The clubs have obtained licenses for no fewer than five world champions. Union Kirchham is at the forefront in this regard, and with Lukhumi Chkhvimiani (Geo) and Nemanja Majdov (Srb) he has landed two former World Cup champions. “We’ll try everything to stay in the league,” said Kirchham coach Bernhard Beiskammer, whose team will face Pinzgau, Stadlau, Flachgau and Multikraft Wels in a five-a-side pool today. The best two of the two groups move into the Final Four in Gmunden (November 20th). Wels has grown into the role of favorites following the recent performances of Shamil and Wachid Borchashvili. “Wachid won’t fight because of a tinnitus, that’s what national coach Bönisch agreed,” said Wels coach Manfred Dullinger.
Defending champion Galaxy Tigers Vienna, who also has two world champions in their line-up with Jorge Fonseca (Por) and Lukas Krpalek (Cze), will start today in the other group with the UJZ Mühlviertel, which is the champion quintet with Matthias Casse (Bel) completed. The accumulation of this extra class is noticeable, partly also a consequence of the long compulsory break. “Since the preliminary round is concentrated on one day this year, the resources that you would otherwise need for a whole season can be made loose,” explains Dullinger.
