2-2 draw against Sturm secures spot in the UWCL qualifiers

In the third ADMIRAL Women's Bundesliga Champions Group clash between Sturm Graz and Austria Wien, the Violets were only able to take home one point despite an intense and hard-fought match. The two violet goals were scored by Maria Olsen and Kathi Schiechtl. Austria secured second place in the table with the 2-2 draw and thus their place in the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifiers.

Both teams started the match with a lot of pressure. Austria goalkeeper Larissa Haidner had to save Graz's first shot as early as the third minute. However, the visitors were also dangerous: Dominique Bruinenberg gave the Violets their first goal in the 5th minute. The cold shower for Graz followed just a short time later: Maria Olsen gave Austria Wien the lead with a long-range shot (7').

Sturm tried to react immediately, but Haidner was again on the alert in the Vienna goal (9). After a corner kick in the 11th minute, things got dicey again in front of the hosts' goal: Carina Wenninger brought the ball dangerously in front of goal, but the black and white defence cleared at the last second.

Sturm push for an equaliser

As the game progressed, the Graz team got into the game better and better and pushed for an equaliser, but were repeatedly thwarted by the strong Haidner or the stable violet defence. After half an hour, the game was largely levelled out, with clear chances remaining scarce for both sides. In the 36th minute, the Violets were once again dangerous in front of goal, but Louise Schöffel's cross landed directly into the arms of the Graz goalkeeper. Austria Vienna went into the half-time break with a narrow 1-0 lead.

The second half also got off to a strong start for the Black & Whites, with Sturm earning several corner kicks. The home side's attacking efforts were finally rewarded in the 50th minute when they equalised from a corner kick to make it 1-1.

Kathie Schiechtl scores after a corner

Austria responded promptly and remained dangerous in attack: A long-range shot from Wenninger just missed the goal in the 56th minute. Ten minutes later, the Violets struck again: After a corner kick from Olsen, Kathi Schiechtl bent the ball into the net for a 2-1 lead (66').

Sturm Graz pressed for another equaliser. In the 81st minute, Yvonne Weilharter set the ball up nicely for Verena Volkmer, but the black and white defence fended off the shot on goal. Anna Schorn's subsequent shot was also unsuccessful (81').

UWCL qualification spot secured

An open game developed in the final phase. Both teams had chances, with Haidner making another strong save (82'). In stoppage time, Sturm Graz finally equalised late on from a corner to make it 2-2 (90+1').

Although the Violets were unable to take home the three points they had hoped for, there was still reason to cheer: the point secured second place in the table and with it participation in next season's UEFA Women's Champions League qualifiers.

Sturm Graz - Austria Wien 2-2 (0-1)

Austria: Haidner - Wenninger, Schiechtl, Kirchberger - Bruinenberg (Schneeberger 77'), Pavlović - Schöffel, Olsen (Schorn 77'), Weilharter - Volkmer ©, Triendl (Ziletkina 90+1')

Goals Austria: Olsen (7'), Schiechtl (66')

Yellow card: Wirnsberger (68.)

Merkur Arena, 400 fans, referee Nedim Hrvacic