Südtirol

"Südtirol" represents the german speakers minority in South Tyrol - Italy. The status of a minority of the almost entirely German and Ladin-speaking South Tyroleans became apparent with the end of World War 1.  The allied England and France promised the neutral Italy for an entry into the war on their side and following victory different Italian-speaking territories such as South Tyrol, which belonged to the Habsburg empire. The territory was indeed held by the Austrian army until the war ended, but with the defeat evermore risk of a division of Tyrol loomed ahead. The Tyroleans pressed for the usage of point 9 of American President Wilson`s points plan, who provided the adjustment of Italys´ boundaries under clearly recognizable nationalities lines. The hope for its use waned after the signing of the armistice, because now the Italian troops could freely penetrate into the hitherto unconquered territory. It was attempted to hinder the threatening annexation, but during the peace negotiations of St. German in Paris it was easy for Italy to be awarded for the southern part of Tyrol. On September 10, 1919, the Austrian State Chancellor Renner had to sign the peace treaty, which allotted the State Italy without any escape clause for South Tyrol. On October 10, 1920, it came to the final annexation of South Tyrol by the Italian Parliament (excerpts from "Our Story" by Martha Stocker).

Despite great efforts in the time of fascism and after the Second World War to assimilate the German-speaking population by strong influx of Italian-speaking citizens, South Tyrol reached to obtain a high degree of autonomy with specific safeguarding provisions and so to preserve the ethnic group. 

Today the German-speaking population in Italy counts about 350,000 people, spread over the entire province of Bozen - South Tyrol with its capital Bozen.

Südtirol at the EUROPEADA

Football has always had an important role in this region and so the idea of the EUROPEADA awaked enthusiasm. Klaus Dibiasi in high diving, Gustav Thöni at the skiers, Armin Zöggeler at the bobsleigh riders and Reinhold Messner at the mountain climbers have achieved worldwide fame.

But here also the “national team” showed that they were able to perform well. The results brought the enthusiasm at the top; with a 1 to 0 victory against Croatia in Serbia they declared themselves as the first EUROPEADA winner in 2008. In 2012 they were able to defend the title with a 3 to 1 victory against the Roma from Hungary in Lausitz. The proud of the own ethnic group was a reason too for a very ambitious performance. 

The squad at the EUROPEADA 2016

List of players nominated by manager Andreas Vieider and the choaches Manfred Villgrater and Thomas Piffrader: 

Keeper: Daniel Kaneider (Bozner FC), Patrick Psenner (Ahrntal)
Defence: Lukas Aichner, Roland Harrasser (beide St. Georgen), Markus Fiechter, Manuel Prossliner (beide Brixen), Stefan Rellich (Tramin), Hannes Steger (Ahrntal)
Midfield: Simon Greif, Martin Pichler (Tramin), Elmar Haller (St. Martin), Stefan Pareiner (Ahrntal), Martin Ritsch (St. Georgen), Armin Rungg (Partschins)
Offence: Matthias Bacher (Naturns), Lukas Hofer (Virtus Bozen), Peter Mair (Naturns), Thomas Piffrader (St. Georgen)
Choaches: Manni Villgrater/Thomas Piffrader