On Sunday, SK Sturm Graz secured the fourth championship in the club’s history. Wühtrich and Camara redeemed the Ilzer eleven against Austria Klagenfurt in the second half
Sturm Graz have been crowned champions of the Bundesliga in a dramatic season finale. In a heart-stopping final on Sunday, the Styrians deservedly beat Austria Klagenfurt 2:0 (0:0) in the last round, knocking serial champions Salzburg off the throne after ten titles in a row. It was the fourth league title in the club’s history for Graz, who won the Cup for the first time in 25 years and the double for the second time in total
In a patient game full of Sturm chances, central defender Wüthrich redeemed the 15,325 fans in Graz-Liebenau in the 69th minute with a header from a corner kick. Shortly before the end, “Joker” Camara (90′) secured the three points. Successful coach Ilzer’s team secured their first league title in 13 years with a two-point lead and a lucrative Champions League place. Even a 7:1 win against LASK was not enough for Salzburg.
Affengruber had to watch the thrilling title fight from the stands due to muscular problems in his hip flexor, with Lavale starting in central defense in his place. Ilzer compensated for the yellow card suspension of midfielder Kiteishvili with a concentrated attacking approach, with Biereth and Jatta in a 4-1-2-1-2 system and Böving in the midfield diamond. An hour before kick-off, the Sturm were cheered on frenetically by the fans in the arena, which had been sold out for weeks. “Get the double and become legends”, demanded the supporters of the “Blackies”, who now number 15,000 club members.
Sturm gets off to a strong start – and drops off sharply
It took five minutes for the Ilzer eleven to become dangerous for the first time. After a long corner kick, Gazibegovic volleyed straight at goal from 18 meters, but Klagenfurt goalkeeper Menzel made the save. While Salzburg quickly took a two-goal lead in the long-range duel, Graz kept entering the danger zone with fast-paced soccer. However, shots from Schnegg (16) and Horvat (20) were blocked or went wide.
At the other end, Sturm goalkeeper Jaros had no problems with a roller from Soto (23′). A direct free-kick by Arweiler (28′) from around 18 meters flew over the goal. The Carinthians, who had to make do without the suspended Irving, got into the game better and better and relied on quick transition play. Pacult’s team made life difficult for the cup winners, and it became a game of patience for Graz, who were often too imprecise in the final third.
In the 37th minute, the hapless Jatta had to leave the pitch due to injury. Shortly afterwards, Arweiler fired volleyed over from a good position (39′). The second great chance for Graz came from Biereth, who created space for himself artistically after a long throw-in, but then missed completely (42′). Exactly 22 seconds after the restart, Prass put an effort from the edge of the box just wide of the left upright
Wüthrich redeems Sturm
With the knowledge that they had to score a goal and loudly cheered on by the fans, the hosts pressed for redemption. It almost happened in the 48th minute, but Horvat failed to put a Stangl pass into the net, and Böving was denied by the foot of the brilliantly reacting Menzel a few seconds later. A Biereth header (60′) following a corner missed the target, as did a Horvat shot from distance (62′).
In minute 69, there was ecstasy in the stadium. Wüthrich rose high to meet a Horvat corner and headed home to give Menzel the lead. The majority of the Sturm fans watched the final phase standing and saw how Pacult’s team tried to equalize. And it came close once again after a header from “Joker” Jaritz hit the bar (84′) and a Besuschkow shot missed the target (89′). Shortly afterwards, Camara kept his cool on a counter-attack to seal the title
