No Beer For You!

It was a big deal when Ivica Vastic finally scored Austria’s first and only goal of the tourney thus far. Big deal for Austria because they were supposed to be embarrassed at home by now, but it gave them the chance to perhaps, in some unfathomable way, get through the knockouts. Big for Poland because they felt hard done by and cheated. Big deal for Ivica Vastic because it’s likely his last ever competitive tournament for Austria, but also because he got free beer for life.

A Vienna brewery is promising a lifelong supply of free beer to any Austria player who scores a goal for the co-hosts in their remaining Euro 2008 group matches against Poland and Germany.

That is, he thought he got free beer for life.

The brewery, Ottakringer, stuck by their words and were prepared to offer up the free beer for life to Ivica Vastic, who probably would’ve been all too happy to oblige. At 38, he’s probably looking at plans for his post-retirement days and nothing fills up time like alcoholism. Problem is the Austria FA won’t allow him to accept the reward because it’s “unnecessary” or some bullshit. Or maybe it’s because one of their main sponsors is a rival brewer.

“We don’t need such type of motivation. We need three points against Poland, but we definitely need no beer belly,” said Alfred Ludwig, secretary general of the Austrian Football Association. But his decision also seems to have economic reasons.

Ludwig said the association might lose the credibility it enjoyed with its sponsors if it accepted the offer. He was referring to the Stiegl brewery, which supports Austrian football and distributes the official Euro 2008 Carlsberg brand.

Ah, yes, no need for more motivation because they’re getting their cash from another brewery. (Perhaps Ottakringer suspected this all along? Brilliant marketing ploy without having to pay out if so.)

And we mentioned that whole retirement thing for Vastic? Yeah, call me crazy, but why do I get the feeling Ottakringer is going to receive a phone call like 6 seconds after Ivica’s retirement press conference?

Now the real question: Does Howard Webb also get free beer for life?