Who are LASK? Austrians recovered from bankruptcy to become regular in Europe

LASK will embark on their latest European journey this week as they host Liverpool on Thursday evening, live on talkSPORT 2.

The Austrian side have become regulars in European competition, playing against Manchester United and Tottenham in recent years. 

However, things weren’t always so rosy for the club as they were once on the brink of bankruptcy with their future looking bleak. 

They have impressively bounced back though, and ahead of their game against Liverpool, talkSPORT.com takes a look at their story…

Who are LASK?

LASK, also known as Linzer ASK, were founded in 1908. 

The club play their football in the Austrian Bundesliga with their home games held at the impressive Raiffeisen Arena in Linz. 

They won their first Bundesliga title in 1965, with the club regularly achieving a place in European competition for the next 35 years. 

LASK were often in the UEFA Cup, collecting a historic giant killing against Italian side Inter Milan in 1985 along the way. 

However, despite plenty of appearances in Europe, success didn’t follow and that Bundesliga title in 1965 is their only ever Austrian first-tier trophy. 

From 2000, things started to go downhill for the club as they went on an 18-year drought of European football and things turned sour off-field during that time. 

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In 2010, LASK were relegated to the Austrian second tier and then two years later, they lost their licence to play in the top two divisions. 

Their finances were in a dire state and they also couldn’t afford to keep playing games at their home stadium. 

This led to the club being on the brink of bankruptcy and they were desperately seeking a buyer for the club. 

Luckily, during the 2013/14 season, a local group of investors called the ‘Friends of LASK’ took over the club and saved them. 

And that moment has changed the trajectory of LASK. 

They went on to get promoted to the Austrian second tier in that same season and only three years later they were back in the big time. 

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In 2018, LASK made their return to Europe, reaching the Europa League qualifying rounds. 

They didn’t reach the group stage but it marked a huge moment in club’s the incredible comeback. 

Since then, the Austrian side have once again become regulars in European competitions.

LASK reached the round of 16 in the Europa League in 2020, where they would be knocked out by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United. 

They also played Tottenham in the competition a year later before reaching the round of 16 in the Conference League in 2022. 

After a year out of Europe, LASK are now back and have been drawn alongside Premier League opposition again with Liverpool their opponents. 

Both group-stage fixtures against Jurgen Klopp’s side will be huge occasions for the club who can celebrate 10 years since near extinction by playing one of the world’s greatest teams. 

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