A night to savour, a night for heroes: an emotionally charged European football night was taking place on Thursday evening in Huetteldorf. So often cast in the role of the fallen tragic figure, this time Rapid left the stage in victorious glory. The reward? A place in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League, and the role of representing Austrian domestic football on the international stage. Goals from Alar, Boyd and Hofmann ensured that Rapid avoided a Greek Tragedy with a 4-2 scoreline that more than accounted for their Mediterranean opponents. But as with all good tales we start at the beginning: the opening phase of the match was laden with tension from the stands and pressure on the pitch. Every ball was ferociously fought for, both teams refusing to give an inch. It was the Greek visitors who began to build up a head of steam: firstly, Gerson was on hand to mop up a dangerous situation in the 24th minute, while just a minute later a teasing cross looked like being converted by Anathasiadis, but the PAOK man failed to apply the finishing touch. Terrence Boyd looked to lead the fight back as he mustered a powerful shot by way of an instant response – although had he seen the unmarked Katzer he may have elected to pass rather than shoot. As the contest swung from end to end Lukas Königshofer would be the next Rapid player under the spotlight: the Viennese custodian was at his best as he parried a Robert shot to safety in the 28th minute. A hectic five minute spell saw an effort from Steffen Hofmann nearly give Rapid the lead, but just a minute later the Huetteldorf fans could celebrate in ernst: quality wing play from Guido Burgstaller resulted in a perfect ball into the penalty area where the lurking Deni Alar was on hand to turn the ball home – 1:0 in the 31st minute. Peter Schöttels side could smell blood and went fort he jugular: half chances came from a series of corners before Alar again went close on the stroke of half time, this time the forwards effort went just the wrong side of the post. Rapid deservedly ahead at half time, PAOK teetering on the brink....The old football addage reads "score when your on top or you'll get punished." With this in mind the Green & Whites emerged for the second half and did just that: Hofmann's free kick three minutes after the restart was met by Boyd who guided the ball beyond the keeper and into the net. 2-0 Rapid, Hanappi in ecstacy. The game swung once more from end to end: the Greeks knew they had to score to breath new life into their dying European campaign, while we were looking for the third to put the issue beyond doubt. PAOK continued to look dangerous, shooting on sight and working the ball into dangerous areas, but as the noise in the stands grew and Rapid songs filled the Viennese air, the players responded and began to take control. The match was rounded off in classic fashion: the increasingly desperate Greeks were caught on the counter by a swift, sweeping Rapid move that took them the length of the pitch in a matter of seconds and was expertly rounded off by inspirational skipper Steffen Hofmann. 3-0 job done, group phase secured! European football will continue in Vienna this year. We now await the draw for the group stages with baited breath. One thing is for sure, that with such fantastic support no one in Europe will relish the prospect of a trip to Vienna to face the Green & Whites.  UEFA Europa League, Play-off-Rückspiel:SK Rapid - PAOK Saloniki 3:0 (1:0)Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadion, 16.000 Attendence, Ref Gomes (ESP)Goals: 1:0 (31.) Alar, 2:0 (48.) Boyd, 3:0 (93.) HofmannSK Rapid: Königshofer - Trimmel (85. Schrammel), Sonnleitner, Gerson, Katzer - Heikkinen (69. Prager), Ildiz - Hofmann, Alar, Burgstaller - BoydPAOK: Glykos - Etto, Khumalo, Matheus, Lino - Georgiadis, Kace (70. Pelkas), Garcia, Robert (46. Fotakis) - Giannou (46. Lawrence), AthanasiadisYellow Cards: Burgstaller Kace, Athanasiadis (gw)
31.08.2012