Victorious Giants

Hupf in Gatsch: Virus can’t stop Graz!

The Graz Giants celebrated their second win of the season.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Second game, second win! The footballers of the Graz Giants followed up their opening win at home against Prague with a victory over the Rangers in Mödling. The "Giants" of US coach Michael Mattingly won 13:0 in the AFL. Jakob Schneeberger and Fritz Bleckmann were big in the picture for the Styrians with two touchdowns.

"We cured a few aches and pains during the week, all the men are on board," said Giants sporting director Christoph Kipperer one day before the clash with Rangers Mödling. Whereby aches and pains for footballers are more serious injuries for the average person. "If someone has broken fingers but doesn't really need their hand in the game, then they just turn up with a tape," smiles Kipperer. Footballers are tough.

All aboard? Not at all! That was no longer the case on Saturday. A virus had put some of the "giants" out of action and coach Michael Mattingly had to do without half a dozen. "Young players stepped in and did a good job," said Kipperer after the game, pleased with the talents.

Bleckmann with 76 yards
The Giants nevertheless celebrated a (laborious) 13:0 victory. In inhospitable conditions. "Heavy rain, plus wind - it was difficult conditions and ground conditions. The players kept slipping in the mud. The defense kept us in the game today," said the sporting director.

But also Jakob Schneeberger, who was responsible for the lead in the second quarter. Fritz Bleckmann then decided the game. The Graz junior team player, who will be at the World Cup in Canada in June, could not be stopped by the Lower Austrians and made everything clear with a 76-yard run.