Salzburg shape up for success

By Raimund Fabi

With less than four weeks to go before the new Austrian Bundesliga season, much of the attention is focused on whether SV Austria Salzburg can challenge the familiar triumvirate of SK Rapid Wien, FK Austria Wien and Grazer AK.

Striking signings
Heavily backed by a new investor, Salzburg have bolstered their team with a number of proven internationals. Czech striker Vratislav Lokvenc moves from VfL Bochum 1848 and could play alongside another new boy, Alexander Zickler, when the campaign kicks off on 12 July.

Meteoric rise
Zickler's former FC Bayern München team-mate Thomas Linke has also joined, along with prolific Austria forward Christian Mayrleb, defender Aleksander Knavs and former AC Siena goalkeeper Alexander Manninger. New coach Kurt Jara also has a new club captain, midfielder Markus Schopp, as he seeks the title after finishing second-from-bottom last term.

Manninger woe
But the club's ambition to claim a first championship since 1996/97 took an early blow in a pre-season friendly when Manninger dislocated a wrist. He could be sidelined for two months. Salzburg may also be wary of the example of Austria Wien who have been unable to convert a big budget into silverware.

Austria strengthen
Third in 2004/05, Austria coach Frank Schinkels has brought in half-a-dozen new faces. The most familiar is Slovenia captain Nastja Ceh, but Slovakia Under-21 striker Filip Šebo could soon challenge him if he continues the form that brought 22 goals last season for FC Artmedia Bratislava. Poland midfielder Arek Radomski has come from SC Heerenveen.

Adamski return
Champions Rapid have been less conspicuous on the transfer front, recruiting several players for little outlay. Defender Marcin Adamski is the most surprising addition, returning to the Gerhard Henappi stadium just six months after leaving for French side Angers SCO. Rapid discover their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round opponents on Thursday, and Steffan Hofmann will be particularly interested having delayed signing a new contract until August.

Wacker injection
GAK coach Walter Schachner has committed to a new deal, however, at least for another year as his team target a third successive top-two finish. Meanwhile, the one side likely to cause a few upsets are VfB Admira Wacker Mödling, who like Rapid have enjoyed a cash injection and have brought in eleven players, all with international experience.