Pastor before Cup clash

“Rapids’ soccer god would forgive me for the win”

Rapid pastor Pelczar hopes for a Stripfing victory.

(Bild: Urbantschitsch Mario)

Christoph Pelczar is a pastor at Grün-Weiß and will challenge his favorite club in the Cup round of 16 on Tuesday as Stripfing's chairman. The "Krone" visited him in the church in Weikendorf. The audience with the Pope remains unforgotten, and he has maintained a close friendship with legend Steffen Hofmann for years.

Through a small wooden door into the beautiful inner courtyard, then up exactly 24 steps to the second floor. Pictures of his most memorable moments, crosses and soccer shirts adorn the walls, while the punching bag at the end of the corridor immediately catches the eye. "Welcome to my kingdom," said Christoph Pelczar, welcoming the "Krone" at the site inspection on Tuesday in the parish in Weikendorf, Lower Austria.

The 49-year-old spoke to the "Krone" beforehand.

(Bild: Urbantschitsch Mario)

The 1790 square meters of heatable living space leave nothing to be desired, and Pelczar, who came to Austria from Poland in 1997, has felt right at home here for 21 years. He was ordained a priest in 2000. "I'm an absolute pleasure-seeker, I like to start the morning with coffee and a cigarillo. That's the best way for me to enter another dimension." Stripfing's chairman is looking forward to Tuesday like a little child. Because in the cup round of 16 (18.15), Austrias Kooperationsklub will host Pelczar's favorite club Rapid at Hohe Warte. At Grün-Weiß, where Louis Schaub is back after a concussion and rotation is an issue, he worked for five years as a mental coach for young players and was worth his weight in gold for many of the players who developed a strong bond with him. 

In 2018, Rapid had an audience with the Pope.

(Bild: Christoph Pelczar)

Which is why the 49-year-old has been an indispensable, cult figure at Rapid since 2016. "At a wedding, I talked to the couple about the round ball and then played a few passes in the church. Some Rapid players from the club were there too, I didn't even know that. I don't believe in coincidences. When someone tells me I'm crazy, it's the greatest compliment of all. Sports director Hörtnagl brought me to the club after a job interview."

He trusted ex-Rapidler players such as Stefan Schwab and Dejan Ljubicic. "I have over 30,000 photos on my phone, they are unforgettable experiences. Just like the audience with the Pope in 2018. He took a lot of time for Rapid, even though we were late because of the heavy traffic in Rome. Ljubicic hugged the Pope with joy, Joelinton had tears in his eyes."

He has a close friendship with Rapids soccer god Steffen Hofmann.

(Bild: Christoph Pelczar)

Stripfing's new mascot in the shape of a church mouse is presented before the game, and Rapids managing director Steffen Hofmann and Pelczar swap shirts in a gesture against violence and hatred. "Rapids' soccer god would forgive me for our victory. We all just want to enjoy this celebration, I don't see the game as David against Goliath." Pelczar has now been working as a stripfing obamnn since February. "I also see my job as a peace mission, that everyone pulls together, that a common euphoria is kindled. If there's one thing I can do, it's convince and inspire people."