Hole in the grass: Curious scene in ÖFB match

At home games of the Austrian national football team, the marmot greets the fans every three years in the form of a hole in the grass.

September 07, 2025

From: apa

After such a mishap had already occurred in June 2022 in Vienna's Happel Stadium against Denmark, a gap opened up on the edge of the penalty area on Saturday in the 1-0 World Cup qualifier against Cyprus in Linz's Raiffeisen Arena, the depth of which ÖFB goalkeeper Alexander Schlager estimated at 30 to 40 centimeters.

Kevin Danso pointed out the hole to Danish referee Jakob Kehlet, whereupon the referee suspended play for seven minutes due to the risk of injury. During this time, filler material helped to remedy the situation, but this didn't change the fact that Ralf Rangnick – who had already served as Austrian national team manager against the Danes three years ago – admitted he felt like he was on "Candid Camera."

Reappraisal is needed

Bernhard Neuhold, Managing Director of ÖFB Wirtschaftsbetriebe GmbH, described the incident to the WATER as "unpleasant and curious. But the situation is different from 2022, when there was obviously a real defect in the substructure of the turf that needed to be remedied."

The game had to be temporarily suspended. © APA / GEORG HOCHMUTH

At that time, even the home match against France, scheduled four days later, was in jeopardy before the all-clear was given after a thorough investigation. "The incident in Linz did result in a disruption, but it was quickly resolved using simple means. Nevertheless, we will investigate and work with LASK to determine the cause," Neuhold announced.

Neuhold: “No hasty judgment”

The Raiffeisen Arena only opened in 2023. "One thing is a new stadium, the other is the pitch. But I don't want to make hasty judgments and shoot from the hip. The most important thing is that no player was hurt, and the damage was repaired within a very short time," emphasized Neuhold. The players remained calm about this. "I've never experienced anything like today or against Denmark, not even in my youth," grinned David Alaba. Michael Gregoritsch described the hole as "bad luck," but pointed out the overall condition of the turf: "We have to make sure the entire pitch is in better condition."