"A heavy blow"

Regional league footballer dies at the age of just 24

Alexander Steinlechner died at the age of just 24.(Bild: facebook.com/sc.weiz)

Great sadness in the local soccer world: Alexander Steinlechner from SC Weiz (Regionalliga Mitte) passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of just 24 after suffering a cardiac arrest. His coach Alois Hödl is stunned: "He was always likeable, cheerful and helpful. This is a huge blow for the team."

The shock at SC Weiz runs deep. "It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of our No. 20 Alex Steinlechner. We wish all family members a lot of strength in this difficult time. Steini, we will never forget you," wrote the regional league club on Wednesday afternoon.

Although the emergency doctor was quickly on the scene, took care of Steinlechner, who according to his coach Alois Hödl was in his apartment at the time of the incident, and took him to hospital immediately, it was no longer possible to save the young athlete's life. "He was such a sweet and nice guy with a great attitude," mourns Hödl. The match against St. Anna scheduled for Friday was canceled.

Alexander Steinlechner died at the age of just 24.(Bild: facebook.com/sc.weiz)

Fighting back after a collision
In an interview with the "Krone", Hödl explained that Steinlechner had already suffered epileptic seizures in the fall after a collision with his head in training. But things got better, an internist gave the soccer enthusiast the green light and Steinlechner was able to play competitive sport again (also with the help of a special helmet).

"He made his way back to team training individually and was more positive from time to time. We kept a close eye on how he was doing and only did what was possible for him." After playing for the second team, the defender fought his way back into the first-team squad. Steinlechner was on the bench for the 2-0 win in Deutschlandsberg on Friday. Nobody could have expected that it would be the last game with his teammates.