Top game in the national league: “We are full of confidence”

The 18th regional league matchday is all about the duel between Bruneck and FC Gherdëina: here the leader from the Pustertal, there the second-placed from Val Gardena. Before the eagerly awaited match, we spoke to offensive player Mirko Demez.

28. February 2025

From: leo

Two games, six points: The start of the second half of the season went as planned for FC Gherdëina - even if the Ladinians had to wait until the last second last Sunday. Dylan Brentel's winning goal in the hard-earned 90-2 victory against Kiens came in the 1th minute. "It was a victory for the whole team," emphasises Demez. "You can see that we are a unit and believe in victory until the last second. Of course, a little luck is needed, but we fought for it." Thanks to the three points, Jan Martin Vinatzer & Co. are now only one point behind Bruneck, which lost 0-3 at Naturns at the same time.

With a win on Saturday, René Rella's team could overtake Bruneck and jump to the top of the table. But Demez doesn't want to think about that. "We haven't felt any pressure all season, we don't 'have to' win and we can play freely," says the 26-year-old. "We are brimming with confidence and will try to make life difficult for Bruneck." The league leaders are very strong players, have the best attack in the league and are well staffed in every position. But the defeat in Naturns showed that the Pustertal team are not unbeatable either.

Annoying the Big One

Val Gardena certainly knows how to beat Bruneck. In mid-September, Demez & Co. beat the favorites 2-0 on their home turf. "Every match is different. Back then we had the home advantage. I'm expecting a good football match, because both teams have quality. Maybe it's not a bad time to meet Bruneck. But after their defeat against Naturno, they will of course throw everything into the mix to beat us," says Demez.

Maximilian Hofer and Leo Villgrater want to return to the winning track. © Bertoni

With eight goals, Demez has played a large part in why Val Gardena is the surprise team this year. "Rella has certainly given us a boost. He has given me more trust and more playing time. That motivates me a lot," said Demez, who plays on the wing in the offensive trident around goal scorer Vinatzer. "We have many alternatives in the team. It doesn't matter who is on the pitch. We have proven that we can always be dangerous," said Demez. If it were up to him, the pattern should continue on Saturday in Bruneck.

State league, 18th matchday:

Friday, February 28th:
Riffian Kuens – Schenna (20 p.m.)

Saturday March 1rd:
Bruneck – FC Gherdëina (15 pm)
Latzfons Verdings – Lana
Tscherms Marling – Ahrntal

Sunday March 2th:
Latsch – Weinstraße Süd (15 pm)
Kiens – Salurn
Terlano – Naturns
Ahead Leifers – Gitschberg Jochtal

The table

	SP	G	U	V	TV	P
1. Brunico	18	13	3	2	43:20	42
2. Ahrntal	18	12	4	2	32:15	40
3. Naturns	18	10	8	0	36:13	38
4. Val Gardena	18	12	2	4	35:21	38
5. SSV Laives	18	7	5	6	24:22	26
6. Gitschb. Jochtal	18	7	3	8	33:27	24
7. Salorno	18	6	5	7	30:32	23
8. Lace	18	6	5	7	25:28	23
9. Wine Route South	18	7	2	9	30:34	23
10. Terlano	18	6	5	7	25:39	23
11. Cherms Marling	18	6	4	8	31:30	22
12. Wool	17	5	3	9	30:36	18
13. Schenna	18	4	6	8	30:38	18
14. Latzfons Verdings	17	4	4	9	26:31	16
15. Kiens	18	3	5	10	22:35	14
16. Riffian Kuens	18	2	2	14	19:50	8