Friends of the well-kept Viennese Scheiberl game (almost) got their money’s worth yesterday, Saturday, in the Generali Arena. Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig and Vienna Chamber of Commerce President Walter Ruck invited people to their traditional charity football tournament. Four prominent teams from politics, business, culture, sport and media appeared at the home of Vienna Austria. There was no new Matthias Sindelar to be seen, but there was a lot of commitment, enthusiasm and one or two football delicacies from a hidden football talent among the celebrities.
“In any case, everyone was there with full enthusiasm. After all, it’s not just about winning the tournament, but above all about a good cause. It was a great day of football among friends where teamwork – as in our other activities – was the top priority,” says Walter Ruck, President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and captain of the “Economy” team.
“Even though we were opponents on the pitch, we still had a common goal. Together we want to help people who don’t have it so easy in life. And we keep it that way when we work together away from the football field. Our common goal is always the well-being of the people,” says Michael Ludwig, Mayor of the City of Vienna and captain of the “Politics” team.
Victory for the economy
Nevertheless, the rivalry between the “Politics” and “Economy” teams is already legendary. While “politics” won the tournament last year, this year it was “business”’s turn, which won it with two wins and one draw.
The lineups of the individual teams brought together a lot of prominent names. In addition to the captains Michael Ludwig (Team “Politics”), Walter Ruck (“Economy”), Kurt Faist (“Culture and Media”) and Paul Tesarek (“Media”), the following also appeared: the SP club chairmen Denis Sakic and Wolfgang Marktyan , district head Daniel Resch, ex-Bundesliga player Georg Bardel, Thai boxing world champion Fadi Merza, actor Christian Spatzek, star lawyer Gerald Mair, cabaret artist and actor Andreas Ferner, ORF domestic politician Hans Bürger, ORF Vienna editor-in-chief Oliver Ortner, airport board member Julian Jäger, AUVA- Chairman Mario Watz, WKW Vice President Hans Arsenovic, WKW Deputy Director Christoph Biegelmayer, WKÖ trade chairman Rainer Trefelik, Wienerwald Tourism boss Michael Wollinger and PremiQaMed managing director Michael Schneider.
All four teams received loud support from the stands. Among those present: National Council President Dorins Bures, the WKW’s trade and craft division chairwoman and National Council member Maria Neumann, city councilor Karl Mahrer and Flying Pickets frontman Gary Howard.
Support for ME/CFS sufferers
The proceeds from this year’s charity soccer tournament will go to the WE&ME Foundation. The Ströck family foundation, founded in 2020, is dedicated to combating the disease ME/CFS. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is a severe multisystem disease that often occurs secondary to a viral illness. ME/CFS sufferers suffer from severe fatigue, pain, exercise intolerance and sleep disorders. In addition, the immune and hormonal systems can be impaired. WE&ME wants, among other things, to advance basic research and improve training in primary care. Bakery entrepreneur Gerhard Ströck took over the check for 20,000 euros.