The moment of triumph: Val Gardena wins the penalty shootout and will play in the Oberliga. © All photos: Thomas Debelyak

Absolutely crazy match: Val Gardena achieves the Oberliga miracle

FC Val Gardena made history on Sunday, achieving promotion to the Oberliga for the first time in its history. What unfolded at the Briamasco Stadium was absolutely insane.

June 01, 2025

From the Briamasco Stadium in Trento

Val Gardena: This is the place with the world-famous mountain ranges; the place where spectacular ski races take place year after year; the place where some of South Tyrol's best winter sports athletes are forged. And since Sunday, June 1, 2025, Val Gardena has been something else entirely: for the first time in history, it is a top-flight football team.

What seemed completely utopian just a few months ago became reality in Trento's Briamasco Stadium. In the playoff match between the regional league's runners-up, the Ladins put on a show in front of a considerable crowd, defeating Nago Torbole from Trentino after a spectacular 3-3 draw on penalties. This completes their historic first promotion to the regional top flight. And it's truly a miracle, because no one would have predicted before the start of the season that Val Gardena – which was still playing in the 2nd amateur league three years ago – would be promoted.

The relegation move couldn't have been more beautiful, as it was a true spectacle, played out in the summer evening temperatures at the Briamasco Stadium. Val Gardena led 2-0 after the first half thanks to goals from Daniel Tiozzo (header) and Mirko Demez (with a powerful shot into the far corner). But after the break, Nago Torbole suddenly turned things around: Substitute Alessio Forcinella first made it 1-2 with a stunning shot into the top corner, then smacked right into the heart of Val Gardena when he slotted home a free-kick cross to make it 2-2 in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Up to the penalty shootout

But Val Gardena quickly absorbed this shock and took the lead again in extra time with substitute Riccardo Piccoliori (94th minute). Nago Torbole responded again, equalizing with Santiago Garcia (108th minute). So it went to penalties – and all five Val Gardena shooters held their nerve, while Nago Torbole's Alessio Prandi's attempt was saved by goalkeeper Lukas Demetz. The victory was in the bag – and the celebrations in Val Gardena knew no bounds.

This is how Val Gardena celebrates its promotion. © Thomas Debelyak

For the first time in their club history, the Val Gardena team has made it to the highest regional league. Looking back at the history, it's truly a fairytale that coach Rene Rella's team has created. Three years ago, Val Gardena was still playing in the 2nd Amateur League (!), but was promoted at the end of the 2021/22 season and immediately won the 1st Amateur League title the following season. In their debut year in the regional league, they achieved a strong 8th place, and now they are crowning this almost unbelievable run. Michael Bacher, who played his last career game on Sunday, will no longer be part of the team.

Val Gardena – Nago Torbole 3:3, 5:4 iE

Gates: 0:1 Tiozzo (19th), 0:2 Mirko Demez (45th), 1:2 Forcinella (59th), 2:2 Forcinella (90th + 6th), 3:2 Piccoliori (94th), 3:3 Garcia (108th)

penalties shoot
For Val Gardena meet Piccoliori, Sogheir, Unterkicher, Jenegger, Tiozzo
For Nago Torbole Garcia, Forcinella, Rosa, Pierro meet, while Prandi fails