Sturm against GAK

The crackling begins! GAK fans start marching

The police form up around the Merkur Arena.(Bild: zVg/Krone-Lesereporter)

It "smells" like a derby in the Styrian capital. While the Sturm fans warmed up early at the Merkur Arena in Liebenau, the GAK fans marched to the arena. The "Krone" will keep you up to date. The police reported the situation for the first time. 

The "red movement" formed in ORF-Park, around 1000 supporters of the Bundesliga promoted team met in Graz-St.Peter to march together towards the arena. The atmosphere is peaceful and the first fan chants are started.

Start in ORF Park(Bild: zVg/Krone-Lesereporter)

The march has now begun. GAK fans can only enter the stadium, which opens at 3.30 pm, via the entrance in Sector 27. After the game, they are then chauffeured back to Dietrichsteinplatz in shuttle buses.

There will be a large-scale cordon.(Bild: zVg/Krone-Lesereporter)

In the meantime, the GAK fans have also arrived at the stadium - greeted by a large number of law enforcement officers. Over 350 police officers are to ensure security in and around the Merkur Arena.

The organized Sturm fans had already met at the stadium in Graz-Liebenau at 12 noon and started setting up the choreographies. Around three hours before the match, both fan camps had already taken up position.

It fills up around the stadium - the Sturm fans are clearly in the majority.(Bild: zVg/Krone-Lesereporter)

Police on alert
The police watch the hustle and bustle around the arena. "You can't look away," reports one officer, who speaks of minor skirmishes between rival fans. So far, however, the situation is under control, but they remain on alert.

Sturm receives support from the air.(Bild: zVg/Krone-Lesereporter)

While high up in the air above the stadium (see picture above), a glider with a Sturm banner in tow makes its rounds, the police form up around Ivica Osim Square.

The police presence is enormous, the access roads to the arena are carefully controlled and cordoned off. A sea of black can be seen on the stadium forecourt, which is firmly in the hands of the Sturm fans. The atmosphere is currently calm.

GAK coach Gernot Messner(Bild: GEPA)

The teams are now in the stadium, the GAK bus was cheered frenetically by the red fans on arrival. Gernot Messner (pictured above) and Co. are not only chasing a sensation against their city rivals, but also their first win in the Bundesliga since returning to the top flight.