NEWS
Sturm Women Advance to Second European Cup Qualification Round
The Styrian team defeats the record champions from Lithuania in the second leg as well.
A successful day for Sturm Graz Women in the European Cup qualification!
The Graz team wins the 1st qualification round of the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup against Lithuanian record champions FC Gintra in a high-scoring match with a final score of 5:3. Following their 2:1 first-leg victory, Sturm thus advances to the 2nd and final qualification round.
Eventful Start
From an Austrian perspective, the match began perfectly: Pulins put the Graz team ahead with a powerful shot following a corner (3').
However, the hosts struck back almost immediately: After a defensive error, the play developed quickly, and Pereviznyk remained composed in front of goalkeeper Dübel (7'). Just one minute later, Gintra turned the game around. Mideva rounded Dübel after a through pass and slotted the ball into the empty net.
But that wasn't enough, as after just a quarter of an hour, it was already 3:1. Pereviznyk became a two-goal scorer with a spectacular goal. Almost from a standstill, she struck into the top left corner. The ball ricocheted off the underside of the crossbar into the net.
Five Goals After Half an Hour
After a brief period of calm, Sturm managed to reduce the deficit: Sipos was found with a high through ball on the left wing. The Hungarian opted to shoot herself and drilled the ball low into the far corner (27').
And just as quickly as the Styrian team fell behind, they equalized again. Full-back Spieß broke through on the right and delivered a low cross into the centre, which Yancey cleared into her own net (33').
Shortly before the half-time whistle, Sturm even managed to turn the game around: Gintra's goalkeeper Herasymchuk blocked a cross, but the ball ricocheted directly off Pulins' legs. From there, the ball rolled into the net (45'+2).
Decided from the Spot
In the second half, the Styrians picked up where they left off towards the end of the first half. Pulins took responsibility from the spot and scored her third goal of the day (54').
After that, the game significantly quieted down, and Sturm confidently saw out their lead. In the end, it remained a clear 5:3 away victory.
Who Sturm Graz will face in the second round is still unclear. The draw will take place on September 4th.
