Magnificent setting: FC Obermais always played in front of packed stands at their home games on the Lahn River. © P. Schwienbacher (3)

What worked well for FCO in the fall

FC Obermais' first half of the season has come to an end. In their historic first Serie D campaign, the Merano-based club has collected 12 points, with a goal difference of 13:28. That's the bare facts. But who impressed this autumn and where is there room for improvement? SportNews takes stock and highlights the top performers in this first part.

25 December 2025

From: cst

FC Obermais has lost eleven of its seventeen matches so far in the current Serie D season. Before they resume play with a home game against Este on January 4th, they will be... SportNews A first-half review. The fact is: South Tyrol needs to improve in the spring; then staying in the league – if necessary via the relegation playoffs – is within reach.

Six players from last year's championship-winning squad have made the leap to regular starters in Serie D: goalkeeper Luca Tenderini, defenders Alex Debiasi, Alex Demetz, and Marco Paulmichl, winger Edoardo Ghiotti, and striker Manuel Brusco. Paulmichl's performances are particularly impressive, as the 31-year-old from Laatsch had only one season of Oberliga experience to his name. With two goals (both against Cjarlins Muzane), Paulmichl is also FCO's third-highest scorer.

Marco Paulmichl (2nd from right) had his finest hour against Cjarlin's Muzane, when he scored a brace.

Other South Tyrolean players also put in strong performances: Oliver Rohrer, through hard work and unwavering determination, developed into a formidable defensive option. Young Alexander Gander from Glurns improved steadily throughout the first half of the season (starting in the last seven matches). Tizian Stecher, a year younger, has also overcome his initial shyness, although he still has considerable potential to unlock. Michael Kofler from Val Gardena showed promise but was plagued by injuries. Raphael Unterthurner (from Riffian) also possesses great potential, as does homegrown talent Stefan Turini – who was recently sidelined with an injury.

Villgrattner is the biggest surprise

The biggest surprise of the first half of the season was undoubtedly Samuel Villgrattner. The 19-year-old from the Lower Inn Valley, who came from Weinstraße Süd in the regional league, needed hardly any time to settle in at Serie D. Villgrattner showed what he was capable of, especially after Armand Srmcka was injured. The Viennese professional struggled to reclaim the starting position from the young South Tyrolean. With almost 1.000 minutes of playing time, Villgrattner is among the top eight FCO players with the most minutes on the pitch.

The rising star: Samuel Villgrattner, coming from the regional league, immediately established himself in Serie D.

It's remarkable how well Serie D is being received in South Tyrol. Any doubts about the attractiveness of the opponents before the season have now been dispelled. The Lahn River has been a real crowd-puller. For the last home game against San Luigi, over 1.000 South Tyroleans came to Obermais – on December 21st, no less! Sports enthusiasts from all over South Tyrol flock to the FCO sports grounds on the edge of the Botanical Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle – partly because the club gives many local players a chance in Serie D. The FCO management has proven they can handle Serie D.

Of the three professionals, Kilian Bauernfeind impressed the most. The North Tyrolean's mentality makes him an excellent fit for FCO, and he was a key player on the pitch. His only drawback: his output – goals and assists – could be better; Bauernfeind needs to work on that.