Points shared against Sturm Graz

In the 12th round of the Admiral Women's Bundesliga, the first home game for the Violet women was on the programme. The Violets had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Sturm Graz despite numerous scoring chances and an unconverted goal. However, Austria are still without conceding a goal in the 2024 calendar year.

Head coach Stefan Kenesei made no changes to his starting line-up compared to the win in the cup semi-final against Altach/Vorderland. The first home game of 2024 welcomed the two teams with almost 28 degrees and sunshine.

Goalless first half

Austria were aggressive right from the start and had a good opportunity after just a few minutes following a corner kick (3'). The visitors were also wide awake; Laura Krumböck had the chance to take the lead with seven minutes left, goalkeeper Larissa Haidner spread herself well and Krumböck's shot missed the far corner. Sturm goalkeeper Mariella El Sheriff then had to intervene for the first time, after a cross from Lena Triendl, Verena Volkmer had the chance to take the lead, but her attempt was too easy (12').

An evenly-matched game developed. The Violets, centred around ÖFB team player Katharina Schiechtl, were compact defensively and tried to make pinpricks in attack, particularly down the flanks. It was Volkmer again after a corner, but her header missed the target (35'). Lea Mauly also had an opportunity worth mentioning with a header (42'), but the ball would not find its way into the goal. A heated first half, not least due to the summer temperatures, went into the break goalless.

Many chances, no goals

Both teams came out of the half without any changes. The second half began with a dominant Austria, who had the chance to take the lead immediately after the restart following a free-kick from Dominique Bruinenberg: Schiechtl got his head to the ball, but it sailed past the bar (47').

Austria became more dangerous and the goal was in the air. Volkmer took a shot from inside the penalty area, but the Graz goalkeeper was able to fish the ball out of the corner (63'). Austria's first change was to provide more momentum in attack, with Antea Batarilo coming on for Jacqueline Hajek (77').

"Believe in it" was heard again and again from captain Volkmer. There was little danger from the visitors and goalkeeper Haidner rarely had to intervene. Then it finally happened, the 1-0 through Schiechtl, but the referee team ruled it offside. The final offensive went unrewarded and the game ended goalless.

After the 0-0 draw against St. Pölten and the 4-0 win at Wacker Innsbruck, the Violet women also kept a clean sheet in their third Bundesliga match in the 2024 calendar year - as only Altach/Vorderland did.

Austria Vienna - Sturm Graz 0:0

Austria: Haidner - Schöffel, Schiechtl, Weilharter - Satra, Schneeberger, Mauly, Hajek (77' Batarilo) - Bruinenberg - Triendl, Volkmer

Yellow cards: Kenesei (90+1'); Kössler (10'), Kreutz (80')

Generali-Arena, 259 spectators:inside: Referee Linda Thieme