2 – 4
“Albert Vallci put Sturm Graz ahead inside two minutes, catching Hartberg cold and setting an aggressive tone from the very first moments of the match.”
Pivotal“Benjamin Markus deflected the ball into his own net to restore Sturm's lead just five minutes after Hartberg had levelled, a cruel blow for the hosts that shifted the match's momentum decisively.”
Pivotal“Otar Kiteishvili made it 3-1 just sixteen minutes after the own goal, effectively ending the contest as a competitive fixture before the half-hour mark and giving Sturm a cushion no second-half fightback could realistically overcome.”
Pivotal“Lukas Fridrikas converted from the penalty spot to pull it back to 2-3, handing Hartberg a lifeline and briefly threatening to set up a tense finale with over thirty minutes remaining.”
“Substitute Luca Weinhandl, making an impact off the bench, struck the fourth goal to kill any lingering Hartberg hopes and seal a thoroughly professional away win for Sturm Graz.”
Pivotal
Hartberg
Sturm Graz
Outstanding performance
Sturm Graz•DefenderSturm Graz made their title credentials clear with a commanding 4-2 victory at Hartberg, a result built almost entirely on a devastating 25-minute spell that left the hosts chasing shadows. Albert Vallci headed Sturm in front inside two minutes, and though Luca Pazourek equalised quickly for Hartberg, a Benjamin Markus own goal and Otar Kiteishvili's composed finish put the visitors 3-1 up before the half-hour mark. Hartberg's 55 percent possession tells only part of the story — they were efficient in retaining the ball but rarely converted that control into genuine menace, managing just one big chance compared to Sturm's two, while Sturm's 26 shots underscored their consistent attacking intent. Lukas Fridrikas' penalty on 56 minutes gave Hartberg brief hope at 2-3, but Luca Weinhandl, introduced from the bench, put the result beyond doubt on 80 minutes, confirming a night where Sturm's directness and cutting edge proved far too much for a Hartberg side that simply could not defend the moments that mattered.
How entertaining was this match?
Jusuf Gazibegovic takes a right-footed shot but misses.
David Korherr takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
David Korherr takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Lukas Spendlhofer's right-footed shot is blocked.
Stefan Hierlander replaces Ryan Fosso.
Gizo Mamageishvili replaces Otar Kiteishvili.
Gizo Mamageishvili takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Luca WeinhandlLuca Weinhandl takes a right-footed shot and scores.
Luca Weinhandl takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jonas Karner comes on for Lukas Fridrikas.
Paul Komposch is substituted for Konstantin Schopp.
David Korherr is on, and Marco Hoffmann is off.
Jeyland Mitchell's header is saved.
Jacob Hodl takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Jacob Hodl takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jusuf Gazibegovic takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Lukas Spendlhofer is on, and Tobias Kainz is off.
Jusuf Gazibegovic takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Lukas Fridrikas takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Otar Kiteishvili takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Maurice Malone is on, and Seedy Jatta is off.
Luca Weinhandl replaces Axel Kayombo.
Paul Koller replaces Jon Gorenc Stankovic.
Lukas FridrikasLukas Fridrikas scores with a right-footed shot.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Lukas Fridrikas scores, making it 2 penalties for the team and 3 for the opponents.
Otar Kiteishvili takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Lukas Fridrikas takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Lukas Fridrikas takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Axel Kayombo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Konstantin Schopp takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Marco Hoffmann takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Damjan Kovacevic comes on for Maximilian Fillafer.
Otar Kiteishvili takes a left-footed shot but misses.
The first half ends with a score of 1-3.
Otar Kiteishvili takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Seedy Jatta's right-footed shot is blocked.
Marco Hoffmann takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Albert Vallci takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Ryan Fosso takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Seedy Jatta's right-footed shot is blocked.
Jeyland Mitchell takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Albert Vallci's header is saved.
Otar KiteishviliOtar Kiteishvili scores with a header.
Axel Kayombo's header is blocked.
Lukas Fridrikas takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Own goal by Benjamin Markus makes it 1-2.
Jurgen Heil's left-footed shot is saved.
Luca PazourekLuca Pazourek takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Albert Vallci attempts a header but misses the shot.
Albert VallciShot from Albert Vallci with a header results in a goal.
