Let the games begin: Austrian local football is back

SC Kittsee and SC Parndorf score seven goals between them in an exciting friendly match, 4:3 in Kittsee’s favour. It’s great to have football and public events back. Everyone was happy to be able to see their friends and neighbours again.

Breakaway by Manuel Frey who dominated SC Parndorf up front with slippery moves

Manuel Frey drives the ball into the net at short range — Manuel Frey was a revelation on the attack, slipping past defenders many times and scoring.

Jozef Sombat darts ahead of Parndorf defenders — There’s almost no one who can keep up with Jozef Sombat.

Jozef Sombat chased by Parndorf’s Thomas Lamster — Jozef Sombat enjoyed many breaks down both sides. One quick move, a good kick of the ball ahead and it’s off to the races.

High Header — Jozef Sombat leaping high for a header

Nifty dribbling — Manuel Frey outmanoevers Christoph Schneider by Parndorf net

Dietmann drives on net — Patrick Dietmann fights his way past Lukas Hoffman

Headbutted by Hoffman — Patrick Dietmann headbutted by SC Parndorf defender Lukas Hoffman. If a normal tackle won’t work, put your head in like a linebacker.

Marko pours on the speed — Mario Marko overtakes Julian Gollowitzer

Marko outruns Parndorf — Mario Marko outmanoevers Parndorf defender

Pavol Bellas header to score — Pavol Bellas scores with a header off of a neat Mario Marko cross. Sometimes it is the camera which lets you down. Picked up focus on background instead of on Bellas or the ball.

Marko breakaway — Mario Marko zipping down the left side before a big save by Samuel Luntzer

Daniel Klinkhammer fights for ball — Daniel Klinkhammer survives an assault by Thomas Lamster and company

Hoffman header — Lukas Hoffman heads the ball at the Kittsee net manned by Peter Barinec

Pavol Bellas sharp shot from wing — Pavol Bellas sends another dangerous shot towards Parndorf netkeeper Samuel Luntzer

Pavol Bellas in the fast lane — Pavol Bellas overtakes Lukas Eisenbarth in a race for the bar in front of Kittsee coach Franz Ziniel

Pavol Bellas breaks down left flank — Pavol Bellas outruns Lukas Eisenbarth with the ball

Pavol Bellas drives on net — Pavol Bellas carries the ball single handedly the length of the field

Pavol Bellas scores almost single handedly — Pavol Bellas scores from in front Parndorf net after eluding the entire Parndorf defence

Jozef Sombat cross falls to Pavol Bellas — Jozef Sombat cross to Pavol Bellas in front of Parndorf net

Sun sets on an exciting exhibition game — Early evening sun after an exciting summer exhibition game

Happy Franz Ziniel — Thumbs up from Franz Ziniel after SC Kittsee scores four goals.

The team looks good. Manuel Frey is very solid in the center. Pavol Bellas is a real multi-purpose threat in this league, both as a solid tackling mid-fielder and a dangerous forward. Jozef Sombat runs like a gazelle, while Mario Marko is as quick and slippery as ever. Timing is still off on both teams, defenders were sometimes not picking up their marks. It’s exhibition season after all. It was good to see the game played almost without injury. There were a few dramatic dives, but how could it be otherwise after everyone in Europe has just watched Spain, Italy, France and Portugal play for the last month in Euro 2020. Referee Rene Radl called a solid game, neither encouraging dramatics nor allowing dangerous tackles. Kittsee is very fortunate to have two very solid netminders backing up their defence.

PS. There’s more photos of Kittsee forwards and mid-fielders than defenders due to where I was on the pitch and the limits of a 70-200mm. It’s hard to cover the whole field solo. On that note, while the players need some exhibition games, so do the photographers. The last game I shot was in October 2020. It’s been almost a year without a game.