WSG Swarovski Tirol

Tirol defied all the odds in what was memorable season for the side with smallest budget and smallest squad in the top flight. The Greens played extremely attractive and open football all campaign, with even mid-season departure of their star striker Yeboah not slowing down the attack on way to what was first ever top 6 finish in the club’s history. Tirol never looked in trouble as they kept scoring lots of goals all campaign, with the main providers early in the season Dedic and Yeboah. Then when the latter left in the winter Frederiksen moved to play in advanced attacking role and he was the most effective forward in the entire league come play-off time! Tirol won 7 of their opening 14 games to make sure they won’t be anywhere near the bottom teams. In the end 4-game unbeaten end to the regular season (W1 D3) proved just about enough to secure top 6 finish and Play-off I spot. Playing with total freedom in the play-offs Tirol became the only team to beat Salzburg in the post season and despite conceding 2 goals or more in 8 of the 10 play-off games they also scored 2 or more in 7 and certainly entertained everyone with their open, aggressive football. The future looks bright for Tirol and they are expected to continue playing modern attacking football next season. Coach Silberberger, set to be in charge of Tirol for eighth consecutive season, desperate to try and extend Frederiksen’s stay at the club, with Tirol needing to strength in attack anyway as they never replaced Yeboah after he was sold.

Player of the Season: Nikolai Baden Frederiksen