Football Season Guide

WSG Swarowski Tirol are set to participate in the Bundesliga for the first time in their history and are going toe-to-toe with Hartberg for the title of the smallest club in the big league. Apart from a period during which they were merged with Wacker Tirol (now Innsbruck), they have spent the majority of their history in the Austrian lower leagues, but the increased financial backing they have received over the recent years has allowed them to move up the leagues and qualify for the top flight after three seasons in the second tier. They are in a healthy financial situation and therefore have no problems attracting midtable-level Bundesliga players. They already have several proven Bundesliga players in their squad, but have also managed to attract a proven striker in Zlatko Dedic during the summer; while making several other promising signings from Erste Liga teams. WSG's ground currently does not meet the Bundesliga regulations and is being restructured. In the meantime, they will play their home games at Wacker Innsbruck's Tivoli stadium. Judging chances of newly-promoted sides is always tough, but WSG have a decent core of the squad and the ability to bring in more signings if things do not go well. They therefore look well equipped to survive in the top flight.