Homegrown Violets bloom again

This time last season FK Austria Wien were more concerned with avoiding relegation than contemplating a run for the title. Austria were a shadow of the side that won the title in 2004/05 and after finishing sixth in the ten-team Bundesliga looked unlikely to mount a determined challenge this time round. A change in philosophy, however, has brought tangible rewards as the capital club reach the mid-point of the season top of the table.

'Foreign legion'
"A year ago Austria were a foreign legion, not a team," coach Georg Zellhofer said. "There were no Austrians." This season 74 per cent of the squad is Austrian, and only three sides in the Bundesliga can boast a higher percentage of local players. Wholescale changes were made with an emphasis placed on integrating young Austrians into the squad. Foreign players still have a key role to fulfil, but the aim is to bring the best out of homegrown talent.

'Good mix'
"A good mix has been created under the leadership of Jacek Bąk, Milenko Ačimovič, Jocelyn Blanchard and David Lafata," Zellhofer explains. There are only seven foreign players in the squad, allowing talented young Austrians such as Franz Schiemer, Johannes Ertl and Florian Metz to establish themselves in the side. "The players are hungry and eager to learn," Zellhofer says.

Lady luck
Crowds are flocking back to the Franz-Horr-Stadion. The Violets have been averaging 6,700 per home game, an increase of almost 12 per cent on last season as supporters enjoy the tight title race and renewed interest in the sport ahead of UEFA EURO 2008™. Fortune has favoured Austria as well. They have avoided heavy injuries so far and have won a number of games through late goals; six of Austria's nine victories have been 1-0.

European experience
Participation in the UEFA Cup has given the club an added buzz, European qualification achieved thanks to their Austrian Cup victory against SV Mattersburg on 1 May. Games against the likes of European heavyweights FC Girondins de Bordeaux and Galatasaray AS may represent a steep learning curve for Austria's youngsters, but it is all valuable experience. "Sometimes the side was not clever enough," sporting director Thomas Parits said. "For the development of the young players especially, the UEFA Cup group stage is very valuable."

International call ups
European involvement, though, comes at a price. Competing on two fronts is taking its toll and in the last six matches Austria have won just once. The international break arrives at just the right time, though there will be little rest for the likes of Ertl, Ronald Gercaliu, Schiemer, Saniel Kuljic, Yüksel Sariyar and Joachim Standfest who have all been called up to the national squad.

Salzburg threat
International recognition is an indication of the success Austria are enjoying, but Zellhofer knows the real battles lie ahead. With LASK Linz and SK Rapid Wien only three points behind the leaders and Mattersburg and FC Salzburg just two further adrift, the title race is wide open. "Salzburg remain clear favourites and Rapid are my dark horses," Zellhoffer said.