ASK Ternitz (2nd class Wechsel), Nondorf SCU Koller (2nd class Steinfeld) and FC Hörmann Heidenreichstein (1st class Waldviertel) all competed. The Casino Cup isn't about goalies or penalty kicks, however, but about skill and luck at the roulette, blackjack and poker tables. The Captain's Meeting was the first opportunity for the teams to get to know each other and check each other out.
And then the ref's whistle – time to hit the roulette table! While the teams were still a little hesitant during the initial rounds, they all gradually got into it and placed their chips at a steady clip. Thoroughly warmed up and in the best of spirits, they moved on to the black jack tables to see who could get closest to 21. Tactical intelligence was also required.
To make the half-time break go by faster, the best players competed in the "Gaberl Contest" for a bottle of champagne. The clear winner: Nondorf SCU Koller.
The most points for the exciting final round at the poker table also went to the highly confident Team Nondorf: "I always win – get used to it!" the team captain said, confident of their victory. Fully committed and with a cool poker face, they turned this promise into reality, and in the end Nondorf SCU Koller left the pitch beaming with joy.
For any teams who may still want to compete in the Casino Cup: There are still dates available for Lower Austria and Burgenland at Casino Baden. 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 gets to take part in 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.