Roland Linz
Encyclopedia
Roland Gunther Linz is an Austrian
footballer who plays for FK Austria Wien
as a striker.
. Aged 15, he left for Germany
to finish his football grooming, with Bavaria
's TSV 1860 München
.
Two years later, Linz returned to Austria to rejoin his hometown club, this time being featured in the professional squad. Over the next two years there he scored 27 goals in 53 games. His good form in the second division
attracted the attention of higher clubs and, in 2001, Linz joined one of the country's major football teams, Vienna
's FK Austria Wien
.
At Austria Wien, Linz had his first taste of success, winning both the Bundesliga and cup
in 2002–03. One year later, he moved on loan to VfB Admira Wacker Mödling
, located in the southern outskirts of the capital.
to play for Ligue 1
club OGC Nice
on loan. However, he failed to establish himself and returned home after just six months, to play for SK Sturm Graz
until the end of the season.
Linz then returned to Austria Wien for a final campaign, which again ended with the double as well as Linz being the league's top goalscorer. It was around this time that he established himself in the national team, with two goals in a 2–3 defeat against Poland
at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów
.
In the 2007–08 UEFA Cup, Linz netted five goals before his side was eventually ousted by SV Werder Bremen
, and added 11 goals in the league, relegating veteran goal-getter João Tomás
to the bench, as Braga finished seventh and again reached the UEFA Cup, through the Intertoto Cup.
After a run-in with manager Jorge Jesus, following a substitution during a 0–2 loss at Leixões SC, in September 2008, Linz lost his importance in the Braga squad and, on 30 January 2009, moved on loan to Grasshopper Club Zürich, until the end of the season. In his first competitive fixture for Grasshoppers, in the Zürich derby
against FC Zürich, Linz scored a goal but was sent off
after two yellow cards, in the 39th and 41st minutes.
Linz joined Gaziantepspor
during the 2009 summer, on a three-year contract, signing alongside Braga teammate Jorginho
. In January 2010, however, he returned to his country and Austria Vienna, scoring on his debut – a 4–3 home win against Kapfenberger SV
– to make the Bundesliga Team of the Week.
in a 27 March 2002 friendly match against Slovakia
, a 2–0 win in Graz
, and remained a regular in the following years.
In September 2007, Linz made a public outburst against former Austrian Football Association
president Friedrich Stickler
, and for the next 18 months was cast into the international wilderness. He returned to the national side in time for UEFA Euro 2008 on home soil, starting in all three of Austria's matches during the tournament, but finished goalless as the side crashed out at the first hurdle.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
footballer who plays for FK Austria Wien
FK Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA...
as a striker.
Early career / Germany
Linz started in the youth teams of local club DSV LeobenDSV Leoben
DSV Leoben is an Austrian association football club based in Leoben. It was founded in 1928. They play at the Donawitz Stadium.-Current squad:-Famous players: Mugur Gusatu Amir Saadati Rainer Torres Amarildo Zela Bajro Župić...
. Aged 15, he left for Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to finish his football grooming, with Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
's TSV 1860 München
TSV 1860 München
Turn- und Sportverein München von 1860, commonly known as TSV 1860 München or 1860 Munich, is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. The club's football team plays in the Second Bundesliga, after relegation from the Bundesliga following the 2003–04 season...
.
Two years later, Linz returned to Austria to rejoin his hometown club, this time being featured in the professional squad. Over the next two years there he scored 27 goals in 53 games. His good form in the second division
Austrian Football First League
The Austrian Football First League is the second highest professional division in Austrian football. It contains 10 teams and is run in the same fashion as the Austrian Bundesliga...
attracted the attention of higher clubs and, in 2001, Linz joined one of the country's major football teams, Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
's FK Austria Wien
FK Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA...
.
At Austria Wien, Linz had his first taste of success, winning both the Bundesliga and cup
Austrian Cup
The Austrian Cup, in German: ÖFB-Cup is an annual football competition held by the Austrian Football Association, the ÖFB.It has been held since 1919, with the exception of the time of the Anschluss between 1939 and 1945 and the period between 1950 and 1958 when the competition was deemed of...
in 2002–03. One year later, he moved on loan to VfB Admira Wacker Mödling
VfB Admira Wacker Mödling
FC Admira Wacker Mödling is an Austrian football club from Mödling. The club was originally formed in 1905 as SK Admira Vienna in the Austrian capital...
, located in the southern outskirts of the capital.
Second move abroad / return
In 2004, aged 23, Linz left Austria for the second time, moving to FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to play for Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
club OGC Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
on loan. However, he failed to establish himself and returned home after just six months, to play for SK Sturm Graz
SK Sturm Graz
SK Sturm Graz is an Austrian association football club, based in Graz, Styria, playing in the Austrian Bundesliga. The club was founded in 1909 and the club colours are black and white....
until the end of the season.
Linz then returned to Austria Wien for a final campaign, which again ended with the double as well as Linz being the league's top goalscorer. It was around this time that he established himself in the national team, with two goals in a 2–3 defeat against Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów
Chorzów
Chorzów is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Chorzów is one of the central districts of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
.
Portugal / Later years
After excellent performances for both club and country, interest in Linz's services increased, and he eventually joined Boavista FC during the 2006 summer, on a three-year contract. He finished his first season with ten top division goals, and subsequently moved to Sporting de Braga.In the 2007–08 UEFA Cup, Linz netted five goals before his side was eventually ousted by SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize...
, and added 11 goals in the league, relegating veteran goal-getter João Tomás
João Tomás
João Henrique Pataco Tomás is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Rio Ave F.C. as a striker.One of Portugal’s most consistent strikers over a decade, he had the ability to hit the net on a regular basis, for a host of clubs...
to the bench, as Braga finished seventh and again reached the UEFA Cup, through the Intertoto Cup.
After a run-in with manager Jorge Jesus, following a substitution during a 0–2 loss at Leixões SC, in September 2008, Linz lost his importance in the Braga squad and, on 30 January 2009, moved on loan to Grasshopper Club Zürich, until the end of the season. In his first competitive fixture for Grasshoppers, in the Zürich derby
Local derby
In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby means a sporting fixture between two, generally local, rivals, particularly in association football...
against FC Zürich, Linz scored a goal but was sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
after two yellow cards, in the 39th and 41st minutes.
Linz joined Gaziantepspor
Gaziantepspor
Gaziantepspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Gaziantep. Formed in 1969, Gaziantepspor are nicknamed the Şahinler . The club colours are black and red, and they play their home matches at Kamil Ocak Stadyumu....
during the 2009 summer, on a three-year contract, signing alongside Braga teammate Jorginho
Jorge Luiz Sousa
Jorge Luiz Pereira de Sousa, aka Jorginho , is a professional Brazilian footballer who plays for Rio Ave F.C. in Portugal, as a forward.-Football career:...
. In January 2010, however, he returned to his country and Austria Vienna, scoring on his debut – a 4–3 home win against Kapfenberger SV
Kapfenberger SV
Kapfenberger SV is an Austrian association football club from Kapfenberg. In the 2007/08 Austrian Football First League season they became champion and advanced to Austrian Bundesliga. The club was founded in 1919 as Kapfenberger SC...
– to make the Bundesliga Team of the Week.
International career
Linz made his debut for AustriaAustria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
in a 27 March 2002 friendly match against Slovakia
Slovakia national football team
The Slovakia national football team represents Slovakia in association football and is controlled by the Slovak Football Association , the governing body for football in Slovakia. Slovakia's home stadium is Štadión Pasienky and their head coach is Vladimír Weiss...
, a 2–0 win in Graz
Graz
The more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students...
, and remained a regular in the following years.
In September 2007, Linz made a public outburst against former Austrian Football Association
Austrian Football Association
The Austrian Football Association is the governing body of football in Austria. It organizes the football league, Austrian Bundesliga, the Austrian Cup and the Austrian national team, as well as its female equivalent. It is based in Vienna....
president Friedrich Stickler
Friedrich Stickler
Friedrich Stickler is the former president of Austrian Football Association and Organising Committee for the FIFA Club World Cup, and Austrian Lotteries. He was also the chairman of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee before 2007....
, and for the next 18 months was cast into the international wilderness. He returned to the national side in time for UEFA Euro 2008 on home soil, starting in all three of Austria's matches during the tournament, but finished goalless as the side crashed out at the first hurdle.
Club statistics
| Club performance | |Cup | |Continental | Austria | |Austrian Cup Austrian Cup The Austrian Cup, in German: ÖFB-Cup is an annual football competition held by the Austrian Football Association, the ÖFB.It has been held since 1919, with the exception of the time of the Anschluss between 1939 and 1945 and the period between 1950 and 1958 when the competition was deemed of... | |Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... | DSV Leoben DSV Leoben DSV Leoben is an Austrian association football club based in Leoben. It was founded in 1928. They play at the Donawitz Stadium.-Current squad:-Famous players: Mugur Gusatu Amir Saadati Rainer Torres Amarildo Zela Bajro Župić... | First League Austrian Football First League The Austrian Football First League is the second highest professional division in Austrian football. It contains 10 teams and is run in the same fashion as the Austrian Bundesliga... |
1999–00 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 13 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Austria Wien FK Austria Wien Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA... |
Bundesliga | 2001–02 | 29 | 8 | 3 | 3 | — | 32 | 11 | ||||||||||||
| 2002–03 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 4 | |||||||||||||
| Admira Mödling FC Admira Wacker Mödling FC Admira Wacker Mödling is an Austrian football club from Mödling. The club was originally formed in 1905 as SK Admira Vienna in the Austrian capital... |
2003–04 | 31 | 15 | 0 | 0 | — | 31 | 15 | |||||||||||||
| France | |Coupe de France Coupe de France The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation... | Coupe de la Ligue Coupe de la Ligue The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel... | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... | OGC Nice OGC Nice Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is... | Ligue 1 Ligue 1 Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2.... |
2004–05 | 15 | 0 | — | ||||||||||||
| Austria | |Austrian Cup Austrian Cup The Austrian Cup, in German: ÖFB-Cup is an annual football competition held by the Austrian Football Association, the ÖFB.It has been held since 1919, with the exception of the time of the Anschluss between 1939 and 1945 and the period between 1950 and 1958 when the competition was deemed of... | |Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... | Sturm Graz SK Sturm Graz SK Sturm Graz is an Austrian association football club, based in Graz, Styria, playing in the Austrian Bundesliga. The club was founded in 1909 and the club colours are black and white.... | Bundesliga | 2004–05 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 | |||||||
| Austria Wien FK Austria Wien Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA... |
2005–06 | 31 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 36 | 19 | ||||||||||||
| Portugal | |Taça de Portugal Taça de Portugal The Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is... | |Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... | Primeira Liga | 2006–07 | 28 | 10 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Sporting Braga | 2007–08 | 27 | 11 | 8 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2008–09 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Switzerland | |Swiss Cup | |Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... | Super League Swiss Super League The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams... | 2008–09 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 17 | 7 | ||||||||
| Turkey | |Turkish Cup | |Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... | Gaziantepspor Gaziantepspor Gaziantepspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Gaziantep. Formed in 1969, Gaziantepspor are nicknamed the Şahinler . The club colours are black and red, and they play their home matches at Kamil Ocak Stadyumu.... | Süper Lig | 2009–10 2009–10 Süper Lig The 2009–10 Süper Lig was the 52nd season since its establishment. The season commenced on 7 August 2009 with Istanbul B.B. hosting defending champions Beşiktaş at Atatürk Olympic Stadium. The last matches were played on 16 May 2010.Bursaspor won the league beating defending champions Beşiktaş 2–1... |
5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | ||||||||
| Austria | |Austrian Cup Austrian Cup The Austrian Cup, in German: ÖFB-Cup is an annual football competition held by the Austrian Football Association, the ÖFB.It has been held since 1919, with the exception of the time of the Anschluss between 1939 and 1945 and the period between 1950 and 1958 when the competition was deemed of... | |Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... | Austria Wien FK Austria Wien Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA... | Bundesliga | 2009–10 2009–10 Austrian Football Bundesliga The 2009–10 Austrian Football Bundesliga is the 98th season of top-tier football in Austria. The competition is officially called tipp3-Bundesliga powered by T-Mobile, named after the Austrian betting company tipp3 and the Austrian branch of German mobile phone company T-Mobile. The season began on... |
15 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 16 | 6 | |||||||
| 2010–11 2010–11 Austrian Football Bundesliga The 2010–11 Austrian Football Bundesliga is the 99th season of top-tier football in Austria. The competition was officially called tipp3-Bundesliga powered by T-Mobile, named after the Austrian betting company tipp3 and the Austrian branch of German mobile phone company T-Mobile. The season began... |
36 | 21 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 46 | 26 | |||||||||||||
| 2011–12 2011–12 Austrian Football Bundesliga The 2011–12 Austrian Football Bundesliga will be the 100th season of top-tier football in Austria. The competition will officially be called tipp3-Bundesliga powered by T-Mobile, named after the Austrian betting company tipp3 and the Austrian branch of German mobile phone company T-Mobile... |
15 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 26 | 11 | |||||||||||||
| Career totals | |— | 20 | 9 | 234 | 91 | ||||||||||||||||
| France | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Portugal | 61 | 21 | 15 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||
| Switzerland | 16 | 7 | 1 | 0 | Turkey | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Career statistics | 292 | 102 | 35 | 17 | |||||||
Team
- Austrian League: 2002–03, 2005–06
- Austrian CupAustrian CupThe Austrian Cup, in German: ÖFB-Cup is an annual football competition held by the Austrian Football Association, the ÖFB.It has been held since 1919, with the exception of the time of the Anschluss between 1939 and 1945 and the period between 1950 and 1958 when the competition was deemed of...
: 2002–03, 2005–06
Individual
- Austrian LeagueAustrian BundesligaThe Austrian Football Bundesliga is the highest-ranking national league club competition in Austrian football. It is the competition which decides the Austrian national football champions, as well the country's entrants for the various European cups run by UEFA.The Austrian Bundesliga, which began...
: Top scorer 2005–06
Personal
- Away from football, Linz enjoys surfing the InternetInternetThe Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
and shoppingShoppingShopping is the examining of goods or services from retailers with the intent to purchase at that time. Shopping is an activity of selection and/or purchase. In some contexts it is considered a leisure activity as well as an economic one....
. - His favourite band is U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
. - Linz enjoys building LegoLegoLego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...
dinosaurs.