Austrian priest trades vestments for goalkeeper gloves
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Johann Wurzer, a priest in the Austrian community of Opponitz, recently played goalkeeper for the local SV Opponitz reserve team and saved a penalty kick, securing a victory against FCU Strengberg.
The 64-year-old Wurzer stepped into the role when the team’s regular goalkeeper was unavailable. He regularly trains with the team and even hosted a penalty shootout with his congregation after a church event celebrating the Fußball-Weltmeisterschaft (Football World Cup).
Wurzer explained that his success in goal comes from decades of experience as a goalkeeper, not divine intervention. He also participates in the Austrian Priesternationalmannschaft (Priests’ National Team), which competes in annual European championships. While Austria’s team typically finishes in the bottom third, Wurzer noted that countries like Poland, Croatia, and Portugal consistently dominate due to a much higher rate of ordinations. Beyond football, Wurzer ministers to three parishes, and finds attracting worshippers more challenging than stopping penalty kicks.
He reports strong attendance from young families in one parish, but struggles to draw crowds in the other two, and admits he doesn’t know why. He hopes his recent football fame might encourage more people to attend services.
