Qualification Secured! Sturm Wins in Scotland Again

Following their clear 4-0 first-leg victory, the "Blackies" also won the return leg against Heart of Midlothian in Edinburgh with a 2-0 score, deservedly advancing with a 6-0 aggregate.

After a goalless first half, Simon Seidl (64') and Emran Soglo (68') sealed the victory within minutes.

With their advancement to the third qualifying round, Sturm has simultaneously secured at least a spot in the UEFA Europa League league phase. In the third Champions League qualifying round, they now await either Turkish vice-champions Fenerbahce Istanbul or Polish representatives Gornik Zabrze.

Scots Start Bravely

In pouring rain, the hosts had the better start and put Sturm under early pressure. After just nine minutes, Claudio Braga got his head to a free-kick, but it went just wide of the goal.

The Scots remained dominant, repeatedly combining dangerously in Graz's half. Blair Spittal's long-range shot was blocked at the last moment (15').

As the game progressed, however, the Graz side freed themselves from the pressure – and missed several clear-cut opportunities.

Schwolow Prevents Graz Lead

Out of nowhere, Szymon Wlodarczyk suddenly appeared alone in front of Alexander Schwolow after a long clearance, but failed to beat the German goalkeeper (16').

Just a few minutes later, Jacob Peter Hödl set up Seedy Jatta, whose shot hit the side netting (24'). Shortly after, Schwolow made strong saves again in a double chance, first against Jatta and then also against Wlodarczyk (25').

The supposed opening goal eventually came: Simon Seidl squared the ball to Jatta after a strong pass from Emran Soglo, leaving him with a tap-in. However, after VAR review, the goal was disallowed because Jatta allegedly fouled an opponent in the build-up – a rather flattering decision for the hosts (28').

Even after that, Sturm remained dangerous, but Gorenc Stankovic (40') and Hödl (43') failed to beat Schwolow. Thus, despite a clear superiority in chances for Graz, it remained goalless at halftime.

Seidl Breaks the Deadlock

After the change of ends, Sturm remained the more dangerous team. First, Schwolow made a strong save from a free-kick, almost preventing an own goal by his teammates (52'), before Wlodarczyk cleared a Scottish header off the goal line at the other end (63').

Just one minute later, the long-deserved lead finally came. After a long clearance from Daniil Khudyakov, Jon Gorenc Stankovic ideally headed the ball on to Simon Seidl, who wonderfully netted it into the far corner with a half-volley (64').

Soglo Seals the Deal

The Graz side immediately followed up. Soglo initiated the attack himself, received the ball back after a combination involving Hödl and Wlodarczyk, and with a bit of luck, scored past Alexander Schwolow to make it 2-0 (68').

In the final phase, Hearts still tried to get at least a consolation goal, but found no solutions against the stable Graz defense. The best opportunity was missed by substitute Amadou Ba-Sy, who sent a cross well over the goal (82').

Sturm then confidently saw out the unchallenged victory and continued their impressive European Cup run: For the sixth time in a row, the Graz side has secured at least a spot in the Europa League league phase.

Sturm will start their new Bundesliga season with an away match against WSG Tirol already on Saturday. Next week, they will then take on Fenerbahce Istanbul or Gornik Zabrze in the third Champions League qualifying round for the next step towards the premier class.