SSV Naturns has returned to the Oberliga. © S. Mitterer

Naturns gripped by Oberliga fever: "Celebrating without a curfew"

With FC Obermais securing their place in Serie D, Naturns has guaranteed their return to the Oberliga without the need for relegation play-offs. Markus Pircher, the sporting director of the Blue-Yellows, has provided insight into what has transpired since their Oberliga return was secured.

22 May 2026

From: sn/av/d

Tell us: What was the tension like last Sunday in Bruneck, where you, as a resident of Naturns, followed the action via livestream, watching what FC Obermais was doing in Vigasio?

Markus Mäck Pircher: “We were quite optimistic that Obermais would pull it off. Their recent form had been extremely positive, and the euphoria was immense. All we could do was do our homework against Bruneck. We did that well, regardless of whether they were a bit worn down by their midweek championship celebrations. Bruneck gave it their all, but in the end, our victory was well-deserved.”


How was the journey home?

"We initially celebrated together with the Bruneck team at their home ground in Reischach. Around 9:30 p.m., we set off and first stopped at the forest. Then we continued on to Naturns, where the obligatory victory lap through the village with honking cars was a must. Only after that did we go to our sports bar, where the party went on without a curfew. The last players didn't go to bed until Monday evening – two of them still wearing their football boots."


Naturns and Bruneck were the two best teams in the Landesliga. Why did Naturns make too many mistakes?

"That's a good question. We've already analyzed everything. Against teams that were weaker on paper, we weren't always at it with the right attitude. We lacked that final bit of effort, commitment, and determination. The games just sort of drifted by. Why and how, that's hard to say. Ultimately, Bruneck had the best individual players across the board and deservedly became champions. They've been trying for years, and this year they also had the necessary luck on their side. With second place and hopefully 67 points, we also delivered a top performance, and several youth players made the jump to the first team."

"For a village club to stay in the top league would be like winning a title." Markus Pircher

From next season onwards, Naturns will once again be among the regional elite. What are your expectations?

"We will try to assemble a team that has a chance of staying in the Oberliga. However, the focus is clearly on our own players; they are our greatest asset. With the elimination of the youth eligibility rule, the gap in quality between the Landesliga and the Oberliga has become even more extreme. For a village club to stay up there would be like winning a title. The player market isn't exactly overflowing. Our goal must and will be to stay in the league with a lot of enthusiasm. Mentality will be crucial."

State league: 30th matchday

Salurn – Olimpia Meran 1:5
Gargazon – Terlan (Saturday, 16 p.m.)
Natz – Voran Leifers (Sunday, 15.30 p.m.)
Gitschberg Jochtal – Lana
Stegen – Schenna
Naturns – South Wine Route
Laces – Freienfeld
Cermes Marling – Bruneck