Mathias Theiner (l.) in a friendly match in a duel with Hector Bellerin of Real Betis.

Mathias Theiner, what awaits you in professional football?

It's finally done! After many years of repeatedly missing promotion with Austria Salzburg, Mathias Theiner's dream has finally come true. He told SportNews what awaits the South Tyrolean professional footballer in Austria's 2nd Bundesliga.

July 08, 2025

From: cst

Matthias Theiner, born in 1998, is currently South Tyrol's only professional football player in Austria. After Simon Straudi's contract with Austria Klagenfurt expired following their relegation from the Bundesliga, the Upper Vinschgau native is now flying the South Tyrolean colors in our neighboring country alone.

For six years now, Theiner has played for Austria Salzburg, the "original from the city of Mozart," as the Violets' website puts it. After the Red Bull takeover, the club seemed to be wiped out, but now Austria is back in the professional game. Next season, Theiner will play with his club in the 2nd division. The league begins on August 1st with an away game in Klagenfurt. "I'm looking forward to a new team, better opponents, and to learning new things," Theiner said with a healthy dose of anticipation.

Austria Salzburg in the ranks of traditional clubs

The Laatscher has always played in the Regionalliga (third division) in Austria. What will change for him in the professional arena? "The focus is completely different. There's much more attention, we'll have live games on TV. The away games are now all over Austria, and we'll often have to arrive a day in advance," says Theiner. His Austria Salzburg team is in the second division, alongside St. Pölten, First Vienna, Schwarz-Weiß Bregenz, and Admira Wacker: These clubs form a strong group of traditional clubs that also attract large crowds to their stadiums.

Austria Salzburg is one of the traditional clubs in Austria and has a large fan base.

While Theiner is aiming for the club to stay in the 2nd division, he has also set himself a few personal goals: "The most important thing is to stay injury-free. I want to get as many playing minutes as possible and help the team with my skills."

Preparations in full swing

Because the season starts so early in Austria – compared to Italy – Theiner and his team are already at full strength. Wednesday evening sees a tough test against top Hungarian club Puskas Akademia. "They're strong, it'll be a really good friendly," says Theiner, adding: "On Saturday we'll play against Wacker Burghausen, then we'll have a friendly against Dortmund II, and then it all starts anyway."