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Amazing Grazer

With grit aplenty, Walter Schachner's Grazer AK will prove tough opponents for Liverpool FC.

By Thomas Zeh

Revenge is sweet but glory is even sweeter. When coach Walter Schachner led unfashionable Grazer AK to an Austrian double, he laid the ghost of his premature dismissal by FK Austria Wien. However, with a UEFA Champions League date with Liverpool FC looming, the coach now has bigger fish to fry.

Sweet revenge
With a budget approximately three times greater than GAK's, Austria were expected to breeze their way to title success last season. However, as it happened, GAK beat them to the crown by one point three days before beating the capital club 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out, following a 3-3 draw, to lift the Austrian Cup.

Battling qualities
"Today spirit managed to overcome money," said the 47-year-old former Austrian international striker Schachner after a game that had seen his side come from a goal behind three times. It was a result that said everything about the coach's determination and the spirit that gave GAK their first Austrian title.

Long career
Schachner made his name at the age of 17 when he scored a spectacular goal in a 2-1 win against Spain at the 1978 FIFA World Cup finals to help his country progress to the last eight. He continued to play for another 24 years, hanging up his boots at the age of 41.

Kärnten achievement
His coaching career started with FC Zeltweg, but it was in winning the Austrian Cup and Super Cup as well as promotion to the top flight with FC Kärnten in 2000/01 that he made his reputation. After such a great season, it was no shock when Austria came calling for 'Schoko' in September 2002.

Painful blow
Schachner's goals had helped Austria win three league titles and one Austrian Cup, so it was a devastating blow when he was replaced by German Christoph Daum just eleven games into his first season back at the club. All the more so since he had only lost one game after taking charge.

Back to GAK
However, his revenge was to be swift. He returned to GAK, leading them from the relegation zone to runners-up slot - behind Austria - in the league in 2002/03 before mounting their successful challenge the following term.

Bargain signings
The key to GAK's success has been frugal spending, an eye for wasted talent and tactical know-how. Thus, former Kärnten players Emanuel Pogatetz and Roland Kollmann - both of whom returned from disappointing spells abroad last season desperate to prove that they were no failures - were brilliant signings.

Roth overwhelmed
Pogatetz and Kollmann were two of six GAK players to earn international call-ups on the back of a terrific season, which ended in league triumph on 15 May after a 1-1 draw at home against SV Pasching. "It is the first league title in 102 years for the club," said GAK president and former goalkeeper Rudi Roth. "A dream has finally come true and I'd like to thank the Lord, Walter Schachner, the team and the fans."

'A hassle'
Still keen to prove his point with GAK, Schachner turned down the opportunity to move to German side VfB Stuttgart this summer, after their coach Felix Magath went to FC Bayern München. "I would have had too little time to start my preparations for such a mission," he explained. "It would have been a hassle."

GAK spirit
GAK missed out on the group stages of the Champions League after an extra-time defeat against AFC Ajax last season. Liverpool will now need to be on their toes to ensure that the GAK spirit does not overcome money again.

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