Eight football clubs from Lower Austria (including two women's teams) competed in the first Casino Cup preliminary round at Casino Baden on Monday, June 20: ASK Blumau (2nd Class Triestingtal), FC Purkersdorf (2nd Class Traisental/AV), SV Jauerling (2nd Class Yspertal/AV), SCU Obersdorf/P. (2nd Class Weinviertel Süd), SCU Obersdorf/P. (Women's Group Weinviertel), SCU Raiffeisen Euratsfeld (Regional League West), SCU Raiffeisen Euratsfeld (Joker Wohnen Women's Group West) and ATSV Teesdorf (2nd Class Triestingtal).
After a joint reception at the Captain's Meeting, it was time for action: the participants played 20 minutes each of roulette and blackjack, followed by 60 minutes at the poker table. What was at stake was not money, but tournament chips; it was all about the entertainment and the fun factor.
Just like in a football match, the fans will also play an important role in the Casino Cup: fans of participating teams who had checked in at the casino were able to support their club with a free "Supporter Bonus" ticket (available independently of the purchase of welcome chips). The collected tickets were then credited to the teams as additional tournament points.
As co-initiator of the Casino Cup, the TV station PULS 4 accompanied this preliminary round and was able to capture many funny tournament impressions. After about an hour and a half, during which the fans voiced their enthusiastic support, three finalists remained in the poker tournament's final round: the ASK Blumau club, SCU Obersdorf/P. and FC Purkersdorf. The participants went on to an exciting final round at the poker game, in which the captain of FC Purkersdorf, Thomas Prager, finally came out on top. Accompanied by thunderous applause from his fans, he was able to accept the Casino Cup preliminary round trophy, bringing him one step closer to the Austrian final: he is now confirmed to play in the national final round in September. SCU Obersdorf/P. came in second place, and ASK Blumau came in third.
Take note, football clubs: there are still dates available for anyone who'd like to take part in the Casino Cup. Clubs can register at any time. Whoever prevails at the Austrian final in autumn can look forward to a spectacular main prize: the winning team can look forward to a one-week training camp in the sunny south. The Austrian final of the Casino Cup will be shown as part of an entertaining primetime TV show by PULS 4 in autumn of 2022.
Pictures © Casinos Austria / Achim Bieniek