But Kogler couldn’t shake off one big problem at the club he loves: the stadium. A good 15,000 spectators can join, which would mean that it would be filled by the visit of every member of the club. It’s also technically outdated and doesn’t have many VIP seats. He was not sanctioned by the European Football Association (UEFA) for the Champions League.
Sturm must move to the Carinthian capital Klagenfurt for his home games to avoid having to move to the hated Vienna. The communist mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr, met with a sharp reaction to requests for a new building. Kogler offered to act as mediator. But the government was voted out in the fall and it is unlikely that the Greens will make it into a future coalition.
The decision was announced at the beginning of October: The “Blacks” from SK Sturm and the “Reds” from Grazer AK must continue to share the current arena in Graz-Liebenau, which is to be expanded to 20,000 spectators and modernized. Then – whenever – the Champions League should also be played there.
None of this applies for the next Champions League match, as it takes place this Tuesday (9pm in the FAZ Champions League live ticket and on DAZN) in Westfalenstadion Dortmund. A new experience for the people of Graz who will be playing in front of 80,000 instead of 15,000 spectators. But Borussia should not prepare for a humble opponent if they do not want to receive an unpleasant surprise.
Sports club Sturm Graz is not one of the established teams in the Champions League. But a quarter of a century ago, the club from the Styrian capital was already involved in the Champions League for three seasons. In 2000/01, the team led by captain Ivica Vastic even beat Galatasaray, Monaco and Glasgow Rangers in the preliminary round
Graz pushing Salzburg off the throne
Borussia Dortmund and SK Sturm were founded in 1909. Even the ups and downs that, after golden years, caused the economic abyss: Sturm had to file for bankruptcy in 2006, they were able to recover. A German was also involved in this: Franco Foda, who would also coach the Austrian national team. Last season, the “Schwoazen” succeeded in overthrowing the champions of the Salzburg league, sponsored by the Red Bull drink company, after ten consecutive championships. In addition, the Graz team won the cup again as defending champions.
However, a return to the Champions League failed. There were wins against the French surprise team the previous season, Stade Brest, as well as against FC Brugge and more recently against Sporting Lisbon. The pattern was the same in all three encounters: Sturm was at least equal in terms of opponents, the team was able to set flavors in terms of play, and the opponents were better in terms of intensity.
After all, the club’s management managed to keep the Championship side largely together after last season. Only Alexander Prass was allowed to move to Hoffenheim. But players have already been sold profitably and managed to make up for it. Therefore, the most painful departure could be one off the field: at the beginning of October, sporting director Andreas Schicker also moved to Hoffenheim.
Storm with “Georgian Messi”
Otar Kiteishvili, who is celebrated in Styria as the “Georgian Messi”, has been directing Graz’s game for many years. Captain Stefan Hierländer should be watching his back. Steadfast runners like Jusuf Gazibegovic are making a splash on the wings. At the front, Dane Mika Biereth, who is quite cunning despite his young age of 21, is in top form. When Graz beat Salzburg 5-0 on 6 October, Biereth scored three goals.
In the domestic Bundesliga, SK Sturm are leaders, unbeaten since September. After the march against Salzburg, they scored five times against local rivals Grazer AK and eventually won 5-2. The Graz “Reds” completed the success of Styrian football in the summer and (after bankruptcy and a fresh start from the bottom division) were promoted back to the upper house as champions of the second division.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to our special feature on football. Today, we’re diving into the current situation of SK Sturm Graz, a club that is not new to the Champions League but faces significant challenges today. Joining us is Dr. Alexander Müller, a sports management expert with deep insights into Austrian football. Welcome, Dr. Müller!
Dr. Müller: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to discuss Sturm Graz and the broader implications for football in Austria.
Editor: Let’s start with the elephant in the room: the stadium situation. Kogler, a notable figure at the club, has been vocal about the need for a modern facility. Can you elaborate on why this is such a pressing issue for Sturm Graz?
Dr. Müller: Absolutely. The current stadium in Graz can only accommodate around 15,000 spectators, which is quite limiting, especially when competing at the level of Champions League football, where larger crowds are common. Kogler’s hope was to push for a new stadium or significant renovations. The fact that the club has been forced to share their arena with Grazer AK just adds to the urgency—it’s a temporary fix that doesn’t address the long-term viability needed for higher competition and revenue generation.
Editor: Right, and to avoid moving to Vienna, they’ve opted to play in Klagenfurt. That must have its own set of challenges, especially with fan engagement and logistics.
Dr. Müller: Yes, indeed. Playing in Klagenfurt might offset some issues, but it also distances the club from its core fanbase in Graz. Attendance could be affected, impacting the club’s atmosphere, which is crucial in high-stakes matches. Plus, with a newly reduced capacity, every match becomes essential to demonstrate their place in the league—and the Champions League.
Editor: And speaking of the Champions League, their upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund at Westfalenstadion is quite a leap. What impact will playing in front of 80,000 spectators have on the team?
Dr. Müller: It’s an incredible opportunity and a daunting challenge. For many players, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—going from a small crowd to one of Europe’s largest stadiums. While it can be intimidating, if Sturm Graz approaches the game with confidence, they might just surprise Dortmund. Historically, the club has had clutch performances in the past, like defeating Galatasaray and Glasgow Rangers in the early 2000s.
Editor: That’s an interesting point. There’s a rich history behind this club despite facing setbacks, like the bankruptcy back in 2006. Do you think the current team can draw on that legacy to inspire their performance?
Dr. Müller: Certainly. Football is as much about legacy and mentality as it is about tactics. The triumph over adversity can forge a stronger team bond. Their recent success in dethroning Salzburg, who dominated the league for a decade, speaks volumes about their resilience and motivation. They must draw on that spirit as they face tougher European challenges.
Editor: how do you see the future of SK Sturm Graz? Is there hope for a revitalization, particularly concerning their infrastructure?
Dr. Müller: The road ahead will be tough. The budget constraints and political responses to Kogler’s proposals for a new stadium have created a bottleneck. However, there is potential for the club. If they can maintain or improve their on-pitch fortunes and foster strong community support, they might garner more backing from sponsors and fans, which is crucial for infrastructure investment. It may take time, but there is hope.
Editor: It sounds like a pivotal moment for SK Sturm Graz, filled with both challenges and opportunities. Thank you, Dr. Müller, for your insights today!
Dr. Müller: Thank you for having me! Let’s hope to see Sturm Graz make their mark on both national and European stages.
Editor: And to our readers, stay tuned for more updates on football and other sports stories.