Bruneck's Philipp Piffrader (blue number 11) scored a free kick in the derby against Stegen. © David Laner

The Bruneck city derby goes to the league leader

On Saturday of the 19th matchday in the Landesliga, all eyes were on the east of the country: In Bruneck, the city derby between Stegen and the current league leader was on the agenda.

February 28, 2026

From: mv

Pure excitement in Bruneck: Although the two clubs' worlds couldn't be more different – ​​Bruneck, the league leaders, and Stegen, currently in a relegation spot – derbies are known to have their own rules. But not on Saturday: The previous high-flyer in the highest purely South Tyrolean league dominated completely and celebrated a 4-0 victory.

In front of a large crowd, the hosts got off to a better start, but Patrick Bacher's apparent opening goal was disallowed. On the other end, Manuel Wachtler scored to put Bruneck ahead 1-0. After another disallowed goal by Stegen – this time Alan Bosa was the presumed scorer – Bruneck extended their lead to 3-0 before halftime with goals from Justin Pfeifer and Philipp Piffrader, the latter from a free kick. After the break, Stefan Nagler added Bruneck's fourth goal of the afternoon, before Benjamin Ukaj's shot struck the post, denying him a consolation goal.

Goal fest in Natz, Schenna with a golden three points

The spectators were treated to a whopping nine goals (!) in the match between Natz and Gargazon. The game was practically decided after the first half, with the Eisack Valley team already leading 5-0. After the break, Natz comfortably saw out the victory. Match-winner Maximilian Hofer was delighted with his hat trick.

Maximilian Hofer (right) scored three goals against Gargazon.

Gitschberg Jochtal celebrated their third victory in four second-half matches, securing a 3-1 home win against Voran Leifers. Head coach Patrizio Morini's team thus sits – for the time being – in fourth place in the table. The ultimate relegation battle between Schenna (16th place) and Freienfeld (15th) was won by the home side. After 90 hard-fought minutes, the Merano team celebrated a 3-1 home victory. While the three points don't lift Schenna from last place, they do give them renewed hope in their fight against relegation.

Last-minute victory for Salurn

Surprise team Olimpia Meran, however, could only manage a 2-2 draw in the evening. Despite a 2-0 lead after 54 minutes, Lana fought back to secure a point in the final stages. Salurn celebrated a last-minute home victory in the Unterland derby against Weinstraße Süd. With a 1-1 draw seemingly inevitable, Simon Baldo and Fabio Bertoldi scored late free kicks to give Salurn a 3-1 win.

State league, 19th matchday

Natz – Gargazon 6:3
Goals: 1-0 Tauber (21'), 2-0 Maximilian Hofer (22'), 3-0 Maximilian Hofer (40'), 4-0 Own goal Tammerle (42'), 5-0 Tauber (45'), 5-1 Platzgummer (50'), 5-2 Platzgummer (52'), 6-2 Maximilian Hofer (60'), 6-3 Lukas Hofer (90')

Stegen – Brunico 0:4
Goals: 0:1 Wachtler (19th minute), 0:2 Pfeifer (27th minute), 0:3 Philipp Piffrader (42nd minute), 0:4 Nagler (82nd minute/penalty)

Gitschberg Jochtal – Leifers ahead 3:1
Goals: 1:0 Mutschlechner (20th), 2:0 Lukas Hofer (44th), 3:0 Mutschlechner (46th), 3:1 Salvi (67th)

Schenna – Freienfeld 3:1
Goals: 1:0 Jakob Gögele (45th), 1:1 Trenkwalder (71st), 2:1 Prunner (80th), 3:1 Jakob Gögele (87th)

Lana – Olimpia Meran 2:2
Goals: 0:1 Agovic (18th), 0:2 Hasa (54th), 1:2 Grezzani (79th), 2:2 own goal Fofana (82nd)

Salurn – Wine Route South 3:1
Goals: 1:0 Fontana (30th), 1:1 Diagne (68th), 2:1 Simon Baldo (84th), 3:1 Bertoldi (90th + 4th)

Table