The 33-year-old Viennese, a dedicated Flashscore user, relied heavily on detailed statistical analysis provided by the platform to guide his predictions. He examined various factors such as each team’s recent form, home and away records, goal-scoring trends, xG (expected goals) values, and the impact of red cards, among other comprehensive stats.
His meticulous approach paid off, making him the first winner out of over 1.2 million tips submitted across 125 Bundesliga rounds. In an exclusive interview, Zipp shares his emotions and thoughts about the incredible win, describing the moment he realised he struck it rich as surreal.
“It feels surreal. I wake up at night drenched in sweat. My head is spinning with thoughts of joy,” he said.
Despite the disappointment of his favourite team, Rapid Vienna, not securing victory last weekend, Zipp remained focused. He explains that his success is the result of hours of careful research and detailed statistical analysis. “I look up all the important statistics,” he says. “Home record, away record. How many goals have the away teams scored recently? What are the xG values in recent weeks? Did red cards influence the game? And a few other detailed stats.” His methodical process not only highlights the importance of data-driven predictions but also shows how passion combined with strategic thinking can pay off big.
He explains his typical matchday routine: “First, I open the odds tab. This gives me an initial idea of how the bookmakers are thinking and whether I assess the balance of power similarly. Then I switch to head-to-head, especially those direct duels that have taken place in the last two years. Anything longer than two years ago is of no use to me. About an hour before kick-off, I look at the lineups. From kick-off onwards, I focus mainly on the game info, statistics, and standings tabs.”
Finding the edge
Zipp also highlights a feature that many casual users overlook but gives him a micro-edge - incorporating xG values into his analysis. “Expected goals are very important to me - they account for 40% of my assessment,” he notes, “while home and away records are weighted at 30%, as are red cards.”
He doesn’t allow himself to make any prediction changes on matchday unless there are serious developments like injuries, travel issues, or weather conditions that could impact gameplay. “Once I’ve made a decision, I stick to it. I only make exceptions if something serious happens at short notice,” he explained.
“For example, if an important player is injured or the team has had problems travelling and may not be rested for the match. But the weather also sometimes plays a role - strong winds, snow, and rain can disadvantage teams with strong offences.”
He describes his viewing habits, saying, “I didn't watch any games live on Saturday; I just followed them on the Flashscore app. On Sunday, I watched the last and decisive game live at the Wettcafe.”
He recalls a couple of memorable moments prompted by notifications: “I will remember two push notifications for a long time to come.
The first was when the first three tips were correct on Saturday evening. After the fifth correct tip, I immediately drove to the ADMIRAL betting café to watch the last game between Sturm Graz and RB Salzburg.”
World Cup over Lamborghini
Beyond football, Zipp is also a tennis enthusiast, appreciating Flashscore’s fast live results and in-depth statistics. When asked what he plans to do with his winnings, he shares, “I’d like to travel to Japan, attend major sporting events like the World Cup and the US Open,” and mentions considering real estate investments, “Maybe I’d buy an apartment.”
He remains modest about luxury purchases, saying, “In any case, I wouldn’t buy a Lamborghini.” His story demonstrates that combining passion, disciplined research, and strategic predictions can turn luck into a life-changing event, inspiring others to follow suit.