4/2/2025

Dream of the Final Shattered in Penalty Shootout

The dream of the final was within reach, but in the end, the penalty shootout dashed LASK's hopes. Wolfsberger AC prevailed 4-2 in the decisive shootout and advanced to the final of the UNIQA ÖFB Cup in Klagenfurt. After 120 minutes, the semifinal in front of 12,900 spectators at the Raiffeisen Arena ended in a 1-1 draw, with goals from Maximilian Entrup (5') and Chibuike Nwaiwu (83').

LASK got off to a dream start in the semifinal. After a quick transition play, both Florian Flecker and his opponent Nicolas Wimmer went down simultaneously, allowing Maximilian Entrup to capitalize. The Linz striker took his shot with his first touch, placing the ball perfectly and unstoppably past WAC goalkeeper Nikolas Polster into the far corner - 1-0 after just five minutes, marking the Austrian’s first cup goal for the Athletiker.

This transition situation reflected the overall character of the match. LASK initially focused on keeping their opponents away from dangerous areas while looking to quickly involve attacking players Christoph Lang, Entrup, and Flecker - who started for the first time this spring - after winning possession. However, due to imprecise execution, further chances remained scarce. The same applied to the opposition, meaning the teams headed into the break with a narrow 1-0 scoreline.

Late Equalizer, Decision in Penalty Shootout

After the break, the game followed a similar pattern: WAC dominated possession, while LASK waited for counterattacking opportunities. The Carinthians created more danger early on, with Thierno Ballo finding space in front of Tobias Lawal but only managing to hit the side netting. In the 68th minute, substitute Markus Pink tested the nerves of LASK fans when he fired from close range but sent the ball over the crossbar. At the other end, Flecker missed the target after a quick attack down the left.

Shortly before, head coach Markus Schopp had introduced Robert Zulj and Samuel Adeniran. The American striker, in particular, used his speed and physicality to create promising attacking moves, but none resulted in a goal. A late set-piece brought WAC back into the game: following a free-kick cross from the right half-space, Chibuike Nwaiwu rose unchallenged to head the ball off the inside post and over the line. Andres Andrade also struck the woodwork in stoppage time, but without the desired celebration. Moments earlier, Zulj had narrowly missed the target with a header.

Extra time was filled with tension and drama, but neither team could find the decisive goal. In the penalty shootout, Branko Jovicic initially put LASK ahead, but misses from Philipp Ziereis (hitting the post) and Samuel Adeniran (saved) proved costly. Thierno Ballo stepped up and converted the final penalty, sending Wolfsberger AC into the cup final.

LASK – Wolfsberger AC 2:4 p.s. (1:1, 1:1, 1:0)
Raiffeisen Arena, 12.900, Referee Markus Hameter
Goals: 1:0 Entrup (5.), 1:1 Nwaiwu (83.)
Penalties: 1:0 Jovicic, 1:1 Omic, Ziereis post, 1:2 Schöpf, 2:2 Danek, 2:3 Kojzek, Adeniran saved, 2:4 Ballo
Yellow Cards: Coach Schopp, Entrup; Jasic, Zukic, Baumgartner
Yellow-Red Card: Entrup (95./on the bench)

Line-up LASK: Lawal (K) – Jovicic, Ziereis, Andrade (103. Cisse), Bello – Horvath (90. Coulibaly), Ljubic – Lang (65. Zulj), Danek – Entrup (65. Adeniran), Flecker (80. Mustapha)

„

Going out like this is, of course, very bitter. We had a perfect start and then put in a passionate effort to control the opponent. We managed to do that for almost the entire game. WAC had more possession, but we defended very solidly—except for one set-piece. In a penalty shootout, you always need a bit of luck, and today, it just wasn’t on our side.

Markus Schopp, Cheftrainer