RECORDS OF THE VIENNESE KARABAKH

Nagorno-Karabakh, occupied by Armenian armed forces for more than 25 years, remains a painful issue for Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis. That is why a football club, dance groups under this name are always in the spotlight. It is no secret that the winner of the national championship for the last years – FC Karabakh won the hearts of millions. The team led by Gurban Gurbanov made its way to the group stage of the Europa League for three consecutive seasons, and marked a new chapter in the history of the national football.

But in Europe there is another club Karabakh, which acts as the Austrian championship. The idea and initiative to create in Vienna Vienna Karabakh football club was launched in 2003, its president Orkhan Veliyev. FC Karabakh Wien was formally established in August, 2014. The composition of the board of the club includes 4 Azerbaijanis, 1 Austrian and 1 Turk.

Club’s president Orkhan Veliyev told R+ about Karabakh Wien: Karabakh is an inseparable part of Azerbaijan. In connection with the well-known events in recent years, the name is more often associated with the word war. Talking to friends, I expressed my desire to create a club and call it Karabakh. In Austria, the name seemed unites us all. It has been registered as Karabakh. After all, it was important that it is easy to understand. We have many plans connected with the club. But I would like to implement every innovation in its time. We are very pleased with the success acting in Azerbaijan Karabakh club of Aghdam. And for the club Karabakh main goal - reaching the big leagues in Austria Cup. This is a very difficult thing. But not impossible. We do not seek short-term success at random. We work according to plan. In the future performance of the club and Azerbaijani footballers. This we can only be happy.

Name of the club consists of historically important for Azerbaijan and Austria region and city names. For example, the city of Vienna is known in Europe as the cradle of culture and art, and the Karabakh region of the same famous in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. Unfortunately, the use of over the past 25 years the word Karabakh paired with the words war and conflict caused damage to the true values ​​of Karabakh and led to misconceptions of the world community about it. Young Azerbaijani-founders set a goal to educate the public in Austria and Europe with Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, through sport.

Board FC Karabakh Wien developed a long-term vision of development for 5-7 years. Thus, in accordance with this club is to create a convenient infrastructure, including its own playground, the core team should leave the Bundesliga in Austria, and Children and Youth Sports School, taking advantage of the experience of foreign clubs to develop to the level of the Academy.

It did not take long until the team started to show a successful performance. The club became the champion of Austria’s II Landesliga. For the first time in the history of Austria, the joy of victory went to the club created by foreigners. Karabakh has won the championship two rounds before the end of the season 2015/2016 years and secured a place in the fourth league in Austria. Note that this is the highest stage of the Vienna Federal Land League.

In FC Karabakh Wien, last season along with a win in the league cup and took over as Vienna Toto Cup.

Successes of Karabakh Wien were highlighted at the award ceremony of football clubs, which have become champions in the 2015/2016 season, in Vienna organized by the Football Federation (VFF). Minister of Sports of Vienna taking part in the opening of this prestigious event congratulated the club with the victory. Emphasis was placed on the game demonstrated and expressed the hope that the team will achieve even greater success.

I am glad also that the success of FC Karabakh Wien core team are continued in the league and C, which shows the younger age groups. Having won and held before the winter break 10 round junior part Karabakh Vienna went on hiatus as a champion. The main purpose of the club - the conquest of infant and junior team in the current season tickets in league B. According to regulations, the league with points calculated on the basis of the results of one round teams U-14, U-16 and U-18.

And this season, the FC Karabakh Wien continues to achieve success in the league Wiener Stadt - Vienna's top league, which has only recently made its way up. In the first half of the season 2016/2017, the team has achieved historic results. So, winning 10 of 15 meetings held and playing 5 matches in a draw, Karabakh Wien set a new record of the Wiener Stadt Liga - 15 consecutive games without a loss. The second half of the season starts on 26 February 2017.

Karabakh has already a large fan club in Austria. However, it is mainly composed of Austrian fans. The results of the club are interested in and studying abroad Azerbaijani students. Do not remain indifferent to win success and fans in Azerbaijan. Fans active in social networks are willing to conduct of a friendly match between the club Karabakh Vienna and the champion of Azerbaijan FC Karabakh in the future.

No doubt if the Austrian Bundesliga team plays under the name Karabakh, it will be a great event for Azerbaijan. To achieve this, FC Karabakh Wien must successfully carry out several seasons in a row and compete for the big leagues until the end.