Aquiles Egidio is the new goalkeeper of Bruneck.

Goalkeeper shortage in Bruneck: Help is now coming from South America

SSV Bruneck is marching rapidly towards its long-awaited goal of promotion to the Oberliga (fifth tier). However, the past two weeks have been turbulent. The reason: an acute and rather unusual goalkeeping shortage.

March 06, 2026

From: det

For years, SSV Bruneck has dominated the top spots in the Landesliga, and for years the Puster Valley team has been eyeing promotion to the Oberliga – but so far, the coveted jump to the higher league has eluded them. Will that change this year? With eleven games remaining, the league leaders have a ten-point advantage over their closest rivals, Naturns. This could very well be Bruneck's year.

But in the last two weeks, the nerves of the Puster Valley's top club have been severely tested. Not because things weren't going well on the pitch (on the contrary: things are going exceptionally well there), but rather because they suddenly faced acute personnel problems. Personnel problems that affected an essential role in football: the goalkeeper position.

Within a few days, both goalkeepers were sidelined.

“Two weeks ago, our goalkeeper Marco Mittermair suffered a double fibula fracture and a syndesmotic ligament tear in training; his season is over,” explains Bruneck's sporting director Hannes Oberleiter. A few days later came the next shock. “In the game against Salurn, our young goalkeeper Marco Razzano (born in 2009, editor's note) was in goal. However, he suffered a torn meniscus, and his season is also over.”

Marco Mittermair, goalkeeper for Bruneck. © A. Giacomelli

This means that within just a few days, Bruneck lost both of its goalkeepers. "We were really desperate. Finding a goalkeeper in March is practically impossible," said Oberleiter. Nevertheless, Bruneck found a replacement and brought Daniel Zimmerhofer back into the fold. "He used to play for Kiens and Reischach in the first amateur league and has been playing for the Percha veterans' team for three years."

Reinforcements from Venezuela

Zimmerhofer made his debut in goal for Bruneck on Saturday in the 4-0 victory over Stegen and put in a more than respectable performance. However, the 35-year-old can rarely train during the week and will also be unavailable on some weekends. "Therefore, we had to become active in the transfer market again. For the first time in our club's history, we contacted a player agent and ultimately found a suitable candidate," said Oberleiter.

Daniel Zimmerhofer was in goal for Bruneck against Stegen. © David Laner

Bruneck chose Aquiles Egidio, a goalkeeper from Venezuela with Italian roots. "He played in the Oberliga (fifth tier) in the Lazio region for the past three years and immediately agreed to join," said Oberleiter. Egidio boarded a plane in Venezuela, flew via Miami to Italy, and finally arrived in Bruneck on Wednesday night. The 23-year-old completed his first training session on Thursday. "He made a strong impression," said Oberleiter.

Bruneck will return to league action on Saturday, facing fourth-placed Gitschberg Jochtal. The Puster Valley team aims to continue their winning streak (four consecutive victories) and take another step towards their long-awaited goal of promotion to the Oberliga (Upper League). They will soon have South American power between the posts.

Oberliga, 22th matchday (Sunday, 15:XNUMX p.m.)

St. Pauls – Brixen
Virtus Bozen – Tramin
St. Georgen – Partschins
Mori – Bozner FC
Levico – Ahrntal
Benacense – Comano
Lavis-Rovereto
Val Gardena – Union Trento (18 p.m.)

State league, 20th matchday

Saturday, 15 p.m
Bruneck – Gitschberg Jochtal
Gargazon – Latsch
Tscherms Marling – Lana
Terlano – Salorno

Sunday, 15 a.m
Freienfeld – Olimpia Meran
Naturns – Natz
First of all, Leifers – Schenna
Wine Route South – Stegen