Player Protection: 
Six football clubs from Vienna competed against each other in the first Casino Cup preliminary round at the Casino Vienna on Tuesday, June 28: DSG Neulandschule SG77 (2nd Class A), DSG Olympique Klosterneuburg (Upper League), DSG Roter Stern (1st Class D), FC 03 Wien (2nd Class A), KSC/FCB Donaustadt (Upper League B) and SV Hirschstetten (Upper League B).
After a joint reception and welcome ceremony at the Captain's Meeting, it was time for action: the Casino Cup preliminary round consisted of one round of roulette, one round of black jack and one round of poker. What was at stake was not money, but tournament chips; it was all about the entertainment and the fun factor.
"My team and I are delighted that the preliminary rounds have commenced at Casino Vienna and that we can offer both the football teams and their fans a unique evening," said Reinhard Deiring, Casino Vienna's Director, because just like in a football match, the fans will also play an important role in the Casino Cup: fans of participating teams who had checked in at the casino were able to support their club with a free “Supporter Bonus” ticket (available independently of the purchase of welcome chips). The collected tickets were then credited to the teams as additional tournament points.
The fans as well as the participants were highly enthusiastic, and during breaks they showed off their football skills live at the Casino Vienna – there was dribbling, there were headers, and now and again goals were scored. At the final poker tournament, three participants were still in the game: FC 03 Wien, DSG Neulandschule SG77 and SV Hirschstetten. In the end, SV Hirschstetten came out on top. Accompanied by thunderous applause from his fans and team mates, Daniel Ritter was able to accept the Casino Cup preliminary round trophy, bringing him one step closer to the Austrian final: he is now confirmed to play in the national final round in September. DSG Neulandschule SG77 came in second place, and FC 03 Wien came in third.
Take note, football clubs: there are still dates available for anyone who'd like to take part in the Casino Cup. Clubs can register at any time. Whoever prevails at the Austrian final in autumn can look forward to a spectacular main prize: the winning team gets to take part in a one-week training camp in the sunny south. The Austrian final of the Casino Cup will be shown as part of an entertaining primetime TV show by PULS 4 in autumn of 2022.