Sturm Graz, the Austrian team that Club Brugge will face on Wednesday, won 1-2 at the BW Linz field last weekend.
The Austrians took the lead early in the first half. Yalcouyé laid on from just outside the sixteen in the 18th minute, but the ball splashed up on the goalpost. Biereth followed well and was able to work the rebound past goalkeeper Lukse - 0-1 for the visitors.
In the first half, the home team managed to get back on level terms. In the 33rd minute, Anderson crossed the ball and Pirkl tried to work the ball past the goalkeeper in one time, but Scherpen was not in the right place, allowing Gioginger to tap in the 1-1 in an empty goal from close range.
Just after halftime, the first real goal threat came from BW Linz. Anderson painted the ball onto Ronivaldo's head, but goalkeeper Scherpen was close at the fingertips. In the 69thminute, the ball went on the dot after a foul on Kiteisjvili. He himself converted the penalty, bringing Sturm Graz back into the lead.
Scherpen had to save the furniture a few more times in the absolute final minutes of the match. He whipped a Ronivaldo header out of his goal from close range and a few moments later was able to keep the same Ronivaldo from the equalizer with an excellent reflex. In the end, Sturm Graz won the game 1-2.
Currently, Sturm Graz leads the Austrian Bundesliga with 16 points from eight games. First chaser with 15 points is Rapid Wien.
Sturm Graz: Scherpen, Johnston (84' Geyrhofer), Aiwu, Lavalée, Gazibegovic, Gorenc Stankovic (46' Chukwuani), Yalcouyé (72' Zvonarek), Horvat, Bøving (58' Kiteisjvili), Camara ('58 Yardımcı), Biereth.
Goals: 18' Biereth (0-1), 33' Gioginger (1-1), 69' Kiteisjvili (1-2).