The capacity of the aluminum stands is about 500 and they are 3/4 full. No football field in Austria has stands on both sides of the field. Home and visitors alike occupy the ones on the same side. There is no pressbox but a facsimile of one is formed from a tarp, a table, and some electronic equipment. There are 4 capable speakers set in front of the stands, facing the crowd. The first thing one notices is the constant steam of music emitted from them. Before plays, between plays, after plays, there is a rapid fire string of nusical highlights that would make the ardent music fan proud. Songs from artists ranging from the Black Eyed Peas to Big and Rich play at the highest level possible for the speakers. A tradition is to have a recorded "touchdown song". No bands playing the fight song. They usually have a favorite song to play. After the Austrians scores, a song of a patriotic nature played. The Serbians never got to play theirs.
We have 4 of our players that are members of the National team. Each performed well and the Austrian thump the Serbians 57-0. I observed that there was no letting up on the team that had fallen behind. With less than 2 minutes remaining, up by 50, the Austrians were executing pass after pass. I called this to our coach's attention and before he could answer, our team president, from one row in front of us proclaimed ' NO MERCY FOR THE SERBIANS"
OK, must have a little bad blood in the past.
Following the game, both teams lined up on the sideline, side by side, facing the crowd. The three Austrian captains ran the length of the line as the players effectively performed the wave as they ran by. When they reached the end, they invited what I presumed was the Serbian captain to run back with them. The players again performed the wave as the captains passed. Upon inquiry, I was told that this was called "greeting the crowd". It is a custom that follows games.
Following the game, we talked to our players, met their parents and families. The afternoon had been sunny but was starting to cool as the wind started to blow. We retired to a Biergarten. This is just an eating and drinking establishment that has a place to dine on the outside. A little too cold for that so we ate inside.
The Biergarten was a number of connected small rooms with dark panelling. Thick wooden slabs formed the tops of tables and comfortable wooden chairs held a number of patrons. The first thing the waiter set on our table was an ash tray. Austria has a law that requires the dining establishment to have a no-smoking area. This told me that we were not in that area. Austria has not come around so quickly to anti-smoking education and laws banning it have been resisted in recent years.
Upon taking our drink orders (Pepsi Light; in the US, this is Diet Pepsi), he handed us menus printed in German. I immediately found Wienerschnitzel. I requested the one marked huhnen "mit salat". A chicken weinerschnitzel with salad. I also had them throw in "pommes" (fries).
The Schnitzel consumption rate rose to 10 on this day.
Following the game, we went back to watch the Vienna Vikings play. They are probably the most popular (and most well-marketed) team in Austria. They have their own theme song, mascot (inexplicably, a purple elephant named Nelly), team apparel, and larger following. The hapless Belgrade team (coached by Ruben Draughans; recently an NFL running back) were their own worst enemies as snap after snap sailed errantly over the Punter and Qb's head. It was 28-0 when we left in the waning seconds of the first quarter. Suffice it to say, I had heard the touchdown song and seen Nelly (WITH the crowd joining in) dance more than enough.
We returned to the Villa and watched the film from the scrimmage with some of the players that had been scheduled to watch. The players accepted criticism and coaching with a good attitude and the next practice produced improvement. Sickness, work, injuries, and various other obstacles stood in the way of optimum practice conditions but our goal is to coach the ones that are there and for them to get better as something every time they come.
We face the Salzburg Bulls Sunday. The American reader may recognize Salzburg as the setting of the "Sound of Music" (in which Austrians have little interest) OR you may recognize the product called "Red Bull" that calls Salzburg its home base of operations. I expect more amazing views from the countryside and top notch play from the Rangers.
This will be the first time Susan sees us play and the first time in 32 years she has ridden a football team bus. Should be a good time.
See you later.
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