Priest scores victory and saves penalty in Austrian match
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Hans Wurzer, a 64-year-old priest from Opponitz, Austria, stepped in as goalkeeper for the second team of SV Opponitz and saved a penalty during a recent match.
Wurzer, who also serves as a priest in St. Georgen/Reith and Hollenstein, previously captained the Austrian Priests’ Football National Team and continues to practice with the club. He helped his team win 3-2 against Strengberg while filling in for the regular reserve goalkeeper. Wurzer’s commitment to football extends beyond the playing field.
He recently participated in a penalty shootout after a church service. The Austrian Priests’ Football National Team also played a charity match in Olbendorf, Burgenland, against a team from Slovenia, losing 2-3. Zdravko Gasparic, a priest and player on the national team, organised the charity match to raise funds for Ukrainian children. The team sold Ukrainian football jerseys and used the proceeds to purchase an all-terrain vehicle.
Bishop Ägidius Zsifkovics blessed the vehicle, which Gasparic and helpers delivered to support a school and provide food to elderly people in remote areas of Ukraine. Gasparic also delivered football equipment and food to Ukrainian children at the start of the school year, viewing the team’s loss as a victory for the children they supported.
