Sturm Graz hosts
NK Siroki Brijeg in the second qualifying round of
UEFA Europa League (Thursday, 16.7.2009, 7:15 pm CET). The Austrian club Sturm Graz plays the first leg at home.
Sturm Graz finished the national football-championship 2008-09 on rank 4 and qualified for UEFA Europa League, because Austria Wien (3rd placed team) qualified as Austrian cup-winner directly. Sturm Graz counts as very home-strong and has lost in the 2008-09 season only 1 of 18 league home matches (11 wins, 6 draws, 1 defeat – goal difference 38:12). In the last test match they reached a 0-0 draw against German cup-winner Werder Bremen.
The Bosnian club NK Siroki Brijeg finished the season 2008/09 of their national football-championship only on rank 6. However, better placed clubs Sloboda Tuzla and Borac Banja Luka could not fulfil the UEFA criteria, so Brijeg moved up and can start in the UEFA Europa League. In the first qualifying round Brijeg eliminated Banants Eriwan with a 2-1 aggregate win (2-0 win away, 0-1 defeat at home). Mario Bazina who played in Austria for GAK, Rapid and Austria returned this year to Siroki Brijeg and should take over the position of the sports manager.
Data:
Sturm Graz vs. NK Siroki Brijeg
Fixture: Thursday, 16.7.2009, 7:15 pm CET
Stadium: Graz, UPC Arena
Referee: Mauro Bergonzi (Italy)
Tip: Sturm Graz wins the first leg
our tip is 1
the highest odd is on mybet, odd 1.40
