European Cup journey ends in the quarter-finals

In the quarter-final second leg of the European Cup, the Violets welcomed Sparta Prague to the Franz Horr Stadium after a 0-0 draw in the first leg. Despite a great fight and a historic international journey, Austria ultimately had to admit defeat, losing 1-3 after extra time. Lotta Cordes scored the Violets' goal in regular time.

The visitors from Prague started the match strongly and put the Viennese under pressure early on. In the second minute, a Czech player fought her way forward, but Carina Wenninger cleared decisively. As the first half progressed, the Violets found their way into the game: Dominiká Škorvánková drove the ball forward and passed to Lena Triendl (5th minute), and shortly afterwards Katharina Schiechtl had the first good chance in the Prague penalty area (9th minute), but her shot was saved.

First half with several chances, but no goals

In an intense phase for both sides, goalkeeper Jasmin Pal increasingly took centre stage. She made several strong saves (15th, 23rd, 30th, 45th) and kept her team in the game. At the other end, Louise Schöffel caused danger with an energetic sprint (13th), a dangerous free kick from Modesta Uka (28th) and a perfect cross from Triendl to Tatjana Weiss (27th). Triendl herself had the best chance before the break: she rounded the goalkeeper and crossed to Škorvánková, but she was decisively disrupted as she shot at the empty goal (45'). The teams went into the break goalless.

Equaliser within two minutes

The game remained competitive after the break. Two corner kicks for the Violets shortly after the restart came to nothing, as did a free kick from Uka and a follow-up shot from Louise Schöffel (60') and another attempt from Lotta Cordes after a corner (68'). Then, in the 70th minute, came the setback: Prague took the lead with a well-placed shot – Pal stretched in vain.

But the Violets showed morale. Just two minutes later, Cordes equalised to make it 1-1 (72') after a Uka corner, sending the Franz Horr Stadium into raptures. In the final phase and injury time, Austria pushed for the winner – Triendl (75th, 90+1), Almedina Šišić and Yvonne Weilharter all had chances, while Pal and the defence cleared a late Prague corner (90+3). In extra time, the bar initially saved the day for the Viennese (91'), before Sparta took the lead again after a corner (98'). Shortly before the break in extra time, the visitors increased their lead to 3-1 (105+1') after breaking through the purple defence.

Violets still achieve historic success

Despite further efforts – including from Šišić (106') and Weilharter (110') – no further goals were scored. This brings the Violets' international journey to an end in the quarter-finals.

Even though the second leg was ultimately lost, Austria Vienna made history: reaching the European Cup quarter-finals and surviving several international rounds marks a milestone for the Violets. The Violets impressed – and can look back with pride on an extraordinary season!

Austria Wien - Sparta Praha 1-3 a.e.t. (1-1, 1-1)

Austria: Pal – Wenninger (Pucci 106'), Schiechtl, Kirchberger – Schöffel (Schorn 114'), Weiss (Schneeberger 106'), Cordes, Weilharter – Škorvánková (Strode 63'), Uka (Šišić 90+3'), Triendl (Pfattner 91.)

Goals: Cordes 72., Stárová 70., Bergford 98., Khýrová 105+1.

Franz Horr Stadium, 1,882 fans, referee Catarina Campos