With the tension rising before kick off, all tickets for the match sold out weeks in advance and anticipation peaking, Club Service Manager/Rapid icon Andy Marek went about his usual business of reading out the team sheets. He came to number ten and left the moment hanging in the air - number ten? Why the pause? Number 10 Louis Schaub! The young Rapid play-maker has taken over the famous number ten shirt after bursting onto the scene in spectacular fashion this year. It was confirmation, if...

skrapid.at: Mike, there was a lot of praise and expectation surrounding your move to Hütteldorf. Its taken a while for you to find your feet here, not least because of a serious injury to your Achilles tendon. You’re currently in your third season with us, how do you assess your time so far?Michael Schimpelsberger: I would say it wasn't an easy time. As I signed for the club there was a lot of discontent. As a young player at the time it was difficult to deal with different events, such...

skrapid.at: Christopher, we're currently in the middle of the Training camp, a quick assessment?Christopher Dibon: Firstly you've got to say that we've got top conditions here, even the training pitches and weather are on our side. Its important that we're doing these intensive sessions that are going to help us in the league in the long run.    There's a great mood about the place. Last Summer you mentioned that after signing for Rapid you found it easy to quickly integrate yourself...

skrapid.at: Mike, there was a lot of praise and expectation surrounding your move to Hütteldorf. Its taken a while for you to find your feet here, not least because of a serious injury to your Achilles tendon. You’re currently in your third season with us, how do you assess your time so far?Michael Schimpelsberger: I would say it wasn't an easy time. As I signed for the club there was a lot of discontent. As a young player at the time it was difficult to deal with different events, such...

There were a couple of signs since the arrival is Side that maybe, just maybe, the sun was going to peek through the clouds. Then, finally, on Tuesday the long awaited rays arrived and the first team, reserves, trainer and consultancy teams could finally bask in the Turkish sunshine, a welcome final ingredient to kick the positive and cheery atmosphere up another notch. All the players threw themselves into the sessions, much to the pleasure of Trainer Zoran Barisic: "the attitude is great,...

skrapid.at: Christopher, we're currently in the middle of the Training camp, a quick assessment?Christopher Dibon: Firstly you've got to say that we've got top conditions here, even the training pitches and weather are on our side. Its important that we're doing these intensive sessions that are going to help us in the league in the long run.  There's a great mood about the place. Last Summer you mentioned that after signing for Rapid you found it easy to quickly integrate yourself in...

Departure from Rapid: Harry Pichler has swapped the green & white of Rapid for the green & black of SV Ried. 26 year old Pichler, who joined in Summer 2011 from Wacker Innsbruck, has finalised his move and leaves the club with immediate effect. With Pichler's contract due to expiring in the Summer, Ried moved in and secured his signature for an undisclosed fee.Pichler made 71 appearances (2 goals) for the club, however during the current season the former Austria U-20 international has been...

Departure from Rapid: Harry Pichler has swapped the green & white of Rapid for the green & black of SV Ried. 26 year old Pichler, who joined in Summer 2011 from Wacker Innsbruck, has finalised his move and leaves the club with immediate effect. With Pichler's contract due to expiring in the Summer, Ried moved in and secured his signature for an undisclosed fee.Pichler made 71 appearances (2 goals) for the club, however during the current season the former Austria U-20 international has been...

At the turn of the twentieth century, football as a sport in  Austria was very much in its infancy. The game began to take root in Vienna, as a clutch of small nomadic club without recognised homes or identities began to compete. From this backdrop two of these small clubs 'Sparta' and 'Ostmark' combined to form the 'First Viennese Workers' Football Club.' With the polices approval a permanent home was secured a pitch next to the Radetzky Barracks which is still there today and on which...

This week it was back to business for the squad following their Christmas breaks. The players were actually put through their paces for the first time in 2014 on Tuesday, as they were all required to complete compulsory fitness tests, easing their way back into the slow process building up towards match fitness.With the exceptions of Marcel Sabitzer, Dominik Starkl (both participating compulsory service with the Federal Army, both will however be available for the training camp) and Stephan...