Intense Showdown in Klagenfurt: Head-to-Head Comparison of Cup Final Contenders

The Big Dance Is Here: WAC and Hartberg are set to make history as they square off in the 2025 Austrian Cup Final at Wörthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt. Referee Walter Altmann will kick things off at 5 PM (live ORF1). This will be the first time either team is gracing the cup final, and the stands are expected to be packed, with approximately 20,000 tickets already sold for fans of both teams.

Coach Kuhbauer: "Double? That would be out of this world!"

Life's Game

The match is a high-pressure moment for many players, not just for the club, as captain Dominik Baumgartner of WAC explains, "it's the most important game for many players, and you can feel that in the whole atmosphere. With the final just around the corner, the tension is definitely increasing."

Hartberg coach Manfred Schmid calls this "the biggest game the club has ever played," but he's a realistic strategist," it only stays a fond memory if you win it. We have a clear game plan in our heads. That's what we need to stick to."

Comparing the Two FinalistsOur website offers a compare and contrast analysis of the two cup finalists.

The Past of Two Clubs

WAC: WAC, established in 1931, played in lower leagues for an extended period. In 1994, the WAC joined the new Regionalliga Mitte (3rd performance level). In a significant leap, WAC earned promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2012. In 2020/21, the WAC reached the round of 16 of the Europa League, giving them some international experience.

Hartberg: Hartberg, founded in 1946, spent many years in Styrian lower leagues until "Sparkasse Hartberg" achieved promotion to the Landesliga in 1978. In a historic move, Hartberg secured promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in the summer of 2018. In the 2019/20 season, Hartberg finished fifth in the league and made it to the second qualifying round of the Europa League, albeit falling to Piast Gliwice (POL).

The Presidents

Dietmar Riegler: Dietmar Riegler, age 59, is the face of WAC, an entrepreneur who generates 400,000 tons of wood pellets annually (that's why "RZ Pellets"). He serves as the main sponsor for the club and is usually seen at the edge of the field in the Lavanttal Arena.

Brigitte Annerl: Brigitte Annerl, a 55-year-old entrepreneur from Vienna, brings a positive energy to Hartberg. Her company, Lenus Pharma, specializes in producing means against male infertility. Annerl is unafraid to engage with fans and remains undeterred by confrontations.

The Road to the ÖFB Cup Final

Success from Spot Kicks: With a dramatic win in the penalty shootout against LASK, WAC claimed their spot in the final. The other Bundesliga-versus-Bundesliga showdown was also settled from the point, as WAC edged out Austria Klagenfurt.

Strong in Defense: Hartberg has only conceded one goal in five cup games this season. Their cup journey started with an 11:1 victory over Bischofshofen, followed by a 6:0 win against Lafnitz, a 3:0 triumph against Austria Lustenau, a 2:0 victory over Hartberg, and finally, a 1:0 victory against Wiener Austria in the semi-finals. The only downside was every cup game this season had to be played away.

The Man Behind WAC

Didi Kühbauer: Kühbauer, an Austrian native from Burgenland, was part of the WAC team from 2013 to 2015 and was instrumental in a Europa League clash against Dortmund during that time. After successful stints with St. Pölten, Rapid, and LASK, Kühbauer returned at the beginning of this season. As always, Kühbauer's co-trainer Manfred Nastl, an emotional contrast, and Hannes Jochum, who has worked with the WAC since 2013, are by his side.

Why Kühbauer Deserves the Cup Win

Hartberg's Roster

Thierno Ballo: Among rising talents like Zukic, Nwaiwu, and Kojzek, Ballo is the closest to being called a star for WAC. Kühbauer trained the 23-year-old as a teenager at Rapid. Ballo boasts 19 scorer points in 32 games.

Donis Avdijaj: The skilled technician, 28-year-old German-Kosovar, has been happier at Hartberg than at any of the nine other clubs he's played for. Avdijaj has 25 scorer points in 32 games and could potentially depart without a transfer fee.

sources: 1. Wiener Zeitung, 2. Kronen Zeitung, 3. Laola1, 4. Fussball-Aktuell

The international stage calls for both WAC and Hartberg as they compete in the 2025 Champions League qualifiers, aiming to represent Austria in the European leagues.
With the anticipated influx of spectators, the organization is confident to display an impressive stadium atmosphere for the high-stakes football match.
In the midst of the vigorous training sessions, Coach Kuhbauer silently articulates his desire for WAC to clinch the domestic double—cup and league titles—a feat he considers "out of this world."
As the two finalists gear up for the ÖFB Cup Final, keen fans can find a detailed compare and contrast analysis of the clubs' past performances, histories, and the influential roles of their presidents: Dietmar Riegler of WAC and Brigitte Annerl of Hartberg.
Starting next season, the product of Coach Kuhbauer's dedication and the collective efforts of Thierno Ballo, Donis Avdijaj, and the rest of WAC's roster will be unveiled as they embrace the challenges of domestic and international sports, endeavoring to etch their names among the Champions League champions.