Before every game, South Tyrol's ladies hold up Verena's number. © EUROPEADA/Lars Salomonsen

“Veri always with us”: South Tyrol’s ladies with a moving gesture

The South Tyrolean ladies caused a stir at the Europeada not only with their performances on the pitch, but also with an emotional gesture.

July 03, 2024

From: det

It is a ritual that is performed the same way all around the world. Before a football match, players walk onto the field together, line up in the center circle, greet the spectators first and then the opposing team.

When South Tyrol's women's team enters the Europeada, it has nothing to do with everyday routine - it is always something very special, something emotional. Coach Denise Ferraris' players hold up the number 10 jersey in the center circle before every game.

The South Tyroleans always carry Verena Erlacher with them. © EUROPEADA/Lars Salomonsen

"Veri is always with us. We play for her," explains Anna Katharina Peer, one of the leading players at South Tyrol. Veri is Verena Erlacher. She was a huge talent in local women's football and won the home Europeda with the South Tyrolean "Gitschn" in 2016. But in 2019, the Algund native died far too early at the age of just 19.

The number 10 is no longer assigned

But Erlacher is still omnipresent in the thoughts of her teammates. "In 2016 at the Europeada, Veri was something like our baby. She was only 17 years old at the time, but she was an indispensable part of the team. On the pitch, Veri was a tireless fighter and she had a really sunny disposition," remembers Anna Katharina Peer.

Erlacher played the games at the 2016 Europeada with the number 10 on his back. "We decided together that the number 10 will never be given away again. Your number XNUMX will always be there," says Anna Katharina Peer and adds: "We want to win the title this year - also for Veri."