A much changed line up took to the field for Rapid: Patocka came in in place of the ill Soma, Trimmel also missed out through illness, while Pichler failed to recover from injury. Much in the same vain as Thursday in Mattersburg, Rapid got off to a quick start and managed to grab an early lead: in the seventh minute Grozurek got on the end of a defence splitting Steffen Hofmann pass, and displayed a clam head whilst stroking the ball past Wolf in the Kapfenberg goal.Sitting back Somewhat surprisingly, Rapid took their foot off the gas and allowed the lowly hosts back into the game. A string of presentable opportunities for the Styrians followed in quick succession Grgic jumped on a Jürgen Patocka mistake in the penalty area but fired wide of the post, then Lukas Königshofer made a fine diving save to deny Nathan Junior's goal bound volley. The half played out with some tidy possession football in the middle of the pitch but neither side looked like adding to the score line in the closing stages. Sonnleitner kills of KapfenbergThe pattern of the game continued into the second period. Home keeper Wolf said goodbye to the Kapfenberg supporters, replaced by youngster Kostner in the 48th minute. The experienced goalie will leave the club in the summer. Unfortunately Rapid tested the youngster far too seldom, but maintained control of the game and their grip on the three points. The decisive moment finally arrived in the 75th minute: Mario Sonnleitner got on the end of a Thonhofer free kick and volleyed home past Kostner from close range to confirm the victory. European football confirmedThe final 15 minutes saw little further goal mouth action which resulted in a comfortable three points for the Hütteldorfers. Good news filtered through from elsewhere in the Bundesliga: Admira had been held to a draw by Ried, meaning Rapid's victory over Kapfenberg confirmed second place for the club and ensured the international football will return to Vienna next season. tipp3-Bundesliga, 35th round: Kapfenberg - SK Rapid 0:2 (0:1)Franz-Fekete-Stadion, 4.500, Referee Drachta Goals: 0:1 Grozurek (7.), 0:2 Sonnleitner (75.) Kapfenberg: R. Wolf (50./Kostner) - Pitter, Gerson (80./Sahanek), Hanek, Harrer - Lovin, Sencar - Elsneg, Grgic (76./Kuljic), Babangida - Nathan Junior Rapid: Königshofer - Thonhofer, Sonnleitner, Patocka, Schrammel - Hofmann (74./Kulovits), Heikkinen, Prager, Grozurek (89./Drazan) - Alar (46./Nuhiu), G. Burgstaller Yellow Cards: Pitter, Lovin, Sencar Nuhiu (gw)
18.05.2012