Red Bull Salzburg v Derby County
Pre-Season Friendly
SAK Arena Nonntal
Salzburg, Austria
18 Jul 25
After the last minute equaliser against Matlock Town the Rams packed their bags and headed off to Salzburg for pre-season. This culminated in a fixture against Red Bull Salzburg at the home of Austria's oldest club side, SAK 1914. After a last minute change of plans I decided to accompany Colin Ware and Ian Knight on a European tour to Salzburgerland
The DCFC website announced that away fans would be welcome and that we had to register on a guest list but on arrival there were no checks, just pay on the day
Official Team Sheet acquired from the press area
'28 Black Arena - Nonntal' is also known as
'Sportzentrum Mitte (Nonntal)'
The stadium has one main stand with a great bars in the lower and upper stands. Most of the Derby fans were located opposite on open terracing
Red Bull Salzburg 1 Derby County 2
Attendance: 2,500
Day 1: Our 1205 Ryanair flight from Stansted
lands promptly,1500 local time
Colin Ware DCFC legend
The Riverside Hotel in Salzburg just a short 800m
walk down the river to the Old Town
First beer stop is the Sternbrau
The Sternbrau is one of Austria's largest and oldest breweries. Many famous folk have been coming here since 1542, including Mozart, Merkel, Hasselhof and Hopkins
The Beer Garden is massive and boast 670 outdoor seats
Getreidegasse - the birthplace of Mozart
to Salzburg Cathedral
Schnitzel and 'Kaiser Karl' beers at Zwettler's Wirsthaus
Mozartplatz at dusk
Day 2: Castle and Matchday
Morning walk along the river Salzach and
breath taking view of Hohensalzburg
Searching for a spot for breakfast in the Domplatz
Heading up the funicular to the castle
DCFC in Austria
Looking down on the Altstadt
The walls are quite imposing
Ian has his moment of glory after defeating me in a medieval game of 'hoop the pole'
The view of the 'Untersberg', a Salzburg mountain which rises to 1972m and has a cable car between Grodig/St Leonhard to the Geiereck station.
On top of the Prison Tower
The Austrian flag is one of the oldest in use today and is believed to have been adopted in 1230
On the viewing platform with my back to the Altstadt
After the panorama tour we head to
the castle keep and the museums
Within the Golden Chamber is this
amazing stove with hand painted tiles
The viewing platform of the Prison Tower
A well earned break at the Panorama Restaurant
at the Salzburg Fortress
Amazing views in ridiculous heat🌞
Early ticket collection proved worthwhile as we were
issued match posters on a 'first come, first served basis'
Arena Nonntal SAK 1914
Sportzentrum Mitte
Once inside we made our way to the upper level bar
DCFC flags all draped over the fencing
in the shadow of the mighty fortress
Press and Media area
The Main Stand
A stunning setting
Behind the goal is good for us
Me, Colin, Ian and Pete - DCFC London Supports Branch
The Main Stand taking centre stage with
Gaisberg (1288m) in the background
A photo opportunity with Miss Red Bull Salzburg
Salzburg keeper Alexander Schalger organising
his team with the Rams 1:0 up
Half Time warm up drill
The 2nd Half is just about to get under way
Main Stand and the Gaisberg
The Rams edge it 2:1, with goals from
Coray Blackett-Taylor and Kaydon Jackson
Warming down
Jake Rooney, Tommo and team on the warm down drill
Random selfie 😂
John Eustace meets Big Steve
Player of the season 24/25 - Ebou Adams
Me and JE
Big Ian in nets after being chipped by a 5 year old
Sunset in Salzburg and time to say "Auf Weidersehen"
