Second League

Sturm Graz II ends horror series

The second team of Sturm Graz has ended its winless streak after twelve games.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Sturm Graz's second team ended their winless streak after twelve games and showed a sign of life in the fight to stay in the 2nd division. The team from Graz defeated SV Horn 2:1 (1:1) in Gleisdorf on Sunday morning and increased the gap to bottom club SKU Amstetten to six points. The Lower Austrians were held to a 2-2 (0-0) draw at SV Lafnitz.

In the relegation battle, both stragglers are hoping that the number of league admissions for the coming season will not increase. For the time being, league rivals DSV Leoben, SV Stripfing and FC Dornbirn have not been granted permission to play for 2024/25. However, the trio want to make improvements and are going to the second instance. Not all promotion candidates from the regional leagues have received a second league permit either.

First league win since the beginning of October
Sturm II improved their chances with their first league win since October 7. Benjamin Mulahalilovic put Horn ahead with a penalty (12'), striker hopeful Leon Grgic equalized before the break (31'). Antonio Ilic made the difference in the closing stages. The 18-year-old was somewhat fortunate to get hold of the ball in the penalty area and slotted the ball into the far corner (83').

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Amstetten were the more active team in Lafnitz, but were only rewarded with a point after three consecutive defeats. Philipp Offenthaler headed the Lower Austrians into the lead (55'), goals from Ivan Mihaljevic (70') and Benjamin Nyarko (86') turned the game around. A long-range shot from Leon Fust rescued a draw for the bottom club (90'). SKU are 15 points off a non-relegation place with seven rounds to go. Friday sees a direct clash with Sturm II in Amstetten.