Verena Hanshaw returns to Vienna, finds the city’s people stressed

Walking past a bustling market in Vienna, 32‑year‑old defender Verena Hanshaw pauses as the hurried pace of shoppers reminds her of a comment she made: “In Vienna the people are very stressed.” The Austria‑Neuzugang has just completed her first week back in the capital after a 16‑year spell abroad.

Return after a long exile

Hanshaw left Vienna at 16, departing USC Landhaus and heading for Germany. Over the next decade and a half she represented nine clubs, including Eintracht Frankfurt, AS Roma and most recently West Ham United, before signing for Austria this summer and taking the violet jersey.

During her time abroad she amassed 131 caps for the Austrian national team and played in what she describes as “the best league in the world.” Her experience spans the German Frauen‑Bundesliga, Italy’s Serie A and England’s Women’s Super League.

Since joining Austria in the summer, the outer‑defender has become a fixture in a back‑line that conceded only eight goals last Bundesliga season. Her debut was marked by a rare goal: in a 5‑0 Champions‑League qualifier win over Farul, she struck the opening 1‑0 from an 18‑metre volley.

“That moment felt like a liberation strike,” Hanshaw laughed when asked about the goal. “Scoring is always special for me, because it doesn’t happen often.”

Ambitions and everyday life

Hanshaw says the biggest culture shock on returning was the closeness of family and the perception that Viennese people are constantly stressed, whether strolling in a park or shopping. She noted that English supermarkets stay open until 23:00, a convenience she misses in Vienna.

Comparing facilities, she finds Austria’s training grounds and locker rooms “very good,” though she misses the full‑service meals she received at West Ham and Roma, where breakfast and lunch were provided on site.

Looking ahead, Hanshaw is eager to help Austria reach the Champions League again. After a 0‑1 league loss to St. Pölten, she believes the team’s preparation is solid and hopes the upcoming match against LASK will sustain the positive momentum.