The game in Graz was less than two minutes old when disaster struck for Rapid and in particular youngster Maximilian Hofmann: a defence splitting ball found Beric in space and Hofmann with ground to make up to get goal side. The youngster bundled the Sturm man over in the box, receiving a red card and his misery was compounded when Vujadinovic converted the penalty - 1:0 (2.). Rapid would now have to play an entire match a man light and already with a goal deficit. Not the start the Hütteldorfers would have been looking for.Rather than feel sorry for themselves Rapid cleared their heads and refused to go into their shells, showing the same grit and determination that had seen them emerge from Thursday's second half onslaught in Greece unscathed. Despite having the man advantage, Sturm were finding it difficult to pick holes in the Rapid defence, whereas at the other end of the field the Green & Whites looked more and more dangerous. A Steffen Hofmann free kick (24.), a Grozurek shot (26.) and a Petsos effort (44.) meant that Sturm keeper Gratzei had to remain alert to the Viennese threat.Irresistible Rapid tear up script and turn gameThe momentum gathered pace in the second half as a determined Rapid emerged and shocked the onlooking home supporters with a game changing 10 minutes: two minutes after the restart a deep free kick found Christopher Trimmel who powered a towering header past Gratzei to haul the 10 men level - 1:1 (47.). Minutes later Lukas Grozurek burst through the Sturm defence, was upended by Todorovski and referee Hameter awarded a second penalty of the match. Guido Burgstaller was the coolest man in Styria as he stepped up and rifled an excellent penalty into the roof of the net to send 2000 travelling Rapid fans into hysteria - 2:1 (53.)!Late drama, glory for RapidDespite being forced to press forwards in search of an equaliser, a Sturm goal threat never really materialised. The same cannot be said of Rapid's slick counter attacking football that was threatening to take the game beyond Graz's reach. The passion and quality of the ten man Rapid team was rewarded as the game entered the final quarter of an hour: following a corner the ball found its way to Brian Behrendt on the edge of the box, who hammered in a flat drive that was still rising as it found the top corner - 3:1 (77.)! Just when the Hütteldorfers thought they were home and dry Daniel Beichler popped up with a smart side footed finish to reduce Rapid's lead to a slender single goal margin and give Sturm renewed hope of a point - 2:3 (88.). But the crowning moment of a fantastic match arrived in injury time and it was a sweet one for Zoran Barisic and his players: Sabitzer played in Louis Schaub behind the Sturm defence and he beat the onrushing Gratzei to the ball to confirm a glorious three points in adversity for Rapid - 4:2 (92.)!This away day victory provides the lads with a massive slice of self confidence and belief ahead of the giant clash on Thursday against Asteras. But before looking ahead we can all enjoy a day and a match that will live long in the memory. A great day for Green & White.tipp3-Bundesliga, Third Match day:SK Sturm Graz - SK Rapid 2:4 (1:0)Graz, UPC-Arena, 10.250 Attendance, Ref HameterGoals: 1:0 (3.) Vujadinovic (PE), 1:1 (47.) Trimmel, 1:2 (53.) Burgstaller (PE), 1:3 (77.) Behrendt, 2:3 (88.) Beichler, 2:4 (92.) SchaubSturm Graz: Gratzei - Todorovski, Madl, Vujadinovic, Klem - P. Wolf, M. Weber (73. Kröpfl), Hadzic (20. T. Kainz), Offenbacher (53. Beichler), F. Kainz - BericSK Rapid: Novota - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, M. Hofmann, Palla (64. Schrammel)- Behrendt, Petsos - Burgstaller, S. Hofmann (68. Pichler), Grozurek (83. Schaub) - SabitzerYellow Cards: T. Kainz, Todorovski, Vujadinovic, Kröpfl, F. Kainz, P. Wolf Sabitzer, Burgstaller, PetsosRed Cards: M. Hofmann (2./denying clear goal scoring opportunity)(gw)
06.08.2013