Sovereign victory

St. Pölten women play in the Champions League

The women of SKN St. Pölten Rush have made it to the Champions League group stage for the third time in a row.(Bild: GEPA)

The women of SKN St. Pölten Rush have made it to the Champions League group stage for the third time in a row. The Austrians won the second leg of the play-off qualifier at Slovenian showpiece club ZNK Mura 5:0 (3:0) on Thursday. As a result, St. Pölten advanced with an aggregate score of 8:0 and will take part in the draw on Friday (13:00).

St. Pölten got off to a lightning start and were already 2:0 in front after less than ten minutes. Valentina Mädl, who scored in the 3rd and 10th minute, was responsible for this. Melike Pekel added another goal in the 34th minute before the break, but the Lower Austrians missed further chances.

Draw on Friday
In the second half, Austria's serial women's champions, who had won the first leg 3-0, were no longer in danger. Tea Vračevic made it 4:0 in the 67th minute, and Mateja Zver (88th) scored the final goal with a converted foul penalty.

Four groups of four will be drawn on Friday, from which the eight teams for the quarter-finals will emerge. This is the last season with a group stage of this kind before the format is changed to a big league, as is the case for the men.