Only with the help of Rapid II could the GAK have been crowned champions ahead of their own supporters in a duel with Amstetten. That didn’t happen, Blau-Weiss Linz won 1-0 in Hütteldorf. But because the Rotjacken also won their game 3-0, the Grazers will have everything in their own hands next week. And Michael Liendl really heated up the fans after his last home game: “I’m 100 percent convinced: We’ll march through and go to the Bundesliga! And then you’ll rock the Bundesliga,” he shouted to the fans.

Commentary: No sign of trembling: GAK is just one win away!

7,373 fans created an atmosphere in the Merkur Arena that is unrivaled in the second division and is also rarely found in the Bundesliga, with the exception of a few clubs. It got loud even before the game: Michael Liendl was officially dismissed in his last home game for GAK and was presented with a picture by sporting director Didi Elsneg. After that, however, the focus was on current events.

From the start, Amstetten proved to be a tough opponent. Although the Lower Austrians are neither in the title race nor in the relegation battle, they didn’t give up and challenged the home side several times at the beginning. GAK then cheered, after a header from Markus Rusek the ball landed in the goal, but the GAK midfielder was ruled offside. Otherwise there weren’t any great chances to score until half-time.

GAK coach Gernot Messner should have found the right words during the break. In the second round, the hosts pressed hard, Liendl first tried from a distance, then Bogdan Viunnyk failed with a header. In the 53rd minute there was no holding back: Lenn Jastremski scored after a remarkable Liendl cross to make it 1-0 for GAK. When Liendl then made it 2-0 himself with a penalty in the 75th minute, everyone in the stadium knew: The Styrians would not let this win be stolen from them. Just as Michael Liendl was doing his lap of honor, it was interrupted by the goal celebrations of the fans: David Peham made it 3-0 in the 92nd minute and thus ensured the final score.

Next Sunday (June 4th) the GAK can secure promotion to the Bundesliga, then Graz will be in action in Dornbirn. The lead over BW Linz: one point.