An emotionally charged afternoon got underway in the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium with a quick look into the future. Club Services Manager Andy Marek welcomed the Rapid u-10 team onto the field for a 7-a-side friendly against a local outfit. It was a fitting way to start a day of contrasts between old and new between past, present and future. It was the young Rapid hopeful's first, and last, taste of action in the Hanappi, and they will be dreaming of running out onto the new turf in the Allianz Stadium in the future. The lads served up a game worthy of the occasion, scoring six before setting off on a well deserved lap of honour. 1996 UEFA Cup Finalists vs Rapid All-Stars Youth then (very much) gave way to experience as the legends match got under way with the 1996 UEFA Cup finalists taking on an All Star team. Hero's from yesteryear lined up for both sides, with the likes of Didi Kühbauer and Carsten Jancker turning out for the class of '96, whilst amongst others Reinhard Kienast and USA co-trainer Andi Herzog turned out for the legends. The were also several familiar faces from Rapid's more recent past: Markus Katzer, Stefan Kulovits and Jimmy Hoffer came back to add some much needed legs to the All-Star team, whilst ex-trainer and Rapid icon Peter Schöttel also returned for one more outing on the hallowed Hütteldorf turf. Each of the players was given a rapturous applause by the quickly filling Gerhard Hanappi Stadium as they were individually announced by Andy Marek. The list of honours, appearances and achievements of these Green & White legends is testimony both to the players and the club: the roots in the entire Green & White family run deep and few clubs inspire the levels of devotion and loyalty this great club obviously conjures. The legends match ran like a Hütteldorf 'Who's Who' and was worthy of such a momentous occasion. An incredible array of talented players and loyal servants have graced the Hanappi Stadium since it was opened 37 years ago. The current incumbents of the modern Rapid jersey looked on from the substitutes bench: it will be up to them and future generations of Rapid players graduating from the prolific youth academy to write new chapters in this club's rich history. The legends match finished as a hard fought, high octane 3:3 thriller (!) and the stage was set for the main event. The whole stadium was a bubbling cauldron of emotion as Andy Marek lead the crowd through the starting line up for the last time in the Hanappi Stadium. Before kick off one of the most important choreography displays in the clubs history took place. In true block West fashion a spectacular, but also emotional display was delivered, as huge hand painted canvasses covering the length and breadth of the entire west stand depicted a film roll, showing stand out moments from the club's 37 year stay in the historic St. Hanappi. New signing Schwab in starting line upSummer signing Stefan Schwab was in the starting line up against a Celtic side featuring the likes of Scottish internationals Scott Brown, Charlie Mulgrew and ex-Arsenal striker Anthony Stokes. Rapid took an early lead when a Schwab free kick from the right hand side of the penalty area was put through his own net by a Celtic defender - 1:0 and the goal celebration music rang out at least one last time in the Hanappi (9.). The early stages of the match saw both sides playing controlled football in the hot Viennese sunshine. The midfield passing pattern of the game was broken up in the 19th minute when Steffen Hofmann arrowed in a right footed shot on the Celtic goal from the edge of the area, but his effort was dealt with by Hoops keeper Lukas Zaluska. Ten minutes later Celtic should've drawn level when Anthony Stokes sprang a leaky Rapid offside trap to rush through on goalie Jan Novota. Stokes fed he ball square, presenting an open goal to Derek Boerrigter who missed the target, side footing wide from 7 or 8 yards out (29.). After looking comfortable for much of the half and shading possession, the chance was the culmination of a gradual shift in momentum away from Rapid. However, the game was largely circumstantial, as the stands continued to demand as much attention as the game. The fans were determined to give the stadium a fitting send off, and both the Block West and the Lords in the East Stand were relentless in putting on a stunning display of support that has become synonymous with Rapid Vienna. The last ever first half in the Gerhard Hanappi ended without any further opportunities for either side and with the Green & Whites a goal to the good. New faces introduced at half timeZoran Barisic made several changes to the line up for the start of the second half: Max Hofmann and Dominik Wydra were introduced as were new signings Stefan Stangl, Philipp Schobesberger and Robert Beric. The first sight of goal in the second half arrived in the 59th minute when a slick passing move involving Steffen Hofmann, Schobesberger and Schaub ended with Schaub cutting into the Celtic box and firing narrowly over with his favoured left foot. It was a decent opportunity for Louis Schaub, who will be looking to rise to the challenge of being a creative spark in the Rapid attack following the departures of Burgstaller and Sabitzer. It was the best moment of the half from either team in a match that was yet to fully spark into life since the restart. Celtic draw levelRecently appointed Celtic boss Ronny Delia made a swathe of changes on the hour mark, no doubt wanting to have a look at his newly inherited squad. Following a good period from the Hütteldorfers, and against the run of play, Celtic grabbed an equaliser. Capitalising on a break down of play, the Scottish champions broke forwards and forced Jan Novota into a good diving save, but substitute Teemu Pukki was on hand to slide home the rebound - 1:1 (71.) The substitutes continued to flow as having being beaten Jan Novota made way for Marko Maric, shortly before the last ever 'Rapid-Viertelstunde' in the Hanappi, which was set ablaze with red fire and green smoke. Back on the field another new signing - speed merchant Srdjan Grahovac - came on for a quick taste of the legendary Hanappi atmosphere, as did Philipp Prosenik. If the game had largely petered out in the closing stages, the atmosphere in the stadium certainly hadn't. In the corner of the ground sunlight burst through, illuminating the smoke emanating from the Block West as impassioned cries rang around from all four stands in the Hanappi. There was more than just a tinge of emotion in all the songs pouring down from the terraces as the referee blew the whistle for the final time in this famous old stadium. The game had finished 1:1, but the fact barely registered on a crowd still in full voice. Finally the lights were symbolically turned out and the curtains drawn on 37 years of history in the Hanappi stadium. The Gerhard Hanappi Stadium 1997 - 2014
09.07.2014