Vienna turn it around: Sturm miss chance to go top

Round 13 of the ADMIRAL Frauen Bundesliga kicked off with the clash between SK Sturm Graz and First Vienna FC in Messendorf. The Graz side suffered a 2-3 defeat, marking a major setback in their title challenge.

Denied three times by the woodwork

The hosts started the game dominantly as usual and had several chances to take the lead in the opening stages. Both Sara Pavlovic and Brigitta Pulins were denied by the woodwork.

However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring. Out of nowhere, Vienna pushed into the box, where Leonie Gebert beat Sturm goalkeeper Vanessa Gritzner from the left with a well-placed curler into the far corner (12').

Shortly after, Pulins hit the post once more. It was the third time Sturm struck the woodwork inside 20 minutes.

After nearly half an hour, Laura Krumböck provided a well-deserved equalizer. The Sturm forward was set up perfectly by Pulins in the penalty area and calmly slotted home from close range to make it 1-1 (29'). In the minutes leading up to halftime, both sides threatened primarily on quick transitions.

Vienna quick-fire double leaves Sturm stunned

The hosts seized control again after the break, forcing Vienna keeper Vivien Grabenhofer into action several times. In the 56th minute, however, the U19 international was beaten once more. Again, it was Krumböck, who found herself completely unmarked in the box and fired an unstoppable strike into the bottom-left corner.

Vienna's response was not long in coming, however. Karla Kurkutovic netted her sixth goal of the season after the ball rolled across the penalty area to her feet, leaving her with a simple tap-in right in front of the goal line (67'). Just minutes later, the visitors turned the match around. Substitute Ines Sarac picked out Maja Keckeis in the center, who restored Vienna's lead (72').

The game had been turned on its head in a matter of minutes. The hosts pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, but Vienna's defense stood firm. In the end, Vienna celebrated a surprising 3-2 away victory.

Sturm drop crucial points

The Graz side lost ground in the title race to SKN St. Pölten. The "She-Wolves" host LASK on Saturday afternoon, giving them the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to five points.

Despite the surprise victory, Vienna remain in sixth place, but are knocking on the door once again in the battle for the championship play-offs.