Bruneck couldn't hold onto their lead. © David Laner

Late equalizer: Bruneck's minor setback in the title race

A home win would have been a big step towards promotion, but league leaders Bruneck had to settle for just one point due to a late equalizer. Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, two teams are now mathematically confirmed for relegation.

02 May 2026

From: never

Deep into stoppage time, Bruneck conceded a late equalizer: Terlan denied the league leaders a seemingly certain victory on matchday 27 of the Landesliga, securing a point with Thomas Albenberger's late goal (90+5) to make it 1-1. However, the result isn't causing the Puster Valley side too much concern. With three matchdays remaining, coach Roberto Fuschini's team sits nine points ahead of their closest rivals from Naturns, who can keep their slim title hopes alive with an away win against Freienfeld on Sunday.

On paper, the second-placed team goes into the match as the overwhelming favorite – but must prepare for an emotionally charged encounter. Due to Stegen's 2-1 victory over Salurn, secured by Manuel Niederkofler with a late goal (82nd minute), Freienfeld has already been relegated. This gives the hosts ample reason to bow out of the Landesliga with their heads held high and to spoil the party for one or two other clubs in the final stretch of the season.

Schenna has to go too – Lana is making it exciting

Like Freienfeld, Schenna also needed a minor football miracle to avoid relegation. However, their relegation was bitterly confirmed in their home game against Natz. Rene Schwienbacher (12th minute) and Markus Waldner (52nd minute) twice put the home side ahead, but Natz responded each time and ultimately secured a 3-2 victory thanks to Alex Braunhofer's decisive goal in the 73rd minute.

Lana and Stegen are also fighting to stay in the Landesliga. The two former Oberliga clubs are locked in a neck-and-neck race for 13th place. After Stegen took the lead with their aforementioned triumph over Salurn, Lana followed suit a few hours later with a 2-0 victory over Weinstraße Süd. Next week, the big relegation battle is on the schedule: Stegen will host their direct rivals in the standings in a clash of struggling teams.

State League, Matchday 27 – Results

Schenna – Natz 2:3 (1:1)
Goals: 1-0 Schwienbacher (12'), 1-1 Schraffl (24'), 2-1 Waldner (52'), 2-2 Grasser (55'), 2-3 Braunhofer (73')

Stegen – Salurn 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: 1-0 Bacher (9th minute), 1-1 Baldo (19th minute), 2-1 Niederkofler (82nd minute)

Bruneck – Terlan 1:1 (0:0)
Goals: 1:0 Wachtler (63rd), 1:1 Albenberger (90th+5)

Lana – Weinstraße Süd 2:0 (0:0)
Goals: 1-0 Perri (51st minute), 2-0 Brugger (58th minute)

Olimpia Merano – Tscherms Marling (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.)
Gitschberg Jochtal – Latsch (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.)
Freienfeld – Naturns (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.)
Leifers – Gargazon (Sunday, 3:30 pm)