The match against Sturm represented a proud moment for teenager Louis Schaub. With Trimmel and Drazan failing to recover from minor injuries in time for the game, 17 year old Schaub, who made the step up from the reserves to the first team squad in the summer, was drafted into the starting lineup by Coach Peter Schöttel. The promising youngster delivered a fine performance and we now all wait eagerly to see how his career in Green & White progresses. Solid at the back, lively up frontEarly signs indicated that the large Gerhard Hanappi crowd was going to be treated to an attractive, open encounter. Visitors Graz had four attackers in their line up this positive formation had seen them convincingly beat WAC last weekend. However, Rapid present a very different proposition to WAC, and despite the wealth of attacking talent in the Graz side's line up, The Hütteldorfers were well drilled at the back and clear cut opportunities for the guests would prove to be few and far between. Whilst Rapid were performing well at the back, the same could also be said of the attack and having looked threatening the first goal of the afternoon arrived on 15 minutes. A neat one-two between Burgstaller and Sonnleitner played Burgstaller into a dangerous position, and after jinking past a defender the Rapid front man beat Sturm keeper Grazei with a reasonably tame effort. Although the goalie may feel he should have done better, the goal certainly gave the Green & Whites a deserved lead. Thoroughly deserved leadRapid continued to apply the pressure a dangerous low cross from Katzer went unrewarded, while Steffen Hofmann nearly picked out debutant Schaub who had taken up an advanced position in the Graz box. A volley in the 33rd minute that missed the target from Rubin Okotie was as good as it got for the visitors, and despite this effort it looked like any further additions to the score line would be coming from the buoyant Viennese. Captain Steffen Hofmann nearly snatched the second goal on the stroke of half time, but his free kick from 25 yards went just the wrong side of the post. 1:0 to Rapid at the break and thoroughly deserved. Looking to kill the game offA positive Sturm Graz emerged for the second half, but just as they were looking to establish a foothold in the game Rapid grabbed the crucial second. Sonnleitner played the ball forwards to Hofmann, who in turn flicked the ball on to Alar who managed to get in behind the Sturm defence. Gratzei rushed out of his goal to try and get to the ball first, but Alar beat him to the punch and with a deft lob gave Rapid the vital two goal cushion in the 56th minute. The Styrian side did their best to force their way back into contention without ever really threatening to pull a goal back. Unsurprisingly it was the men form the capital who added the third of the afternoon: Ildiz went on a mazy run and played a perfectly weighted pass to Steffen Hofmann. Hungry for a goal following his earlier exploits, the Rapid skipper met the ball beautifully and drilled an unstoppable low shot beyond Grazei and into the far corner from about 12 yards out. Even with 20 minutes still to play the goal put any lingering hopes Graz may have had of a comeback well and truly to bed. Attention now turns to Thursday and the Europa League clash against PAOK Saloniki, a difficult task but if the Rapid boys can show the same levels of performance as in their last two outings, certainly not impossible. tipp3-Bundesliga powered by T-Mobile, 5th round SK Rapid - Sturm Graz 3:0 (1:0)Gerhard Hanappi-Stadion, 16.400 Attendance, Ref Drachta Goals: 1:0 Burgstaller (15.), 2:0 Alar (57.), 3:0 Hofmann (70.) SK Rapid: Königshofer - Schimpelsberger, Sonnleitner, Gerson (66./Pichler), Katzer - Heikkinen, Ildiz - Schaub (60./Grozurek), Hofmann (75./Kulovits), Burgstaller - Alar Sturm Graz: Gratzei - Ehrenreich (69./Bukva), Dudic, Vujadinovic, Hütter - Weber, Madl (87./Kröpfl), Bodul - Szabics - Okotie (46./Schloffer), Sukuta-Pasu Yellow Cards: Hütter, Madl, Gratzei, Schloffer   (gw)
28.08.2012