Showdown in the Bundesliga

Stadium gates open + police line up

The Rapid fans in the visitors’ section of the Merkur Arena have a special message for Graz.(Bild: Georg Kallinger)

The showdown is underway: LASK and Sturm Graz are currently locked in a long-distance battle for the Austrian soccer championship in the Bundesliga. The live ticker from krone.at keeps you updated—beyond the sporting action—on all the latest developments in and outside the stadiums in Vienna, Graz, and Linz. 

A brief recap of events so far: 

• The games are underway. In Vienna, the roundabout in Favoriten is the hotspot. Police are ensuring that the two fan groups are kept apart.

• A security zone has been set up around the Merkur Arena in Graz. It will remain in effect until this evening.

• In Linz, there is a massive public viewing area in front of the Raiffeisen Arena. Fans can watch the game in Vienna here. If LASK wins the championship, the big championship celebration will take place here. 

• The showdown between LASK and Sturm Graz for the league title goes far beyond the green pitch. Celebrities aren’t hiding their passion.
• LASK fans set off fireworks beforehand to celebrate the relegation of city rival Blau-Weiß.

The krone-at live ticker:

LASK: First championship title in 61 years?
LASK is on the verge of its first championship trophy in 61 years. For the Linz team led by coach Dietmar Kühbauer, a draw against Wiener Austria in Sunday’s Bundesliga showdown (2:30 p.m.) will be enough to secure the second double in the club’s history. As the only remaining contender, Sturm Graz needs a home win against Rapid and some help from others. Salzburg aims to end the weakest season of the RB era on a decent note with a home victory over Hartberg.