History of FC Gherdëina – Football in Val Gardena

Our History – From the Village Pitch to the Oberliga

Three decades of passion, unity and football from Val Gardena.

Val Gardena is a valley of passion. A passion for mountains, for culture, for community – and for more than three decades, also for football. FC Gherdëina is not simply a football club. It is a piece of Val Gardena’s identity, grown from the unity of two villages, carried by hundreds of volunteers, coaches, players and families who give everything year after year.

1992

One valley, one team
On 18 June 1992, football enthusiasts from Val Gardena made history. At the “Stua Catores” in St. Ulrich/Ortisei, the presidents of F.C. Urtijëi/St. Ulrich and A.C. Sëlva/Wolkenstein decided to join forces and chart a new course. FC Gherdëina was born.
Founding fathers such as Ivo Malsiner, Roman Senoner, Ulrich Insam, Werner Dejori, Robert Demetz and Alex Runggaldier laid the foundations. The first season 1992/93 left no doubt: with 39 out of 40 possible points, the team under coach Angelo Bellemo became sensational champions.

1998

All of Val Gardena under one roof
In 1998, F.C. St. Christina was integrated into the club. For the first time, all three Val Gardena village clubs were united. Shortly afterwards, the team even made the leap to the 1st Amateur League – a first taste of what is possible when all of Val Gardena stands together.

2002–2011

The years of ups and downs
After relegation to the lowest amateur league in 2002/03, a hard-fought rebuilding process began under coach Patrick Perathoner. In 2005/06, the team won the decisive promotion play-off against St. Lorenzen 1:0. In the 2006/07 season, under the coaching duo Uli Insam and Roman Senoner, the team stormed straight through to the 1st Amateur League.
However, 2007/08 brought relegation to the 2nd Amateur League, and a year later back down to the 3rd League. In the 2009/10 season, the coaching trio of Perathoner, Ploner and Tiozzo forged a determined squad that finished 3rd – FCG was admitted to the 2nd Amateur League thanks to the best fair play record. But 2011 brought the next relegation to the 3rd League.

2012

Fresh start: A new club leadership
In spring 2012, it was time for a deep transformation. With Michael Platzgummer, Patrick Schwingshackl and Christof Rifesser came new faces, new ideas and a clear vision. Away from improvisation, towards structured, sustainable club management. The club deliberately invested in an experienced coaching staff and laid the groundwork for what was to follow in the coming years.

2014/15

Promotion to the 2nd Amateur League: the first fruits
In the 2014/15 season, FC Gherdëina was promoted to the 2nd Amateur League – confirmation that the transformation of 2012 had been the right decision. The new concept was working, the team was growing together, and all of Val Gardena could feel it: something special was happening here.

2015/16

The drama of a narrowly missed promotion
Everyone who was there will never forget what happened in this season. On the final matchday, FCG was still top of the table at half-time. Promotion was within reach. But in the end, it wasn’t enough – fate turned in the second halves of the parallel games.
This experience was painful – but it brought the group closer together. And it showed just how close to the goal they already were.

2016–2019

Quiet years with an eye on the future
After the excitement of 2015/16, calmer years in the 2nd Amateur League followed. Behind the scenes, the work continued: youth development expanded, local players carefully nurtured, the club professionalised step by step. This phase was not stagnation – it was preparation for what was to come.

2020/21

Never stopped, even through Covid
The pandemic brought football worldwide to a halt. But FC Gherdëina refused to be discouraged: video training, keeping the youth engaged, holding the community together. In the 2020/21 season, the first team stood top of the table – then the season was abandoned once again. But no one lost faith.

2022

Promotion to the 1st Amateur League
In 2022, the first team achieved promotion to the 1st Amateur League – with an average age under 24 years. Local players, Val Gardena born and bred. Exactly the concept the club had pursued from the very beginning: quality from the home valley.

2023

Into the Landesliga for the first time – a new chapter
In 2023, FC Gherdëina was promoted to the Landesliga for the first time in its history. With newly elected president Peter Rabanser and a completely renewed board, a new era of professionalism and clear strategic direction began at the same time.

2025

1 June 2025 – The day that made history
Trento, 1 June 2025. The deciding match for promotion to the Oberliga. Full time: a draw. Extra time: a draw. Penalty shoot-out. Every kick a heartbeat. And in the end: FC Gherdëina.

“FC Gherdëina is the first Oberliga club in the history of Val Gardena.”

All of South Tyrol was talking about this achievement. And the most beautiful thing about it: almost the entire squad lives in Val Gardena. Only two players come from outside. That is no coincidence – it is the result of decades of consistent youth work and an unshakeable belief in the home valley.

Key Milestones at a Glance

1992 Founded by the merger of F.C. Urtijëi and A.C. Sëlva – league champions in the first season

1998 Integration of F.C. St. Christina – promotion to the 1st Amateur League

2006 Promotion play-off victory against St. Lorenzen (1:0)

2007 Straight promotion to the 1st Amateur League under Insam & Senoner

2012 Major boardroom restructuring – new vision, new structures, new direction

2015 Promotion to the 2nd Amateur League – first fruits of the fresh start

2016 Narrowly missed promotion – top of the table at half-time of the final matchday

2022 Promotion to the 1st Amateur League with a young, local squad

2023 Historic promotion to the Landesliga – new club leadership under President Peter Rabanser

2025 Promotion to the Oberliga – first Oberliga club in the history of Val Gardena

FC Gherdëina today is more than a football club. It is a meeting place for families, a school of life for hundreds of children and young people – over 300 members, 15 youth teams, 35 coaches and helpers.

It remains what it has always been: a piece of Val Gardena. For all who have roots here. For all who simply love football.

Forza FC Gherdëina – yesterday, today and forever! 🏔️⚽