Big dreams in the big arena

Big football dreams came true last weekend. A total of 32 teams from Graz and the Graz area got the unique chance to play football in the Merkur Arena on Saturday and Sunday. The “Open Stadium Weekend” took place on the initiative of Exhibition Director Barbara Muhr and City Councilor for Sports Kurt Hohensinner. 16 friendlies were played over two days, including the Graz derby between the two special teams from Sturm Graz and the GAK, the women's duel between LUV Graz and the GAK or the match between SV Justiz and the Grazer Sportklub. In addition to numerous junior teams - from U 10 to U 17 - some clubs from the Hobby Football League (HFL) were allowed to play in the venerable stadium. The joy was huge, as was the motivation. And who knows: Perhaps there was also someone among the youngest footballers who will play again in the Merkur Arena in a few years - during Sturm or GAK ...

In any case, the results were secondary, the feeling of being able to play in the largest stadium in Styria prevailed in all of them. And it was also something very special for the fans (25 spectators per team were allowed) to be able to cheer on their loved ones in the big arena. The résumé of the participants was unanimous: It would be nice if this action could take place again - possibly before the next lawn change in the stadium ... This week the current lawn will be replaced, in a few days the Merkur Arena will be a perfect green again exhibit.