Holzhauser is in Leuven's starting line-up - Gorenzel believes: he wasn't allowed to, because 1860 had the right to play...

Created: 01/08/2023Updated: 01/08/2023 21:26

By: Uli Kellner

One move ahead?

OH Leuven sets up Raphael Holzhauser - 1860 boss Gorenzel happily registered it.

© Stefan Matzke / Sampics

Is this the turning point in the tough poker around Raphael Holzhauser?

The Austrian is in Leuven's starting eleven - and 1860 may have a legal trump card up its sleeve.

The Belek lions used the free Saturday afternoon in different ways: some went on a shopping spree, others to the barber shop or to the pool – the head of sports was drawn to the beach.

Günther Gorenzel sat alone in the sand, looked thoughtfully in the direction of the sunset and, addressed by our newspaper, said: "I'm thinking about our next moves.

.

."

Gorenzel's legal opinion: Holzhauser should only have played for 1860 on Sunday

That means, of course, the transfer chess around Raphael Holzhauser, who didn't make his debut in the Löwen jersey against Lautern as planned on Sunday, but played again for OH Leuven at 9 p.m.

In the game against KV Kortrijk, the player of choice for the lions was in the starting XI.

A mistake by the Belgians, the lions believe...

Gorenzel's trump card up his sleeve: He had an official guest-permission for Holzhauser for Sunday, as well as written contracts with Holzhauser and his club, which until recently still wanted to loan the Austrian.

Gorenzel believes Leuven shouldn't have used Holzhauser.

His hope: The Belgians must now give in because the club may have made itself liable for damages.

Is this the turning point in the tough transfer poker?

In any case, Gorenzel still has hope of reaching an agreement with Leuven before the league restarts in Mannheim.

Internally, everyone agrees on 1860: it should be Holzhauser, no one else.

There is no plan B, at least for now.

As a “signal player”, the midfield veteran should become the decisive factor in the fight for promotion.

The fact that more and more clubs around Holzhauser are bidding (recently including Austria Vienna, Mödling, Graz) does not make the 1860 sports director nervous.

Gorenzel makes it clear: "Rapha wants to be with us - and we want him."