Priests’ national team raises funds for Ukraine

Austria’s priests’ national football team lost 5-3 to Slovenia in a charity match on Monday, with proceeds going to projects in Ukraine, ORF reported.

The teams played two 20-minute halves on a reduced-size pitch at the sports ground in Olbendorf. The result was secondary to the match’s charitable purpose, said SPÖ mayor and co-organiser Wolfgang Sodl. ÖVP parliamentary group leader Bernd Strobl refereed the game.

Olbendorf parish priest Zdravko Gasparic, who has been a priest for 30 years, organised the event. He said the aim was to support people in Ukraine. Earlier smaller initiatives had supported children and older people, he said. Proceeds from the sale of team jerseys will also go to projects in Ukraine.