Tobias Pichler (with the ball) celebrated Naturns' second derby victory within a few days.

Naturns is increasingly becoming a derby specialist.

The quarter-final matches of the South Tyrol Cup took place on Wednesday. A sensation occurred, while Naturns increasingly became a derby specialist.

March 18, 2026

From: mv

Naturns thrives on derbies – this was once again evident on Wednesday evening in the quarter-final of the regional cup. Against Oberliga side Partschins, who have been in good form since the second half of the season, Naturns celebrated a narrow 1-0 victory in the Vinschgau derby and advanced to the semi-finals. The winning goal came as early as the tenth minute when Tobias Pichler scored after a pass from Kevin Nischler. A goal by Noah Schweitzer, however, was disallowed. Just on Sunday, Patrick Fliri's team defeated Latsch 2-1 in the Landesliga – two derby wins within three days.

In an all-Oberliga clash, Ahrntal prevailed against St. Pauls with a 2-1 victory. After a handball by Benjamin Zimmerhofer, Dennis Recla gave the visitors from Überetsch an early lead (11th minute), but on the other end, it was also a penalty, this time taken by David Zimmerhofer, that leveled the score (39th minute). After the break, the home side, "Teldra," created a clear advantage in chances, but it wasn't until the 86th minute that they finally broke the deadlock. Stefan Pareiner then sealed the win with a spectacular bicycle kick, sending Ahrntal into the cup semi-finals.

Lüsen pulls off a sensation

Lüsen, however, caused a sensation. The team from the Eisack Valley, playing in the 1st Amateur League B, knocked the regional league side Latsch out of the state cup. Jakob Ploner put the visitors ahead (58th minute), but Vladimir Kapitan equalized for Latsch (80th minute). Shortly before the final whistle, Alex Medda's apparent winning goal for Latsch was disallowed. The match went to penalties, where Lüsen prevailed and advanced to the semi-finals.

Matteo Forti (right) scored the decisive goal to make it 2-1 for Virtus Bozen. © DLife/LO

Virtus Bozen also secured their place in the final round. The top team in the Oberliga won 2-1 away at Gitschberg Jochtal. The team, coached by legendary Pat Morini, took the lead in the first half through Lukas Hofer (43'), but after the break, the Bolzano side turned the game around within six minutes – the goals were scored by Mohamed Fassih (51') and Matteo Forti (57').

The semi-final matches will take place on Wednesday, April 15th at 20 pm. The pairings will be determined by a draw.

South Tyrol Cup, Quarter-final

Naturns – Partschins 1-0
Goal: Pichler (10th minute)

Ahrntal – St. Pauls 2:1
Goals: 0-1 Recla (11th minute/penalty), 1-1 David Zimmerhofer (40th minute/penalty), 2-1 Pareiner (86th minute)

Latsch – Lüsen 3:5 on penalties
Goals: 0-1 Ploner (58th minute), 1-1 Kapitan (80th minute), decisive penalty: Ploner

Gitschberg Jochtal – Virtus Bozen 1:2
Goals: 1:0 Hofer (43rd), 1:1 Fassih (51st), 1:2 Forti (57th)