In an excellent first half showing, Rapid passed up a succession of presentable chances. Nikica Jelavic twice had good opportunites, the first thwarted by a good save, the latter by last gasp defending. A low goal bound Drazan drive from the edge of the box again stung Gratzei´s hands in the home goal before Boskovic spurned the chance of the half. The midfielder found himself baring down on goal right on the stroke of half time. His would be cheaky chip proved to be anything but as the ball drifted harmlessly wide of the upright.The hosts, complete spectators for the entire first half, woke up at the start of the second. Helge Payer twice denied Graz in the opening stages before the killer blow was struck. A simple throw on caught the Rapid backline high up the pitch and square, one touch taking the whole team out of play. Sturm's Hölzl broke and squared the ball to an unmarked Daniel Beichler to tap into an unguarded net.Pacult sent on Salihi and Konrad to try and salvage a point and it was the former that came closest, his injury time spin and finish chalked off for a debateable offside. There was still time for Jelavic to see red, arguing with the referee over the disallowed goal.It was a disappointing result after a good performance from the Hütteldorfers, Sturm only really found themselves in the game for 20 minutes at the start of the second half. Pacult's men now head to Tel Aviv for their European tie knowing a similiar performance on Thursday will surely yield greater reward.Sturm Graz - SK Rapid 1:0 (0:0)Graz, UPC-Arena, 15.323, Ref. SchörgenhoferGoal: 1:0 (56.) BeichlerSK Sturm: Gratzei - Ehrenreich, Schildenfeld, Sonnleitner, Kandelaki - Hölzl (87. Bukva), Hlinka, M. Weber, Jantscher (78. Prettenthaler) - Muratovic, Beichler (92. Feldhofer)Rapid: Payer - Dober, Soma, Patocka, Katzer - Hofmann, Heikkinen (11. Kulovits), Boskovic (78. Konrad), Pehlivan, Drazan (63. Salihi) - JelavicYellow Cards: Beichler, Prettenthaler, Schildenfeld bzw. Kulovits, Dober, Pehlivan, Hofmann, KonradY/R: Jelavic (94.)Game Stats(gw)