Austria Wien advances to the Europa Cup round of 16!

In front of their home crowd, the Violets put in an impressive performance and managed to turn the tide against Slavia Prague. After losing 1-2 in the first leg, Austria had to make up for lost ground – and did so with passion, fighting spirit, and nerves of steel. In the end, they prevailed 5-3 in a penalty shootout and advanced to the round of 16 of the UEFA Women's Europa Cup!

The visitors from Prague started the match strongly, pushing the home side back into their own half in the opening minutes. But after just a few minutes, the tide turned: in the 6th minute, Lena Triendl broke through strongly on the right and played a perfect pass to Louise Schöffel, whose sharp cross was deflected into her own goal by a Czech defender – 1-0 to Austria Vienna!

After that, the game developed into an evenly balanced affair with few clear chances at either end. Jasmin Pal confidently parried a Czech shot (21st minute), while Yvonne Weilharter tested the opposing goalkeeper with a long-range shot (25th minute). Shortly before half-time, goalkeeper Pal was stopped abruptly after a hard foul – the Czech players were shown yellow cards. The teams went into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead and an aggregate score of 2-2.

Schiechtl scores, excitement until the end

The Violets came out of the break determined. Shortly after the restart, Schöffel combined with Tatjana Weiss, but her shot was too weak and was saved by the opposing goalkeeper (48'). Austria then had a string of chances: Triendl failed to beat the opposing keeper with a powerful shot (56'), and shortly afterwards Schöffel was unlucky with a deflected attempt (58').

Their patience was finally rewarded: after a corner from Elisa Pfattner in the 76th minute, the ball hit the crossbar following a header, but Schiechtl was in the right place at the right time and headed in the rebound to make it 2-0 – the final score: 3-2 to Austria Vienna!

But Slavia did not give up. In the 87th minute, the visitors took advantage of a free kick and scored the 2-1 goal, which levelled the match again (3-3 overall score). Despite a last chance by Pfattner and Sara Pavlović in injury time (90+3'), the score remained tied – extra time!

Extra time remains goalless

The Czech women took the initiative at first, but the purple defence around Schiechtl, Kirchberger and Wenninger stood firm. Schöffel (97') and later Schiechtl with a shot off the crossbar (104') almost sealed the deal. At the other end, Pal remained confident. After 120 hard-fought minutes, it was clear that this duel would have to be decided from the spot.

Thrilling penalty shoot-out 

Strode, Weilharter and Wenninger scored confidently, but their opponents also put the first balls in the net. It was only after Šišić converted her penalty that the next opponent took her position and missed. Now it was up to Modesta Uka to seal the game: she took her shot and scored confidently. Austria thus caused a sensation and, after a 5-3 penalty shootout, advanced to the round of 16 of the UEFA Women's Europa Cup. An evening full of passion, great fighting spirit and emotions, which was ultimately rewarded!

Austria Wien - Slavia Prague 5-3 on penalties (2-1, 1-0)

Austria: Pal – Wenninger, Schiechtl, Kirchberger - Cordes (Pavlović 86.), Weiss - Schöffel, Pfattner (Šišić 116.), Triendl (Uka 86.), Weilharter - Agerholm (Strode 75.)

Goals: Polcarova (6., own goal), Schiechtl (76.); Crckova (87.)

Yellow card (Austria): Wenninger (85.)

Franz Horr Stadium, 1,036 spectators, referee Nanna Andersen