Tscherms (in blue) will face Kastelbell Tschars (in red) again this year. © Sarah Mitterer

2. Amateur League | Departure into an unknown country

When the new season kicks off on Saturday in the 2nd Amateur League, we will be entering unknown territory. The league was revolutionized in the summer. The big SportNews preview of the two groups.

August 29, 2024

From: det

Up until now, the 2nd Amateur League was always divided into three districts. This has now changed: in future, there will be two divisions - just like in the 1st Amateur League. In order to compress the field to 28 teams, no fewer than 12 teams were relegated last season.

The result: From now on there will be a Vinschgau district and a Pustertal district, with 14 teams per group and many teams facing completely new opponents. So it will be a very interesting - and qualitatively better - championship that will take place over the next ten months.

Group A

There is no clear favorite in this league, but there are several contenders for the top spot. Algund, which is coached by Obermais legend Christian Rainer and was able to strengthen its team with prominent players in the summer. Hannes Gamper and Hannes Sonnenburger were long-standing pillars of the Oberliga club Obermais, now the two defenders are stirring up trouble in the 2nd amateur league. With Dauda Rosheed Olamilekan and Gerbi Gjepali, Algund has a dangerous strike duo in the squad.

Alex Bordato, Plaus's defensive leader. © Sarah Mitterer

Another candidate for the top spot is Plausible. Having been relegated from the 1st Amateur League at the last minute last year, much has remained the same for the Lower Vinschgau team. The goalkeeping team has been strengthened with long-time Schlanders goalie Hannes Wellenzohn, Pauli Cassin will be on the sidelines from now on - and with Felix Rungg, Plaus has the best technician in the league in its ranks.

mountain has been trying to get promoted to the first amateur league for years, but he never wanted to succeed. Maybe it will work this year? Max Bianchi is a well-known coach on the sidelines, and the Unterland team (second place in the A district last year) has also strengthened its team with Mirko Danieli, who was once one of the best defenders at St. Pauls in the top league. After a long trip abroad, he is now back in South Tyrol.

Eliah Trojer (left) will meet Jonas Steinkeller and Goldrain with Schlanders again this year. © Sarah Mitterer

And behind it? We can look forward to Castelbello Tschars, which was able to sign two top players from Oberau, Francesco Cosa (coach) and Momo Fassih (winger), and can continue to count on the services of Willy Amofah. However, pillars such as captain Andre Kofler and David Frötscher have said goodbye. Cherms with the new defensive leader Luca Baggio is not bad on paper, while Schlanders will play a quiet championship after a change.

The main thing to look back at is Jenesien (without top scorer Michael Höller), mortar (without photographer Johannes Höllrigl), Sinich (without promotion hero Michele Burei), but also Goldrain. The rest will play a quiet championship.

Group B

Things will be just as exciting in the Pustertal district. If you ask around, two teams are considered as candidates for promotion. On the one hand Stone house, which has been at the top for years and has a strong team. The outstanding striker is Julian Gartner, who scored 15 goals last year. This year Stephan Gartner (he comes from Ahrntal) will also play for Teldra. On the other hand, Steinegg as a team for the top. The Karneiders can count on a strong team, led by coach Davide Santachiara and with Ivan Marschall (he comes from Bozner FC) a top league-tested goalie in goal.

Steinhaus is one of the big favorites in the B district. © Franz Griessmair

Or will a newcomer be a surprise? The big insider tip is Vipiteno. The third amateur league champions have an excellent coach in former striker Matthias Markart, they are well-rehearsed, young and hungry. They have also signed a top striker in Andreas Gogl from the Ridnauntal selection, who scored eight goals in the regional league last year. Even if the club itself does not want to be considered favorites (“We want to get used to the league first”), the Wipptal team is a hot candidate.

Also outsider chances are Sesto, which brought goalkeeper Marcel Villgrater back from Stegen, as well as Jonas and Felix Happacher, who recently gained a lot of playing time at Bruneck and St. Georgen respectively. Clausen (without the figureheads Stefan and Benjamin Stuefer) and Feldthurns (without shooter Matthias Schmidt) and Barbian Villanders (after a major upheaval and with a very young team) will have to focus primarily on collecting the necessary points. Lawn Antholz and Guttersass to adjust.