UWCL: Verena Hanshaw and Austria Wien ready for ‘massive step’ on Europe’s biggest stage

UWCL: Verena Hanshaw and Austria Wien ready for ‘massive step’ on Europe’s biggest stage Austria Wien had a history-making 2025/26 season. The club won the ÖFB Frauen Bundesliga, the ÖFB Frauen Cup and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup. This season, the club is embarking on a first ever campaign in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Austria legend Verena Hanshaw was a marquee signing for Austria Wien, no doubt in preparation for a season of defending their title and challenging in Europe’s biggest football competition. Joining from Women’s Super League side West Ham, Hanshaw comes with a wealth of pedigree across Europe and in the UWCL. Austria Wien competing in the UWCL is a ‘special moment’ This season will be the first time Austria Wien have ever competed in the UWCL. Historically, SKN St. Pölten have competed on behalf of the ÖFB Frauen Bundesliga but they failed to qualify this season. Hanshaw says it’s ‘huge’ for her side to fly the Austrian flag in the UWCL. “St. Pölten sadly didn’t make it this year but we’re so proud that we did and to compete on the biggest stage. It’s a massive step for this club, we’ve brought in new players such as myself and we’ve improved again on last season. Hopefully we can show this on the pitch,” she said. Austria Wien had to overcome SK Brann to qualify for the league stage of the UWCL and did so in emphatic style, defeating the Norwegian giants 5-2 on aggregate as underdogs. “This game was really important for us, our reaction after the game was ‘wow, what just happened? We just did such a good job.'” Hanshaw said. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Chloe Kelly of England battles for possession with Verena Hanshaw of Austria (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) “I think the important thing we noticed is that we always have to bring our 100 percent on the pitch. This game showed what’s possible if we do that. It just gave us a really good feeling that it went that well.” UWCL is no new challenge for Verena Hanshaw Hanshaw has represented both AS Roma and SC Freiburg in the UWCL in previous seasons. Her experience will be called upon by not only her teammates but by Austria Wien boos Stefan Kenessei. “I don’t think we need a lot of extra motivation. It’s there already but I want the girls to know that we shouldn’t be nervous,” she admitted. “We should enjoy these moments, be how we usually are as a team. If we can’t bring our best as a team, it’ll be enough for us. “Years ago we couldn’t think about getting to this stage of the UWCL. It really means a lot to me personally to play at this level with this club, I’m going to enjoy every moment.” Chelsea will bring a lot of challenges for Austria Wien The UWCL draw was not kind to Austria Wien for the league stage. The debutants were drawn against Bayern Munich, Benfica, Juventus, Inter, Manchester City and Chelsea. Having played in the WSL with West Ham last season, Hanshaw has recent knowledge of the English side’s playing ability. “Chelsea are a great team, a top team with top players. When they play football they tend to make everything look very easy,” she said. “They always do the right play and make the right pass, they are such a hard team to play against.” Embed from Getty Images Austria Wien have only conceded two goals in the league this season. Their defensive play is some of the strongest in the ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga. “It’s going to be important that we are like a wall and defend very well. They have so many individual qualities. If we are able to do what we do best throughout the game, it will help us for sure, but it’s a huge challenge.” Where can I watch the UEFA Women’s Champions League? The UEFA Women’s Champions League will be broadcast in full on Disney+ with the first round of fixtures starting on Tuesday, 22nd September. Austria Wien will start their UWCL campaign against Chelsea away from home at The Cherry Reds Records Stadium. Tickets for their home fixtures can be applied for here .  You can watch every UWCL match live on  Disney+  as part of existing customer subscriptions. Related articles from Her Football Hub: UWCL: Emma Kullberg ready for special BK Häcken reunion as Inter make Champions League history ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga results: St. Pölten score nine, Graz remain top and SCR Altach hammer First Vienna ‘You always have a choice’: Tessel Middag speaks out against Saudi Arabia’s influence on football