The Haas family’s extraordinary football legacy in Liechtenstein centers around FC Vaduz, where six brothers played together during the 1983/84 season. Their half-brother, Adi Noventa, was a prominent figure, coaching the team while having achieved success as a player. Mario Frick emerged as the family’s standout, becoming Liechtenstein’s top scorer in Serie A. Unique talents, such as Alex’s quirky television bets, highlight their diverse contributions, all rooted in a supportive family environment fostered by their grandmother.
The Unique Football Legacy of the Haas Family in Liechtenstein
In the small yet remarkable Principality of Liechtenstein, a captivating football story unfolds that is truly one of a kind. During the 1983/84 season, FC Vaduz aimed for promotion to the National League B, with a striking lineup featuring six brothers from the Haas family. These siblings, listed in order of age, were Mario, Haimo, Markus, René, Modestus, and Alex Haas, making their mark on the pitch together.
The oldest among them, Adi Noventa, their half-brother, had already made significant strides in his football career. A talented forward, Noventa transferred from Vaduz to the Grasshopper Club, where he became a Swiss champion in 1970. He also made headlines as a goalscorer in the UEFA Cup against Tottenham Hotspur. At the time his half-brothers shone with Vaduz, Noventa was the head coach, proudly holding the title of the last coach to lead FC Winterthur into the National League A until Alex Frei accomplished the same feat in 2022.
Betting Fame and Family Support
Notably, Noventa also recalls his fierce rivalry with Ottmar Hitzfeld of SC Zug, where he triumphed in two out of three encounters against the future world-renowned coach.
Among the Haas brothers, it was Mario Frick who achieved the most illustrious career, netting an impressive twenty goals in over a hundred matches in Italy’s Serie A, earning the title of Liechtenstein’s all-time leading goalscorer. Frick’s coaching journey has also begun on a high note, having successfully led FC Vaduz to the Super League and currently guiding FC Luzern at the top of the league table.
While the spotlight often shone on his brothers, Alex Haas captured public attention with his unique talents on the German television show “Wetten, dass . . .?” In 2008, he made headlines by betting he could identify 30 football models solely by licking them. Three years later, he claimed he could discern toilet seat brands just by briefly sitting on them. Remarkably, Haas won both challenges, with his betting partners being none other than goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. His ball-licking feat was even showcased on the Chinese version of the show, reaching an audience of around 200 million viewers.
The driving force behind the Haas family’s sporting achievements was their grandmother, Hanni, an Italian native who became a vital part of FC Vaduz. While female participation in football was rare at the time, Hanni took on numerous roles at the club, from selling tickets to washing kits. Her husband, the father of the Haas brothers, may not have excelled as a player, but he passed on his speed to his children and coached Liechtenstein’s first women’s football team.
Growing up, the Noventa-Haas family spent countless hours playing football, often joined by guest workers who spoke Italian, creating a rich environment for their skills to flourish. Mario Frick, who was raised by his grandmother during his early years, became like an extra child to her. Adi Noventa fondly acknowledges the duality of his role as the eldest son—while it came with responsibilities, it also provided him the advantage of honing his skills while playing alongside his younger siblings.
This remarkable family narrative showcases how passion and dedication can lead to extraordinary achievements in the world of football, cementing their legacy in Liechtenstein’s sporting history.