This was the third meeting between the two arch rivals in a shorter period of time. In the autumn of 2022 and 2023, the black and whites won the cup round of 16 with 1-0 and 3-2. On Saturday, the two teams met as Bundesliga teams for the first time since May 17, 2007. At that time, a goal from Mario Haas decided the duel 1-0 for Sturm.
Photo series with 15 pictures
Sturm controlled the game from the start, had 70 percent possession of the ball and clearly put city rivals GAK in their place with 5:2. Jusuf Gazibegovic scored the goals for Sturm in the 34th minute, Otar Kiteishvili in the 40th and 79th minutes, Mika Biereth in the 50th minute and Seedy Jatta in the 64th minute. The GAK scored two goals within two minutes in the second half of the game, reducing the score to 3-2. Daniel Maderner in the 54th and Benjamin Rosenberger in the 56th minute were the Reds’ goal scorers.
Surveillance and incitement cameras were destroyed
After the recent riots, the stadium administration and executive wanted to be prepared accordingly. Hard-to-break glass walls were installed in the arena and a mobile fence was also installed for the first time. According to their own information, the police had hundreds of officers on duty. On Saturday evening, GAK fans met for a fan march towards the Merkur Arena. Along with police presence. A protective zone was also set up in front of the stadium itself.
According to the spokesman for the Styrian State Police Department, Markus Lamb, there were some initial riots in the afternoon. “The police had to intervene to defuse the situation and some property was initially damaged. When GAK fans marched into the Merkur Arena, pyrotechnics were used, but there was also encouragement from Sturm fans,” said Lamb. According to the police spokesman, surveillance cameras in the stadium were also damaged: “It seems that some people are concerned that the police are able to investigate the riots at the Derby Cup a year ago,” said Lamb.
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Graz Derby becomes a high risk game
The Bengal fire affected the game
The game had to be interrupted briefly now and again, which is why there were nine minutes of extra time in the second half. During the match, Sturm and GAK fans repeatedly lit Bengali beacons. This could have consequences for Sturm from the criminal Senate of the Bundesliga, because it is forbidden to extinguish the beacons and fire of Bengal. The security of the organizing club, in this case Sturm Graz, is instructed to prevent what was not.
Sturm: “I hope fan camps will ensure a football festival”
The coaches and players refrained from verbal barbs before the emotionally charged game. “Hopefully a decision will be made about the pitch and both camps will guarantee a football festival for fans. One for the fan groups and families,” said Sturm coach Christian llzer. For the first time under Ilzer, Sturm had home advantage against their city rivals. This is particularly relevant for ticket distribution. At 3,800, about a quarter of the contingents went to GAK fans.
Fan atmosphere before the derby city of Graz
Ilzer tried to get his numerous national players back on track in two training sessions. It is up to his team to “quickly resume the flow from the Salzburg game,” the coach said before the starting signal for the next tough block. There are seven games in three weeks, including the third Champions League game against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.
Both clubs were missing key players
With Jon Gorenc Stankovic and Gregory Wüthrich (both Sturm) and Petar Filipovic and Markus Rusek (GAK), prominent players were missing on both sides. According to Ilzer, the GAK “has so far been beaten below its value”. The master coach said that it doesn’t matter at all if the first person beats the last person in a derby.
As in 2022, Graz referee Alexander Harkam presided over the dance. Despite his promotion, Ilzer was angry at the time. “I am very concerned that a Styrian referee should not referee the Derby again.” Sturm’s coach did not want to comment much on Harkam’s new appointment. “I have no time or space in my head to deal with the referee as a person.”
Another suspect was identified
Although the first Graz city derby in the Bundesliga for 17 years has been defeated, the criminal police investigations are still ongoing after the riots at the city derby 199 as part of the ÖFB Cup about a year ago. The Graz public prosecutor’s office is currently investigating an indictment related to allegations of hate speech being spread online by bullies before the match. And there was already a criminal success in the infamous mob attack on the GAK mobile fan shop. Investigators recently investigated a 34-year-old man from Graz and a 36-year-old Bosnian from Graz.
Both are suspected of being actively involved in the joint attack on the western plateau of the stadium. The 36-year-old is also accused of repeatedly kicking a fan of his city rival and fleeing with stolen fan merchandise. Both suspects did not confess or refused to provide information. The men are reported to the Graz public prosecutor’s office on criminal suspicion of serious communal violence. The investigation continues.