With Dübel as number 1

Departures and injuries: Altach start a new era

Sarah-Lisa Dübel should keep Altach on course for the Champions League.(Bild: Verein)

Altach's kickers didn't just go full throttle last weekend when they went karting - they also want to go full throttle this Sunday when the spring season kicks off with the quarter-final home game in the ÖFB Cup against SPG Kleinmünchen/BW Linz. Which is almost like a new era.

With ÖFB team striker Eileen Campbell, who has moved to SC Freiburg, U19 national team attacker Linda Natter (cruciate ligament rupture) and Vera Ellgass - who is spending a semester abroad in Canada - head coach Berni Summer is missing three fixed starters from the first half of the season. "Of course, these changes represent a completely new challenge," admits the 56-year-old. "But that doesn't change our goals." In other words: "We want to reach the Cup final again and maintain second place in the Bundesliga, which means a starting place in the Champions League qualifiers."

Opportunity to grow into new tasks
In addition to selective reinforcements such as attacking all-rounder Britta Poulins, Summer is relying on players he already had in the squad. "In attack, Sarina Heeb, Julia Kofler and the young Mia Bertsch will get their chance. I hope that they can grow into it," said the coach.

Decision in goal has been made
It is now also clear what will happen in the Altach goal. Dutchwoman Zoe Steenhuis, a regular in the Admiral Bundesliga in the fall, can now play in the Cup, while new winter signing Sarah-Lisa Dübel should keep the Rheindörflerinnen in second place in the league and on course for the Champions League. "I'm glad that we have two such good goalkeepers," says Summer. "Sarah-Lisa is a bit more confident with her foot and is currently also a bit more advanced in terms of communication."