Latest news with #Burgenland
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Austria trip provides Albion with plenty of positives
It's the final full day in Burgenland for Albion's players and staff and they've rounded off a productive pre-season training camp with a 1-1 draw against Ukrainian champions Dynamo game was played at the home of SC Bad Tatzmannsdorf, who play in the fourth tier of Austrian football. You can't call it a stadium as there was perhaps only around 100 seats, with everyone else crammed under the clubhouse roof when the rain came down in the second pitch lies at the bottom of the slope from the Baggies' base next to a walking track and while this match wasn't quite played at walking pace, unlike a Mozart masterpiece, it also wasn't a classic. Pre-season encounters never are to be fair but there were plenty of positives. Mikey Johnston, who just days ago was close to moving to Brazil, came on at half-time for Tom Fellows and crossed the ball in from the right for summer signing Nat Phillips to head home the Baggies goal from close played in a 4-4-1-1 formation and looked comfortable in possession. It was interesting to see some of the patterns of play we witnessed on the training field earlier this week being played out in the game and head coach Ryan Mason told me afterwards he was pleased with week will also have been about team bonding, particularly for new team-mates and it would have given Mason the chance to get to know his players better. We witnessed the camaraderie as members of the team gathered to play cards in the hotel foyer during a break from training earlier in the week, while new striker Aune Heggebo, who wasn't involved in the friendly, was filmed by the club playing table tennis with squad will now head from Burgenland back to the Black Country and then onto their next warm-up match against ex-Baggies boss Steve Bruce's Blackpool a week on can catch all of Steve Hermon's chats with the West Brom players in Austria on BBC Sounds.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Fascinating access to Mason's session'
First, I'm delighted to reported that the torrential rain has disappeared. It's still breezy in Burgenland but there has been a glimpse of some blue sky above Albion's training base in Bad has been very insightful because I was granted access to one of Ryan Mason's training sessions and it was fascinating to watch the new head coach put his team through their paces. The first part of the session saw the 34-year-old watching light drills that were led by assistant coaches Nigel Gibbs, Damia Abella and James Morrison before Mason, who had donned a Baggies baseball cap, took over.I don't want to give too much away because I'm mindful that Mason was gracious enough to grant us this access, but the thing that stood out for me was how vocal he was and clear with his instructions. He didn't mind halting the session to get a specific point across. In terms of formation and style of play, we'll get more of an insight into that on Friday when Albion play Dynamo Kyiv in a behind closed doors friendly that I'm also being allowed to worth noting that Mikey Johnston is now back with the squad after the collapse of his move to Brazil. He looked very lively in the morning session, as did Isaac Price and Tom Fellows, who've both had busier summers than most because of international duty with Northern Ireland and England under-21s, respectively. New signing Aune Heggebo also looked strong and tenacious on the training field as he looks to impress his new camaraderie between the players was also evident. They finished with some seven-a-side action and it was extremely competitive between the four teams with plenty of banter flying around. They're now back inside for a break before heading out for another session in the afternoon as the hard work Radio WM will have a special 'Albion In Austria' programme from 18:00 BST on Wednesday, which you can listen to on BBC Sounds.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Baggies arrive at 'Land of the Castles'
I've landed in rainy Austria where Albion are spending a week preparing for the new Mason's squad arrived in the Burgenland region, close to the Hungarian border, at the weekend and I've even been beaten to the base by the Baggies' latest signing, Aune by the way, translates as 'Land of the Castles' - and Norwegian striker Heggebo appears to be as imposing as a medieval structure. How he stands up against Championship defenders remains to be acknowledging ongoing challenges with profit and sustainability rules, the club's owners Bilkul have shown their ambition by committing to spend a reported £4.75m to bring the 23-year-old in from SK the highest transfer fee since they took over in February 2024. Although it should be pointed out that because he's signed a five-year contract, the transfer fee can be spread over the course of that deal. That's smart business but it's still a significant Johnston is also expected to arrive later than the rest of the squad after a sensational move to Brazilian side Flamengo collapsed almost as sensationally in the space of 48 the winger will find when he arrives is a Uefa-approved training facility complete with a hotel and spa nestled among green fields in this small full disclosure, where I'm staying a short walk away isn't quite as luxurious but it does have a cafe attached to it with some lovely pastries, so I'm not are being allowed to watch a couple of training sessions while over here, so it will be interesting to see Ryan Mason's coaching methods up close as he embarks on his first senior head coach camp ends with a behind closed doors friendly against Dynamo Kiev on Friday, which we'll be reporting on and I'll also be recording several interviews with players throughout the Radio WM will have a special 'Albion In Austria' programme from 18:00 BST on Wednesday, which you can listen to on BBC Sounds.
Russia Today
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Compulsory work for refugees introduced in EU country
Burgenland state in Austria has introduced a scheme requiring asylum seekers to work for their host municipalities. Those who repeatedly refuse will see their welfare benefits cut to the bare minimum. Speaking last Wednesday, State Councilor Daniela Winkler from the Social Democratic Party (SPO) explained that 'migration must be financially and socially viable,' adding that the measures are meant to reflect 'fairness towards the population.' The 'Burgenland Model', approved by the regional legislature in December 2024, is set to launch on July 1. Winkler argued that as asylum seekers 'become committed contributors to the community… prejudices disappear, and integration becomes a tangible experience.' According to the official, 'the structured daily routine provides asylum seekers with stability and meaning during a period of uncertainty.' The local authorities have estimated that there are around 130 asylum seekers of working age currently residing in Burgenland, who appear to be eligible for the 'model.' The scheme envisages asylum seekers being deployed to areas where additional hands are most needed, depending on the locality. 'It's not about symbolic employment, but rather real, everyday tasks,' Winkler clarified. According to a statement on the SPO's website, eligible jobs include landscape and winter maintenance, cleaning, delivery services, and 'simple auxiliary tasks' in nursing homes and libraries. Refugees in caregiving roles will work up to 20 hours weekly, while other community service roles require up to 30 hours. They will be paid €1.60 per hour ($1.90) Those who have repeatedly refused to participate in the scheme without a valid reason will have their welfare payments and services slashed. However, asylum seekers will retain access to basic accommodation, food, and medical care under all circumstances The Burgenland state councilor clarified that an asylum seeker who refuses to perform compulsory social services can, for instance, expect to be removed from a state-provided apartment, and given simply a 'place to sleep' instead. On Wednesday, the head of the regional SPO chapter, Roland Furst, also stated that Burgenland has put a cap of 330 people on asylum seeker admittance per year. He also called for asylum and deportation procedures to be sped up. According to official statistics, Burgenland's population stood at 301,790 as of January 1, 2025. Carinthia, another Austrian state, is reportedly developing a similar mandatory employment scheme for asylum seekers.
