli can call on key players who have been missing recently at the former third-division club. The club is also placing strong emphasis on using South Tyrolean players in Serie D.

10 October 2025

From: cst

The good news for FC Obermais first: striker Manuel Brusco's injury is far less serious than feared. The striker hasn't suffered a torn muscle fiber, but merely a strain. A start against Bassano is questionable, but not entirely ruled out. Val Gardena defender Michael Kofler, on the other hand, will certainly be sidelined, but Kilian Bauernfeind is returning from a recovery from illness.

Against the yellow-reds from Veneto, who in the recent past has experienced turbulent times Obermais wants to build on the success of their last few matches. With seven points from three matches, the South Tyroleans have worked their way out of the bottom of the table. After some initial difficulties – partly due to the transition to Serie D – the Obermais team has adapted to the pace of Italy's fourth division. Jamaican Mike Seaton, After some minor adjustment problems from German to Italian football, the team is increasingly gaining momentum. The young South Tyroleans, including Samuel Villgratner, Simon Larcher, and Stefan Turini, have also acclimatized well.

South Tyrolean players in focus

Speaking of South Tyroleans: Obermais recently played with almost exclusively local players. In the 1-0 home win against Campodarsego, the only South Tyroleans on the pitch were Seaton and Brusco (who hails from Trentino). Among them were numerous players who had recently been playing in lower leagues. Villgratner is the prime example. The young man from the Lower Austrian region came from Weinstraße Süd in the regional league in the summer.

Alex Loncini hit the ground running. © P. Schwienbacher

"This proves that there's a lot of quality in South Tyrol's amateur leagues. There are still several players there who have the potential for Serie D," Michael Höller asserts. The Blue-Whites' sporting director also emphasizes: "We South Tyroleans simply have to have the confidence and take some risks." Raphael Unterthurner (19, he joined from the regional league team Riffian Kuens) and Larcher from Rittner (17, from the 2nd amateur league) are other youngsters on the verge of a breakthrough.

Alex Loncini has had a perfect debut. The Bolzano native arrived from Sondrio at the last minute and immediately proved himself a valuable asset in Maia Alta. "He literally breathes Serie D and knows exactly what's important in this league," Höller praised the young South Tyrolean, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Friday.

Serie D, Group C: Matchday 7

Adriese – San Luigi (Sunday, 15 p.m.)
Bassano – Upper Maia
Lignano – Luparense
Calvi Noale – Treviso
Campodarsego – Altavilla
Cjarlins Muzane – Estonian
Portogruaro – Conegliano
Clodiense – Legnano