Andreas Ivanschitz - His life
The Official Biography of the Austrian Football Team Captain.

10/1983 – 10/1989

Andreas Ivanschitz was born on October 15 1983 in Eisenstadt, Burgenland. Both his mother, Helga, as well as his father, Ewald, work as teachers. His mother works as a secondary school teacher in Schattendorf, and his father as a music teacher at the Haydn Conservatory in Eisenstadt. During his childhood and youth he played in the brass band of his small home village Baumgarten. He also enjoyed several years of piano and oboe lessons. Both his older brothers - Martin, who is already a qualified doctor, and Clemens, who has finished studying music - are talented at playing several instruments.

However the lives of the three Ivanschitz brothers do begin, above all, with “the piece of leather” or “the football” as the English would say. At the age of 4 Andy already liked to kick a ball around his local Karli Meadow, only a stone’s throw away from his parents house. It was a meeting point for the Baumgarten children, where they could train and nurture their talents. Scarcely a day went by without them playing with a ball, be it plastic or leather. So it was only logical that the parents (both of whom were also avid football fans) signed the youngest son up with ASK Baumgarten, the village football team.

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10/1989 – 02/1998

As a 6-year-old, Andreas Ivanschitz followed the calling of the village club ASK Baumgarten. From this moment onwards “little Andy” was irrevocably and eternally infected by the football virus. Up until the age of 14 Andy had many beautiful and carefree years at the club, which trained together with the support of the neighbouring club Schattendorf.
Ivanschitz and his team-mates made it to the U-14 Burgenland finals, losing 2-4 against a team from Lafnitztal. By the end of his early career with ASK Baumgarten, Ivanschitz had already made his way through all the local district and county sides. “I learnt a lot from very good coaches, and at the same time never lost the joy of playing football - that’s what my local club gave me, which I am still very grateful for today”, said Ivanschitz years later, as he left behind his first step on the football league ladder.

The end of the 90s was an especially important time period for the left-footer. As a 13-year-old he was already allowed to train under Hans Schroll, with the team which had fought its way up through three Austrian divisions. Although he still hadn’t played for the adult team, he was nevertheless a regular choice in the U-16 team. He learnt a lot very quickly, playing against not only physically stronger, but also more experienced players. “This experience had a long lasting effect on me, and strengthened my continued development” said Ivanschitz.

His impressive achievements for his club soon caught the attention of football scouts from the biggest and most successful clubs in Austria. Johann Wlasits would soon recommend the natural talent of Ivanschitz to junior coach Manfred Uhlig at Rapid Vienna. He organized a trial at the club which the young Andy had always crossed his fingers for. For the Austrian title holders, Ivanschitz played with none other than Sergei Schawlo, the former Rapid and Russian player, who is known for his expertise, and is currently the manager of Spartak Moscow. Schawlo quickly identified the talent and potential of the 14-year-old, and directed the Burgenländer to the Austrian capital city, Vienna.

So Ivanschitz Junior’s music career ended - and although his father was a little disappointed, he was happy for his son, and supported him wherever he could. A completely new life began. The move to Rapid meant a change in school. Ivanschitz moved from Mattersberg Grammar School to a partner school of his new club: The ORG in Maroltingergasse, in the 16th district of Vienna. He lived there at the boarding school for four years before graduating with very good A-level results.

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02/1998 – 05/2000

Andreas Ivanschitz’s professional football career began in February 1998, in the U-16 team coached by Sergej Schawlo. With players who later on became renowned, such as Stefan Kulovits and Ilco Naumoski (who played professionally for Austria and Macedonia respectively), Ivanschitz and Co. were BNZ Champions in 1999, WFV Champions, and Austrian Cup Winners.

From July 1999, Ivanschitz, who had already been playing in the U-18 team, now followed his role-model and coach Sergei Schawlo into the next age-group. The next rise followed two months later. Ivanschitz turned his back on the amateur team - and missed, by a whisker, promotion from the Vienna City League to the Regional League, under coach Fritz Riedmüller. Still, he could take the pain - he had played under the watchful eye of Ernst Dokupil, the Sport Director at that time, and his successful trainer Heribert Weber - the latter of whom helped the fresh faced 16-year-old make his début in the professional league on 26 October 1999. Rapid took part in the Austrian Football League Cup against county leaguers ATSV Ranshofen, and Ivanschitz made his appearance in the 63rd minute, as a substitute for Jens Dowe, when the score was 1-1. It was a somewhat disappointing début. Even Ivanschitz couldn’t prevent the embarrassment for Rapid, who, after a goalless extra time, lost 4-1 on penalties to an amateur side from the Upper Austrian town of Innviertel.

At least from now on Andreas Ivanschitz was in the Vienna team squad, and trained with world stars such as Dejan Savicevic. A few years later Gastin Taument said, “the only other 16-year-old I have seen, besides Ivanschitz, who was so technically advanced at this age, was Clarence Seedorf”. And team-mates such as Rene Wagner (Czech Republic), Kryzsztof Ratajczyk (Poland), Farhad Majidi (Iran), Peter Schottel, Michael Hatz, Arnold Wetl and Andreas Heraf (all Austrian), all furthered the development of the Burgenländer considerably. On 20 May 2000 it was at last time for Ivanschitz to celebrate his début in the Austrian League: the goal-scoring king Rene Wagner being substituted for Ivanschitz in the last minute of a championship game against Salzburg. This was to be the beginning of a breathtaking career.

The ÖFB (Austrian Football Association) had also noticed the talented left-footer, who had already played six games for the U-17s and 10 international matches for the U-16 National Team.

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05/2000 – 06/2001

The final jump into the professional squad had been made. Ivanschitz got the number 2 shirt, and signed his first professional contract (until 2005) on July 1 2000. Unfortunately, trainer Heribert Weber, Ivanschitz’s long time coach and mentor, had to leave Rapid. Ernst Dokupil, who had taken a part-time position in 1998, was now solely responsible for managing Rapid Vienna. In the autumn of 2000, for most games it was still “stay on the bench” for the 17-year-old Burgenländer. But in spite of this, he took part in his first European game in August 2000. Arnold Wetl was substituted for Ivanschitz when the score was still 0-0. They eventually won 2-0 at home against the Albanian club Tueta Durres.

The next milestone in Ivanschitz’s career was to come when he scored his first ever professional goal, in his last game before the winter break. In his 6th game (and 2nd start), against opponents “Schwarz Weiß Bregenz”, Ivanschitz opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a wonderful goal. In the opening home game of 2001, Ivanschitz was once again on the score-sheet. Altogether, Ivanschitz played 14 full games in his first season - but as in his first game, he didn’t get the chance to play a full 90 minutes, and another goal was beyond him. Then Ivanschitz scored his second goal in a 1-2 home defeat against Admira Wacker. Rapid were once again runners-up that season, and got to the quarter finals of the Austrian Football League Cup.

Also in August 2000, Ivanschitz was involved with the national team. In a 4-1 defeat, with the U-17s, he scored a special goal. This was followed by four games in the U-18 line-up against Germany, Bosnia Herzegovina, Russia (1 goal) and Azerbaijan. On April 24 2001 he celebrated his U-21 team début, in a 1-1 draw in an EU qualifier against France in Ried. So in only one season, he had advanced his way through the U-17 and U-19 teams, to the U-21 Austrian team.

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07/2001 – 06/2003

By his 19th birthday, on October 15 2002, Ivanschitz had played a further nine U-21 games - although he only managed to score one more time. In the European Championship Qualifying stages he achieved this with a golden goal, in a 1-0 victory against Moldova.

Still, his ambition had grown in the new season, after winning the runner’s up spot with Rapid the previous season. Under Ernst Dokupil, Ivanschitz only played as a substitute, and during this time he had to survive a real crisis at the traditional Viennese club Rapid. Bad defeats came against newly promoted Kärnten (3-0 away) and against GAK (0-4 home). The most embarrassing defeat, however, was against San Marino (1-0 away), leading to angry protests by fans. After another defeat in the Vienna derby, Dokupil had to step down from his managerial post on 13 August 2001.

At the beginning of September 2001, Lothar Matthäus committed himself to be the new manager of the club. It was under the German legend’s hand that Ivanschitz was finally chosen to play his first full 90 minute game. On September 16, he levelled the scoring in an away game against Sturm Graz - the game ending 1-1. This was to be Ivanschitz’s only goal under Lothar Matthäus. Rapid finished the season in 8th place, the lowest position in the
club’s over-100-year history. It was the 5-1 home win against Partizan Belgrade that was the season highlight, a game in which Ivanschitz didn’t play. Matthäus had to go, and he was replaced by Josef Hickersberger in June 2002.

The 55-year-old former (and future) ÖFB Team manager gave Ivanschitz his complete trust from the very beginning. He picked the Burgenländer in all 36 games in the 2002/3 season. He always wore the number 8 shirt, and soon built up a big fan base. At the very beginning he was still side-lined on the substitutes bench, because the two mid-fielders Andreas Herzog and Thomas Sobotzik were routine selections in the starting line up. Still, Ivanschitz came on as a substitute (like in his league début game under Rene Wagner) and managed to score 2 goals in 7 minutes against Sturm Graz. The final result was 4-0, and everyone in Hütteldorf was already dreaming of winning the title.

Until September 30, Ivanschitz had to be content with brief substitutions - most were 20-30 minutes long – but his strong competition was still making it’s mark – and finally it was enough, and he became a regular player in the starting line up. Together with Austria’s most capped player, Andreas Herzog, and the later Rapid captain, Steffen Hofmann, Ivanschitz was needed as the creative player in the green-white’s game. In March 2003, Ivanschitz was given the chance to play in his first game for Austria, under Hans Krankl. With the score 2-2 against Greece in Graz, Ivanschitz came on for Markus Weissenberger at half time. Rapid finished the season in fourth place, and once again Ivanschitz and his green and white colleagues had failed to qualify for the European competitions.

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07/2003 – 06/2004

For the first time in his career, Ivanschitz started the new season with the same trainer as the previous season - and it was a dream start. Rapid impressed with offensive football, and played impressive football throughout the autumn. The main reason for this was, in particular, the new captain Steffen Hofmann, the strong striker, Rene Wagner – and: Andreas Ivanschitz. He shone, as both an provider and goal scorer (six goals in the autumn season!) and brought himself more and more into the spotlight. On October 11 2003, he rewrote the history books. The not yet 20-year-old Ivanschitz was given the Austrian captain’s armband, from Thomas Flögel, against the Czech Republic. In addition, he scored an unforgettable goal to make it 2-1 in the 78th minute. Although the national team finally lost 2-3, by a late away goal, the hype surrounding the “youngest team captain of all time” continued. Andreas Ivanschitz’s feet, however, remained firmly on the ground. The spring of 2004 did not live up to everyone’s hopes. In January 2004 he had to do his military service. He was also injured during an ÖFB cup game in Arnfels at the beginning of April, and couldn't play any further part in the 2003/2004 season. Rapid fell from the top of the table in winter, back to fourth place by the end of the season. This was enough, however, to earn them a qualifying place in the UEFA Cup the following season.

This time period brought with it three great honours for Ivanschitz. In the Austrian Press Agency's traditional vote, among trainers and managers from the clubs, Andreas Ivanschitz was voted “Austrian Footballer of the Year 2003”. On his club homepage he was voted “Rapidler of the year 2003”. And besides this, he was also voted “Burgendland’s Sportsman of the Year 2003!”

In January 2004 he could also celebrate a title with his club. It was in Vienna, in the renowned “Stadthalle” Tournament, which had begun in 1959. After an enthralling final against arch local rivals Austria Wien, it went to the Green and Whites, Ivanschitz scoring the winning goal in extra time. One year later they reached 2nd place, and Ivanschitz was voted “Best Player” of the tournament.

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07/2004 – 12/2005

On July 14 began what was, up to this point, the best season of Ivanschitz’s career. The first game of the season was a 5-1 thrashing of “Schwarz-Weiß Bregenz”. In the 8th minute, Ivanschitz unleashed what, to be honest, was an unstoppable free-kick into the back of the net. In the 62nd minute he scored his second goal, and with it his second double in the Austrian Football League, and made the score 4-1. One week later, his team convincingly won their first home game in the Hanappi Stadium:4-1 against Wacker Innsbruck. The 20-year-old midfielder was again on the score sheet, and sent the visitors packing back to Tirol.

The European adventure began in August, and with the Russian Rubin Kazan on board, the Green & Whites faced a difficult opponent. After a 0-2 home defeat, nobody batted an eyelid on the record holders. Surprisingly, on 26 August 2004, thanks to two goals from Steffen Hofmann and a goal from Marek Kincl, they won 3-0 away. This game is often quoted as “Wonder of Kazan”. One month later, the adventure was over. Rapid lost 2-0 against Sporting Lisbon in the European Championship Jose-Avalade Stadium. Despite having some good chances, there were no away goals. For Ivanschitz, the pain at the end was double, because of an injury sustained after a brutal foul from the Brazilian Polga, who was sent off for the reckless challenge. In the home game, at the sold out Hanappi Stadium, he was back. In spite of the fans’ support, the team could only manage a goalless draw, and in the process all their UEFA Cup dreams were once more just a pipe dreams. Things were better in the league. Ivanschitz & Co. only lost two games before the end of the year and went into the winter break top of the table, one point ahead of Austria Wien. The team had a great sense of togetherness, and wanted to remain in this position after the 36th game, and this was their main objective that season.

It was a shaky start to the spring season, because of a hard winter and lack of under soil heating at the Hüttledorf Stadium. Several home games had to be postponed - which turned out to be an advantage in the long run. Rapid began the season in the middle of March, and straight away lost to arch rivals Austria 1-0. Josef Hickersberger’s team then had a wonderful run, winning nine out of ten games between 6 April and 14 May. They were probably the most emotional weeks in Ivanschitz’s career, with his team winning almost everything. Within three days they had two resounding victories, in the first beating Salzburg 5-0, and then thoroughly outclassing Admira 6-0. On the 11th May was the “return game” against Admira in the south stadium. It was 0-0 at the end of normal time and everyone had goose pimples, before Ferdl Feldhofer scored a golden goal, with his shoulder, from an Ivanschitz free-kick. The following moments remain unforgettable, the emotion was high – all the players and fans mobbed Josef Hickersberger – the ecstatic Rapid fans stormed onto the pitch, and one had the feeling that they were at a championship celebration. The season still had not ended however. Three days later Bregenz were guests in the sold out Hanappi Stadium, and once again Rapid celebrated a jubilant 4-1 victory! Unfortunately, with a downside: Markus Katzer suffered from a torn cruciate ligament.

The following day, the team met behind closed doors, in a local pub in Meidling, to watch Pasching against Austria. It finished as it needed to, Austria lost and Rapid Vienna were the 2004/2005 Champions, four games before the end of the season. On this day, long Champions’ celebrations began, bringing together all the players, organizers and fans for unforgettable moments. Unfortunately a few players were injured in the remaining games, and so the season finished with four defeats. This included the ÖFB Cup Final in front of over 30,000 fans in the Happel Stadium. The Championship Trophy shone above everything else - and the next objective was already in sight - qualification for the Champions League!
This they succeeded in doing in August 2005! The Viennese, to every expert’s surprise, won 1-0 away against Locomotiv Moscow after having drawn 1-1 at home, the golden goal coming from Jozef Valachovic! Once again there were unforgettable moments as “The Heroes From Moscow” were greeted by thousands of fans at Vienna airport. This brought together the amazing group – Bayern Munich, Juventus Turin, Club Brügge and Rapid Vienna. Unfortunately the six games didn’t go according to plan. Even though Rapid performed well against Bayern Munich, winning a penalty, they still lost, in a completely sold out Happel Stadium. They also took the lead against Brügge, after a few seconds, but went on to lose the game - and the Green & Whites remained without a point after all six games. In spite of the immensely important experience, the fairy tale had turned sour. They also delivered below-average performances in the league.

Josef Hickersberger was contracted to remain Team Manager until January 1 2006, and team morale was not what it had been a few months before. Captain Steffen Hofmann was about to transfer to Germany and Andreas Ivanschitz was also thinking about leaving his favourite club. In December, the 22-year- old Burgenländer received a very good offer from Red Bull Salzburg, and after a short period of thought, he decided to move to the city of Mozart. This wasn’t an easy decision, his heart still remained very much with Rapid. It was the club with which he had become famous, and for whom as a boy he had always supported. However, Ivanschitz was convinced, both from a sporting and financial perspective, that he had made the right decision.

By this time Ivanschitz had already long since established himself as both captain and player for the national team. Without doubt one of the highlights has to be the battling home game against England in autumn 2004. During the game the Red-White-Red eleven struggled to get any luck, but after going 2-0 down they still managed to turn the game around, drawing 2-2. Ivanschitz also added another goal to his account. In spite of this, the team, managed by Hans Krankl, missed qualification for the World Cup Finals in Germany by some margin. Winning 2-0 at home against Northern Ireland was little consolation, and under the Herzog/Ruttensteiner training pair, their chances were finished.

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01/2006 – 08/2006

At the beginning of January, came the much discussed transfer of Ivanschitz. From then onwards he played for Red Bull Salzburg. Under trainer Kurt Jara, he always wore the number 10 shirt. In Ivanschitz’s second game, a 5-2 thrashing of Wacker Innsbruck, Ivanschitz scored what was to remain his only championship goal for the Red Bulls. A second championship title, one of Ivanschitz’s career objectives, was also out of reach. Despite having players such as former Bayern Munich striker Alexander Zickler, they finished the season 6 points behind Austria Wien in second place. Even worse was the finishing position of Ivanschitz’s former club, Rapid Wien. They had to make do with 5th place after the departure of both Steffen Hofmann and Ivanschitz.

At the end of the season Red Bull Salzburg surprisingly changed their manager. Kurt Jara was sent packing, and the prominent duo of Italian star coach Giovanni Trapattoni and Germany’s most capped player Lothar Matthäus took over. The latter under whom Ivanschitz had already played at Rapid Wien. It was to be the “Master” from Italy who was to call the shots. He made it clear to Ivanschitz that he would probably spend more time on the substitutes bench than on the pitch. For the ambitious Burgenländer, this was the cue that it was time to move on again. The captain of the Austrian National team didn't have to wait long for an offer.

Meanwhile in the national team, Josef Hickersberger (Ivanschitz’s mentor) took over as coach on January 1 2006. Despite this change, the results of the first two games were appalling. In March, in a half empty Happel Stadium, a 0-2 embarrassment against Canada was followed by a 1-4 defeat against World Cup qualifiers Croatia. A small consolation for Ivanschitz was a goal against Zlatko Kranjcar´s team. This was his first international goal for Austria under Hickersberger, and his third goal for the Red-White-Reds!

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08/2006- 06/2008

In mid August Andreas Ivanschitz then had his new club. Red Bull Salzburg loaned the 23 year old to the traditional Greek club Panathinaikos Athens and this move was meant to be the right move in contrast to the move from Vienna to Salzburg. However before he was to even play his first match for the Green-Whites, Ivanschitz had his first international as a player playing abroad and the third international in the World Cup year 2006. This time the home venue was Graz and as the opponents were Hungary there was a certain amount of confidence that Austria could secure a victory. But yet again this did not happen and they lost the game 1:2 and now it was time for Ivanschitz to start his Greek adventure.

Here the Greek press labelled him the ‘Green Mozart’ before he even started his first game. He was given the number 27 and he immediately made a big impact and the headlines through his performances. In his first season he made 40 appearances for ‘PAO’ and he made a real name for himself straight away in the Greek Super-League by scoring some spectacular gaols and setting up many goals with his assists. The nicest compliment came from arch rival Olympiacos Piraeus. Back in the 70’s the assistant coach of the Austrian national team Peter Persidis had a very successful playing career there. When he first saw Ivanschitz play in Athens and then met many ex-team mates and current directors of the Hellenic record champions, he was questioned time and time again: ‘Why didn’t you get Ivanschitz to play for us!’

In this season Ivanschitz was twice voted as the ‘player of the day’, as the best player of that match-day in the Greek Super League. On one occasion he scored ‘the goal of the day’ and at the end of the season he was voted into the ‘ALL STAR TEAM 2007’. As nice as the time in Athens was, that ended in spring with a third place finish in the league and a Cup Final appearance (1:2 defeat against Larissa), it was just as difficult in the national team up to October 2006. Ivanschitz also did not manage to secure victory in the 4th and 5th internationals of the year. They drew 2:2 against Costa Rica in Switzerland and then suffered an embarrassing defeat 0:1 against Venezuela. Then in October the team nearly suffered the most humiliating defeat in the principality of Liechtenstein. After the hosts held a 1:0 lead for a long time, Josef Hickersberger’s team did manage to scrape through to a 2:1 victory.

Just a few days later everything for the team turned around and all looked bright! Austria beat Switzerland 2:1 in the sold out Tivoli stadium in Innsbruck after a brilliant performance. This was the first time since 1996 that Austria managed to beat an opponent, who at the time were ranked within the top 15 teams of the world in the FIFA world ranking list. And finally there was a convincing 4:1 victory in Vienna against Trinidad/Tobago, who had qualified for the World Cup. So things also seemed to be looking up for the national team.
But things didn’t turn out s they seemed they would, because in 2007 Andreas Ivanschitz and Co had to wait until the 11th international of the year to secure victory again. In May they managed a meagre 1:1 against Malta away, where Ivanschitz scored the equaliser through a free kick. In March they played a good game in Graz against Ghana, who had just qualified for the World Cup. The final result was 1:1 (the opponents only equalised just before the final whistle) Ivanschitz had laid on Rene Aufhausser’s goal to give Austria the lead). Only a few days later Austria performed quite well in the Stade-de-France in front of 65 000 spectators against France, where the hosts secured a tight 1:0 victory.
Andi Ivanschitz then had a real personal highlight, when his son Ilia was born on the 7.April in Amarousio – the name comes from Greek and originally stems from ‚Ilios‘ (the sun).

At the end of May/beginning of June there was a double bill in the Hanappi stadium in Vienna, but unfortunately this made negative headlines: first of all Austria lost 1:0 against Scotland, just a few days later they managed a remarkable 0:0 against Paraguay, who had just qualified for the World Cup, even though they gave a weak performance.

Then on the 9th June Andreas had more reason to be happy: he married his girlfriend Anja at the local registry office in Eisenstadt with close family members present.

In the summer of 2007 he was out through injury for several weeks and thus missed the internationals against the Czech Republic (1:1), Japan (0:0/4:3 in penalty shoot-out, because this was a mini tournament) and Chile (0:2). The captain was back in the team for the second and last away international. In Zurich the co-hosts for the EURO Switzerland got their revenge for the defeat 12 months earlier (3:1 for the neighbours) and just a few days later super star Didier Drogba and his Ivory Coast team mates were the guests in Innsbruck. Ivanschitz and Co gave the best international performance of the year in front of nearly 30 000 fans in the sold out Tivoli stadium and they deserved their 3:2 victory over the runners up in the African Nations Championship of 2006. Ivanschitz scored a penalty to make it 2:1 and was brilliant in setting up Joachim Standfest to put Austria 3:1 in the lead. In November 2007 there was not much cause for celebration on two occasions, because in the last two internationals they lost to England (0:1 in front of 45 000 fans) and drew against Tunisia (0:0 in front of only 14 200 fans), so Austria didn’t even manage to get on the score sheet.

At club level things were going very well for Ivanschitz, even though he had been out through injury. He managed to make 11 appearances up to the end of the year and he scored two goals. He made 4 appearances in the UEFA Cup, whereby he set up all three Panathinaikos goals in their 3:0 home victory over Aberdeen.

In the new Championship season Ivanschitz and his club managed to climb to third place in the year of the EURO, whereby two goals by Ivanschitz played a crucial role in the national play-offs for a Champions League spot against AEK Athens and PAO managed to qualify for the Champions League for season 2008/2009 yet again.

For the national team everything in the first half of 2008 was about UEFA EURO 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. The international friendlies in preparation for the EURO in February and March ’08 did mean two defeats against Germany and Holland. However the team suddenly surprised everyone by playing some very attractive football. Austria was even trailing Holland by 3:0 for a short spell, but Ivanschitz scored one goal himself and set up Sebastian Prödl for the other two goals. Ivanschitz also lead out the national side as the captain for the next two international friendly matches before the European Championships on home territory. They drew Nigeria 1:1 in Graz and just a few days before the start of the event of the century, the EURO, Austria convincingly beat Malta 5:1.
Finally on the 8th June 2008 the big adventure of hosting a European Championship was ready to kick off for the Austrian national team under manager Josef Hickersberger. The opponent in the completely sold out Ernst-Happel stadium was Croatia, and as it would be for all three games in this EURO, Andreas Ivanschitz had the honour of leading out his team as the captain. However the game started badly and the guests took the lead through a penalty after just a few minutes. They would not give up this lead, even though Austria fought back very hard and had numerous chances on goal. The team in red-white-red managed to create even more chances in their second group stage match against Poland, however a clear offside goal by Roger meant the Polish fans were celebrating after half an hour. At least the home side managed to secure one point through a penalty by veteran striker Ivica Vastic in time added on, after Sebastian Prödl had been fouled.

On the 16th June was the big show down against Germany and unfortunately this meant Austria, the EURO co-hosts got knocked out of the competition early on. A free kick rocket by Michael Ballack ruined any hope there would be of a quarter final place and ended all the dreams of the Austrian football family at an early stage of the competition. However, the red-white-red team was still greeted with lots of applause when they left the pitch. Spain, the best team of the tournament won the European Championship a few days later! Even though the Austrian manager Josef Hickersberger stated in a press conference 14 hours after Austria had been knocked out that he would remain as manager of the red-white-red team, Austria didn’t really have a team boss for the final phase of the competition, because unfortunately Hickersberger changed his mind.

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from 07/2008

The legendary Czech manager Karel Bruckner and the ex-Slovakian national manager Jan Kocian and Austria’s record international Andreas Herzog then took over the national team. At first the upwards trend seemed to follow suit. Austria drew the current World Champions Italy 2:2 in a international friendly in Nice and barely three weeks later the team around Andreas Ivanschitz managed the biggest positive surprise for a long time: they beat the current World Cup runners-up 3:1 at home in the sold out Ernst-Happel stadium. This was a perfect start to the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification round. Andreas Ivanschitz was also one of the match winners by setting up the goal to make it 1:0 and by scoring the penalty to make it 3:1 that sealed the victory. This was the seventh goal for his country for Ivanschitz and so far also the last goal for his country.

What followed was a real down turn for the national team. They did not manage to secure not even one more victory under Karel Bruckner’s reign. Furthermore, Austria had to suffer some very painful defeats away to Lithuania, as well as home defeats against Serbia and just before the New Year in 2008/2009 in a friendly against Turkey. Even a 1:1 draw away to the Faroe Islands didn’t exactly put Austria back into the history books of Austrian football. The last international under the Bruckner/Kocian/Herzog management era was then set up for the 11th February, 2009. Austria lost this international friendly in Graz 0:2 against Sweden. This match, where Andreas Ivanschitz was substituted in the 76th minute and had to endure the dissatisfied boos and chants of the 11 000 fans even though he gave a good performance, was to be the last international (and his 49th cap) for the Burgenlaender for a long while.
Exactly two years after their registry office wedding, Anja and Andreas then celebrated their church wedding – on the beach of Anavyssos in a touching ceremony with family and good friends around them.

At club level Ivanschitz then had the opportunity to play at the highest level again in season 2008/2009 and played 4 of the Champions League group phase matches. In the league they ‘only’ managed to secure third place behind record champions Olympiacos Piraeus and PAOK Saloniki. Ivanschitz managed to get in 17 appearances. He then played his last game for the green-whites from the Greek capital in the Super League play-offs on the 10th May, 2009 in a 2:1 away victory over PAOK.

In July 2009 was the next and so far the last club transfer in the career of Andreas Ivanschitz. The German Bundesliga club FSV Mainz secured the services of the 49 cap Austrian international and the still only 25 year old made an absolutely amazing impact with the likeable promoted club. Ivanschitz managed to score 6 goals in his first 11 appearances (against Bayern München, Hertha BSC, Bochum, Hoffenheim, Freiburg and Wolfsburg) and he also set up many goals (against Leverkusen, Hannover, Hertha BSC, Bochum, Freiburg and Wolfsburg). The German – and also the Austrian – media went crazy praising him to the skies, Ivanschitz himself kept both feet on the ground.

Of course it is a great disappointment that the Austrian manager Dietmar Constantini has not called up the ambitious sportsman and patriotic Austrian and former captain since March 2009. For those who know Andreas Ivanschitz, they know that he will do his best to play well and fight his way back into the red-white-red team jersey, by putting in excellent performances for FSV Mainz in season 2010/2011.

Just before the season started back, there was another beautiful addition to the family. Their daughter Nahla (from Arabic) was born on the 17th May in Eisenstadt.

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Sports and Sociales

As a prominent sportsman, I would like to use my high profile to help people who are in need. Children are especially in need of help and protection. That’s why I was especially honoured to take up the offer from the SOS-Children’s Village, of becoming the first Austrian Footballer to be made FIFA-4-SOS Ambassador.

I am very proud to act together with stars such as Cannavaro, Shevchenko and many others, as a voice in the world of football for this Austrian Children’s organisation.

In addition to my engagement, I have decided to adopt the SOS-Children’s Village of Seekirchen. If you would like to know more about how you can provide a better future for the children for less than €1 a day, here is the link:
SOS-Kinderdorf!

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