Roberto Fuschini looks back on the greatest success of his coaching career. © Sarah Mitterer

Bruneck's successful coach: "Still totally caught up in the promotion euphoria"

In the penultimate matchday of the Landesliga (regional league), the two dominant teams face off. We spoke with SSV Bruneck's coach, Roberto Fuschini, beforehand.

15 May 2026

From: sn/av

While all decisions have already been made for the South Tyrolean teams in the Oberliga (fifth tier), things are still very much in flux in the Landesliga (sixth tier) with two matchdays remaining. The relegation battle is particularly exciting, with Lana and Stegen, two long-standing Oberliga clubs, facing the threat of dropping down to the 1. Amateurliga (seventh tier).

At the top of the table, however, the most important decision has already been made: SSV Bruneck are champions. Now the newly promoted side hosts their long-time pursuers, Naturns. With two matchdays remaining, Naturns are six points ahead of Olimpia Meran. Just a point on Sunday against the champions would secure second place for the team from the lower Vinschgau region. Around the same time, Naturns will also know whether they can achieve direct promotion. On Sunday, FC Obermais will play their decisive Serie D relegation playoff match away against Vigasio.

Naturns coach Patrick Fliri aims to secure second place with his team. © Sarah Mitterer

Before the final summit meeting between Bruneck and Naturns, we spoke with championship coach Roberto Fuschini about his boys' fabulous season, championship celebrations and the outlook for the Oberliga.


Back to normal life or still caught up in the euphoria of success?

Roberto Fuschini: To be honest, I'm still riding high on the euphoria of promotion. My thoughts constantly revolve around last Saturday and the past nine years, during which we tried so many times together but never quite reached our goal. We celebrated this long-awaited achievement until we dropped, and that feeling has carried over into my daily work. As a coach, this is my first promotion. Until now, my greatest success was winning the Oberliga Cup with Brixen. I started as a player-coach at Vahrn when I was 29, and I've also been with Brixen and Plose, and for the last nine years in Bruneck – but being champions is a new experience for me. And now I'm 51 years old.


How do you plan to motivate the team for the last two games?

Fuschini: It's quite simple. The euphoria is immense, we're not training like crazy anymore, and only twice this week, but the intensity has to be right. Naturns is the ideal opponent. Anyone who lets up now hasn't understood anything. Naturns put on a tremendous performance at the championship, they were constantly on our heels – huge credit to them! That fact alone is reason enough for everyone to be highly motivated.


You said that this SSV Bruneck is the best team you have ever coached – do you still stand by that?

Fuschini: I stand by it. I once finished second in the Oberliga with Brixen, where I took over the team in the second half of the season. Back then, Martin Ritsch, Danny Fäckl, Alex Ribul, Robert Niederkofler, and others formed the core of the squad. But we've never been as strong as this year under my leadership. We won 22 games, scored 80 goals, and only conceded 24. We only lost twice – both times due to two own goals. And we also had luck on our side, like in the 95th-minute victory against Lana. The team wasn't just highly talented; they also grew tremendously as a group. Everyone thinks not in terms of "I," but as "we."


The Oberliga awaits – what are your expectations?

Fuschini: We're preparing for a tough season, one that's certainly more competitive. We're embracing this challenge, but I'm confident we can be a force to be reckoned with. We've played a lot of friendlies and cup matches and have always been on par with the competition. We'll strengthen the squad in key areas and we'll be ready. Our goal is to stay in the league. Anything beyond that would be a bonus. The most important thing will be to quickly get to grips with the league.

The penultimate matchday of the Landesliga:

Saturday, 15 p.m
Freienfeld – Natz

Sunday, 15.30 a.m
Gitschberg Jochtal – Stegen
Schenna – Salurn
Wine Route – Gargazon
Leifers – Tscherms Marling
Olimpia Meran – Laces
Bruneck – Naturns
Lana – Terlan