"Spark Interest": Salzburg Sees Rapid as a Gain for the League

"It's really cool that Rapid is now also playing in the Women's Bundesliga!"

This was stated by Katja Wienerroither, captain of the Red Bull Salzburg women's team, shortly before the Viennese club's premiere.

Against First Vienna, the Hütteldorf side will play their first match in Austria's top women's league (Sunday, 3:00 PM CEST in the LIVE stream >>>).

Salzburg has been participating for a year already and finished last season in fourth place, also reaching the final of the ÖFB Cup. There, they had to concede defeat to Austria Wien.

In the upcoming season, the Salzburg side will have more trips to the federal capital. With Rapid, Austria Wien, and First Vienna, three Viennese teams are represented in the Bundesliga.

Attractive Duels Generate Attention

The promotion of the Green-Whites and thus another attractive name in the Bundesliga is enormously important for women's football in this country, says Bernd Winkler, the sporting director of the women's football department at Red Bull Salzburg, to LAOLA1.

For both fans and the players themselves, it is special to play against big clubs. The former professional footballer already mentions a highlight of the season: "Austria Wien against Rapid, a Viennese derby in women's football, is naturally interesting."

The first encounter in this league will take place on October 3rd or 4th in the Generali-Arena. Such duels would generally generate attention, including from sponsors and partners. "Such clubs simply spark interest," he emphasizes.

Positive Development - Professionalization with Room for Improvement

Wienerroither also agrees: "To promote women's football, it's cool when well-known opponents are involved. That's why it's also attractive for spectators when Rapid plays in the top league."

She generally sees the development positively, yet everything takes time, and one should not expect everything to happen overnight, says the 14-cap senior national team player.

One area with further development potential is the professionalization of women's football. Many individuals involved are currently still engaged in it as a side job, but the development is moving in the right direction. "I believe we will see further progress in the coming years."

The development of the Red Bull Salzburg women's team, in particular, has been positive in the past year, the 24-year-old concludes.

"Big Clubs Increase Interest"

Winkler also points to the challenges but emphasizes the opportunities that the promotion of big clubs like Rapid to the Bundesliga brings.

"It requires strong partners and sponsors. At the same time, big clubs joining increase interest and open up new possibilities. Women's football should also develop step by step in this area," he analyzes.

Thus, it is clear in Salzburg: not only the club, but the entire league and Austrian women's football can benefit from the promotion of the Green-Whites' women.

Starting this season: The Women's Bundesliga live on LAOLA1 >>>