Despite the win against Rapid

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Sturm defeated Rapid 2-0.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Despite a home win against Rapid, SK Sturm Graz had to settle for the runner-up title in the Austrian Bundesliga. In Sunday’s final showdown of the championship group, the defending champions deservedly prevailed 2-0 (0-0) against the Hütteldorf side after a long period of numerical superiority, sending the Green-Whites to fifth place in the standings and into the European Cup playoffs. After two championship titles, the Styrians can console themselves with a spot in the Champions League qualifiers.

In front of 16,150 spectators, coach Fabio Ingolitsch’s team didn’t seal the win until late in the game with a brace from two “super subs.” First, Gizo Mamageishvili found the corner with a long-range shot (88'), then veteran Stefan Hierländer, in his final game for the Styrians, provided a moment of joy for the Black and Whites with a direct free kick into the top corner (91'). Sturm finished the season two points behind LASK, while Rapid remained fifth, ten points behind the Graz side.

Demir’s Fateful Shoe Throw
Rapid played with a man down from the 22nd minute on because Yusuf Demir was sent off by referee Harald Lechner after throwing his shoe. In a fit of anger, the green-and-white dribbler had thrown his broken shoe from a distance toward fourth official Isa Simsek, who had to duck on the sideline to avoid the flying shoe.

Mamageishvili late tothe final meeting, then goal-scorer
Shortly before kickoff, Ingolitsch threw in a surprise: Since Mamageishvili was one minutelateto the final pre-match meeting, Maurice Malone was allowed to start. For Rapid, who had to do without their suspended captain Matthias Seidl and the injured fullback Jannes Horn, Hoff Thorup opted for an offensive approach with five nominal attackers in his lineup.

However, the early stages of the match, played in an electric atmosphere at Graz-Liebenau, belonged to the Styrians. Jatta had two good chances, but the striker narrowly missed the goal with a low shot (2nd minute) and again from a good position following a cross from Kiteishvili (11th minute). Just as Rapid was starting to get into the game, the green-and-whites’ game plan was completely turned upside down. Since referee Lechner ruled Demir’s shoe-throwing as an attack on Simsek, the former prodigy’s starting lineup debut—his first since returning to Rapid in February—was short-lived.

Sturm struggled against
With a man advantage, Sturm didn’t take the biggest risks and patiently created their chances. Jacob Peter Hödl failed twice in a row from a good position in the 37th minute, and Kiteishvili was denied by Rapid goalkeeper Niklas Hedl shortly after (40th). After the break, the dream of the title was virtually over due to LASK’s lead, though the Graz side still wanted to bid farewell with a win. In the 47th minute, Hedl once again distinguished himself against Kiteishvili (47).

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Then Rapid had their first dangerous chance: Nikolaus Wurmbrand got a shot off after a mix-up in the Sturm defense, but Daniil Chudjakov prevented the visitors from taking the lead (58'). Although Sturm dominated possession, Ingolitsch’s team lacked creative spark and finishing precision against Rapid’s deep defensive block. In the 83rd minute, Hierländer was greeted with a standing ovation from the home fans upon his substitution; shortly thereafter, he buried an unstoppable free kick into the top right corner. The goal was celebrated almost like a championship title. Prior to that, Mamageishvili had put the Graz side ahead with a well-placed long-range shot.

SK Sturm Graz – SK Rapid 2:0 (0:0)
Graz, Graz-Liebenau Stadium, 16,150 spectators, Referee Lechner

Goals: 1 -0 (88.) Mamageishvili, 2-0 (91.) Hierländer

Sturm: Chudjakov – Vallci, Mitchell, Koller, Karic (84. Hierländer) – Kiteishvili, Gorenc Stankovic, Weinhandl (62. Mamageishvili), Hödl (72. Gazibegovic) – Malone (62. Kayombo), Jatta (72. Beganovic)

Rapid: Hedl – Schöller, Cvetkovic, Raux-Yao – Wurmbrand (60. Ahoussou), Amane, Weimann (86. Gulliksen), Bolla – Y. Demir, Kara, Dahl (60. Lu. Grgic)

Yellow cards: none

Red card: Demir (22'/unsportsmanlike conduct)