Frustration in Graz

Curve frustration: fans up in arms against stadium plans

The north curve of the Sturm fans - for most people it is unimaginable that they will have to share this stand with their red arch-rivals in future,(Bild: Sepp Pail)

The City of Graz's proposal for the hard core of GAK and Sturm supporters to share a stand in future has met with widespread and unsurprising rejection

There was probably one main topic of conversation among Styrian soccer fans on Thursday: as the "Krone" newspaper revealed, the city of Graz is proposing that Sturm and GAK share a fan stand in Liebenau in future. That's all it took, because the hard core of black and red supporters are obviously pulling in the same direction on this issue.

"An absolute no-go"
"If this is supposed to be the long-awaited solution, it's an absolute no-go for us," Georg Kleinschuster from the "Sturmflut" makes clear. "In the few cities where there is only one stadium for two clubs, the infrastructure has been adapted accordingly. In Genoa or Milan, you stand in your own curve during a derby. But in Graz, they're obviously just looking for the cheapest solution."

The Red Curve has a similar view: "Anyone who proposes something like this has never really looked into soccer culture," shakes his head, as a season ticket holder from Sector 22 says. "Our home has been the Südwestkurve for years now - a move would be a slap in the face for the majority of us."

The GAK players swear in front of the red curve - will this happen in the "north" in future?(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The move of the GAK fans to the north stand is not yet set in stone - as reported, several proposals are on the table. At the next meeting between the city and the clubs in two weeks' time, a solution is to be worked out "together", according to City Councillor for Finance Manfred Eber (KPÖ). However, it is also clear that the option preferred by the clubs with an extended GAK home sector would cost 22 more money - which currently seems unrealistic in view of the city's tight coffers without the clubs' financial participation.