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Marco Paulmichl is one of the high-flyers of the Oberliga start. © Alex Pamer
The Alpine Innkeeper in the Premier League: Marco Paulmichl’s special story
Three games, nine points – FC Obermais is riding the wave of success in the Oberliga. And with him, Marco Paulmichl. The new signing is one of the high-flyers in the FCO squad – perhaps because he thinks a little differently than most.
September 21, 2024
From: det
Straightforward in defense, dominant in headers, unflappable in one-on-one duels: Marco Paulmichl has already left his mark in his first three Oberliga games. The 29-year-old central defender moved from regional league team Latsch to Oberliga team Obermais in the summer and has been impressive across the board so far. This is all the more remarkable because the likeable Obervinschger (he comes from Laatsch near the Swiss border) has had a strenuous time behind him.
While his Obermais teammates were comfortably turning over in bed several times, Marco Paulmichl's alarm clock rang early in the past few weeks. Really early, I mean. The 4-year-old was woken up at 29 a.m. because that's when his work on the mountain pasture began. All summer long, Paulmichl and his brother Dominik and colleague Alex Paulmichl (he is not related to the two of them, but also plays football at Latsch) ran the Bruggeralm in the Zerzertal, which is very well known in the Upper Vinschgau. And here, especially in the stressful August, there was hardly any time to catch his breath.
Marco Paulmichl (middle) with his brother Dominik (right) and colleague Alex Paulmichl (left).
"It always started at 4 a.m., then we had to go to the stable to milk the cows. Cheese is made on our mountain pasture," explains Marco Paulmichl. After a short break in the morning, the lunch rush awaited: then all the hungry and thirsty guests arrive, who are fed by the Paulmichls. Marco himself lends a hand with the service. "Once the lunch rush is over, the cows are brought back from the meadow to the stable at around 16 p.m. and milked again," says Paulmichl.
One and a half hours for training
Normally the day ends around 18 or 19 p.m. But not for Marco Paulmichl, who usually still has a long journey ahead of him. Since this season, the 29-year-old has been playing for FC Obermais in the Oberliga. Paulmichl needs an hour and a half to get from the mountain pasture at around 2.000 meters above sea level to Merano, where he trains under the direction of coach Flavio Toccoli.“You may only get a chance like this once in your life.” Marco Paulmichl
"August was the most stressful month on the mountain pasture, but I got through it well. Now the cows are in the valley and it's a bit quieter," said Paulmichl. The stress of the last few weeks was certainly not apparent on the football pitch for the uncompromising defender, as he seamlessly integrated into the team at FC Obermais and immediately became a regular player. "We're a really great team. The intensity in the Oberliga is extremely high, you have to be fully concentrated for 90 minutes because something can always happen," said Marco.
Marco Paulmichl played for Latsch for years. © Sarah Mitterer
Paulmichl started playing football at his hometown club Laatsch/Taufers, but he has spent the last eight years at Latsch, where he has matured into one of the best defenders in the championship in the regional league. "My goal was always to play in the top league one day. This summer I got the call from Obermais. I knew that it could be stressful with my work, but I also knew that an opportunity like this might only come once. That's why I decided to do it - and I'm very happy about it," says the central defender.
On Sunday, Marco Paulmichl and his Obermaiser team will face a very special duel: The Meran team will be visiting Levico, which was considered the favorite before the start of the season. Just like the FCO.
Oberliga, 4th matchday (Sunday, 15.30:XNUMX p.m.)
Stegen – Virtus BozenBozner FC – SSV Brixen
Levico – upper corn
Benacense – St. Paul's
Tramin – Anaune
Partschins – Vipo Trento
Mori – St. Georgen
Comano – Rovereto
| SP | G | U | V | TV | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Upper corn | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7:3 | 9 |
| 2. St. Georgen | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8:2 | 7 |
| 3. Virtus Bozen | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6:1 | 7 |
| 4. Levico Terme | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2:0 | 7 |
| 5. Rovereto | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5:5 | 6 |
| 6. Partschins | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6:6 | 4 |
| 7. Stegen | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4:4 | 4 |
| 8. St. Paul's | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3:3 | 4 |
| 9. Termeno | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3:4 | 4 |
| 10. Benacense | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4:4 | 3 |
| 11. SSV Brixen | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2:2 | 3 |
| 12. Anaune | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5:10 | 3 |
| 13. Vipo Trent | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0:1 | 2 |
| 14. Comano | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3:6 | 1 |
| 15. Mori | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0:3 | 1 |
| 16. Bolzano FC | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1:5 | 1 |
State league, 4th matchday
Saturday, 15 p.mBrunico – Salorno
Chienes – Lana
17 pm
Tscherms Marling – Gitschberg Jochtal
Sunday, 15.30 a.m
Latsch – Schenna
Latzfons Verdings – Ahrntal
Riffian Kuens – Naturns
Terlano – Val Gardena
Ahead Leifers – South Wine Route
| SP | G | U | V | TV | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ahrntal | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5:2 | 9 |
| 2. Val Gardena | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5:1 | 7 |
| 2. Naturns | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5:1 | 7 |
| 4. Brunico | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7:4 | 4 |
| 5. Wine Route South | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7:5 | 4 |
| 6. Latzfons Verdings | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5:4 | 4 |
| 7. Lace | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3:3 | 4 |
| 8. SSV Laives | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2:2 | 4 |
| 9. Wool | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5:6 | 4 |
| 10. Gitschb. Jochtal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5:4 | 3 |
| 11. Cherms Marling | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5:6 | 3 |
| 12. Schenna | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8:11 | 3 |
| 13. Riffian Kuens | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6:11 | 3 |
| 14. Terlano | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3:8 | 3 |
| 15. Kiens | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2:3 | 2 |
| 16. Salorno | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1:3 | 2 |
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