Backstage: European Cup feeling for U18s

As in the previous season, Austria Vienna has been invited to take part in the Al Abtal International Cup. There, the Violet U18s have the chance to compete with top international teams. The chance to reach the quarter-finals is still alive. A look behind the scenes of the last group match against Sporting in Lisbon.

The violet talents picked up an impressive seven points from the first three group games. Captain Daniel Nnodim & Co. scored maximum points against top teams Nottingham Forest (2-0) and Villarreal CF (2-1) and drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabian representative Future Falcons.

In the fourth group match, they faced Sporting, one of the best academies in Europe, in Lisbon. It was to be an exciting trip with an instructive game for our violets, during which BengoMedia and stif.vision captured the best moments behind the scenes.

Thrilling constellation in Group C

The Al Abtal Cup is played in four groups of five teams each. The top four teams and the three best runners-up will advance to the quarter-finals together with a team from the Future Falcons.

Austria Vienna are currently in first place in Group C with seven points, but already have two games in hand on their closest rivals Sporting (2nd, 6 points). In third and fourth place are Villareal CF (3rd, 3 points) and Nottingham Forest FC (4th, 3 points). The Future Falcons bring up the rear with just one point.

Group games and head-to-head matches between the contenders will continue until the end of March. On March 20, it will be decided whether Manuel Takacs' boys will advance to the quarter-finals.

Players born in 2006 or later are eligible to play in the Al Abtal International Cup, and three players born in 2005 are also allowed to play.