Tales of of cash-splurging mediocrity await in Once in a Lifetime, the story of the New York Cosmos’ boom and bust. The release of this film eerily coincides with former Cosmos star Franz Beckenbauer’s continued association with Mateschitz’s firm, and also with Ronaldo’s recent rebuttal of Red Bull’s offer of $120 million to perform for its struggling New York side and ignite a thus far ambivalent audience.

Though persistent rumours that the owner of the ‘Cosmos’ name has opened negotiations with the Austrian firm appear to be unfounded, the notion that Red Bull are using their financial clout to court, if not quite conjure up the spirit of the Cosmos is now becoming apparent.

Ironically, they could learn a thing or two about reincarnating dead football clubs from a certain dedicated bunch right on their own doorstep, whose hopes are very much alive despite a recent dip in fortunes.

Austria Salzburg’s heartbreaking last-minute defeat at St. Johann was the first of a cruel trilogy of match-ups with the top sides in the division. Grödig came to town in a game which remained goalless until the final ten minutes when three quick goals for the visitors put the hosts firmly in their place.

A week later, a thousand noisy travelling violetten gave the sides a hot reception at second-placed Anif, swathing the pitch in thick smoke and swelling the crowd to over 1,400. A first half red card for midfielder Dusan Pavlovic set the scene for another heavy defeat, this time by four goals to nil.

Nevertheless, the situation remains tight and the mood amongst their large and partizan support is positive as the final game of the season approaches, at home to already-doomed Schwarzach on June 10th. Only three points will do if Austria Salzburg are to finally cap their short, but exhilarating baptism in the lowly 1. Landesliga with a no-doubt deafening sigh of relief.

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Whoever it was who said it was “tough at the top” has obviously never followed the Austrian fourth division. Points are hard to come by, and when they do they inevitably fall into the hands of your foes as well. Following their triumphant return to action, Austria Salzburg were cut down to size when a couple of defeats sandwiched a nil-all draw.

Undeterred, the violet faithful travelled to Oberndorfer to will their men to victory, before another hard-fought win, this time with a last-minute goal against mid-table Strasswalchen, offered a glimmer of hope to Austria Salzburg at the bottom of 1. Salzburger Landesliga.

Bouyed by the prospect that three points may take their fledgling side to unprecedented heights of eight place, their fans strode to the game against St. Johann in confident mood, and left a characteristic violet impression on their hosts.

They lost. 1-0, in the last minute. In these parts, even die hunde are sweating on the outcome of the final three games.

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