Sturm run over by Ukrainian vice-champion

SK Sturm Graz suffered a heavy defeat in the first test match of their training camp in Irdning. Austria's vice-champion clearly lost 2-6 to Ukrainian vice-champion LNZ Cherkasy.

Beganovic put the Graz team in the lead in the seventh minute, but after that, Sturm was outclassed in all aspects.

Assinor bagged a hat-trick within 19 minutes (20th, 29th, 39th), with Pasich scoring in between (26th) to make it temporarily 1-2. They headed into the dressing rooms with the score at 1-4.

Storm temporarily interrupts goal fest

After the break, Kravchuk (59th) added another, shortly after which the match had to be interrupted due to an approaching storm.

Subsequently, Yakubu made it 1-6 (79th), and Wlodarczyk still managed to score a consolation goal for the "Blackies."

WAC, on the other hand, celebrated a 2-0 victory against Serbian first-division team FC Zeleznicar Pancevo. Pink scored from a penalty, and newcomer Hassler also found the net for the Lavanttal team.

Great disappointment for Ingolitsch

"Today, one has to clearly say that our opponent was better in all aspects from the start and deservedly won by this margin," said Sturm head coach Fabio Ingolitsch, disappointed after the 2-6 defeat.

Lessons must be learned from this game. "Of course, we gained many valuable insights – but we also have enough time in this early phase of preparation to properly address everything."

"However, I expect some things to be quite different already on Friday against Kosice. If you concede twelve goals throughout the entire spring and six in one game today, you have to look at today's match very critically."

Sturm's lineup: Helac - Heil (60. Haider) - Vallci (60. Mitchell) - Petrovic (46. Soglo) - Koller (60. Maierhofer) - Stanković (60. Rozga, 85. Lazaree) - Hödl (46. Fosso) - Seidl (60. Malone) - Mamageishvili (46.Weinhandl) - Beganovic (46. Kayombo) - Jatta (46. Włodarczyk)