Simon Straudi was relegated with Austria Klagenfurt. © APA / GERT EGGENBERGER

Straudi relegated with Klagenfurt

After four seasons in the Austrian Bundesliga, Austria Klagenfurt is returning to the second division – together with South Tyrolean Simon Straudi.

23 May 2025

From: apa/sn

The Carinthian team lost 0-1 (0-1) to TSV Hartberg in the final round of the qualifying group on Friday and are relegated. Austria Wien, which featured South Tyrolean right-back Straudi for the full 90 minutes, conceded an early goal (2nd minute), was unable to recover the deficit, and was unable to capitalize on LASK's assist. They ultimately fell two points behind second-to-last SCR Altach.

This meant that hopes for Carsten Jancker's coaching impact were not fulfilled. The striker took over from Peter Pacult at the end of April when the team was second to last in the table, but in four matches under Jancker, Klagenfurt remained winless and picked up only two points. Hartberg, on the other hand, gained some confidence ahead of Monday's European Cup playoff against LASK in Linz.

Hartberg scored with first action

Klagenfurt entered the final round as bottom of the table and was under pressure to win. The situation immediately worsened, with Hartberg taking the lead after 100 seconds with their first attack. Following a deep pass from Benjamin Markus, Elias Havel shot from a tight angle and fired through the legs of goalkeeper Simon Spari. Havel was one of five new players coach Manfred Schmid brought into the starting lineup compared to the previous weekend.
The Carinthians recovered only slowly from the shock.

Klagenfurt couldn't fight back after the early setback. © APA / GERT EGGENBERGER

It wasn't until the 19th minute that they first threatened, with Christopher Wernitznig missing under pressure. In the 37th minute, they unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty after a Jaritz shot was blocked by Youba Diarra with his arm. The best chance fell to Matteo Kitz, who shot over the bar from close range while falling (45th).

Straudi on the pitch for 90 minutes

With new attacking players David Toshevski and Philipp Wydra on board, Jancker's team fought against relegation after the break and also had good chances. Thorsten Mahrer headed over the bar (52'), and Toshevski's header bounced back off the underside of the crossbar (54'). At the other end, Patrik Mijic had the decisive goal on his feet (64'). Klagenfurt might have had one last chance to turn things around, but Toshevski failed to score into the empty net after a Bobzien pass (83'). Austria Wien must now face the bitter step of relegation to the second division after four years, the first three of which were spent in the championship group.