The first surprise of the day was sprung by Rapid Trainer Zoran Barisic before kick off as he elected to start Lukas Denner at left back. The second surprise unfolded at kick off as opponents SV Grödig flew out of the traps at their more illustrious opponents and looked to take the game to Rapid. Jan Novota was called into action as early as the third minute, diving to keep out a long range effort from Strobl (3.). Elsneg was the next to try his luck from distance, with Novota again required to divert the goal bound effort away to safety (7.). The Hütteldorfers also had their chances in an action packed opening phase as firstly Marcel Sabitzer shot over after being set up by Guido Burgstaller (5.), before an excellent effort from Sabitzer just missed the far corner (9.). Not long after it was the home fans who were breathing a collective sigh of relief when Elsneg failed to convert a dangerous cross into the box (12.). A dynamic, attractive match was developing and being contributed to by both sides.Grödig find the breakthroughIt seemed as though a goal was in the offing and it duly arrived - but not in the fashion we would have hoped: Salamon swung a free-kick into the Rapid penalty area where it was somewhat fortunately brought under control by Karner, seemingly with use of a hand, and the same player blasted past Jan Novota from close range - 0:1 (23.). The goal and the general play was evidence from Grödig that their lofty early league position is no fluke and that they were in the Hanappi to try and claim all three points. Rapid, clearly shaken by the goal, needed time to clear their heads and consolidate before trying to carve out an equaliser.No reward for our effortsA healthy 12.800 crowd saw the Green & Whites emerge for the second half with renewed attacking gusto, although as the rain fell on Hütteldorf the final crucial ball often remained illusive and opportunities in front of goal at a premium. The best opportunity fell to Christopher Trimmel, whose header drew a smart save from Grödig goalie Fend (71.). At the other end of the pitch our defence needed to remain alert as the team from Salzburg offered sufficient threat on the counter to suggest they were capable of a second. The closest they came was when a sweeping move ended with a Zulechner headed effort on goal that narrowly cleared the crossbar (67.). Rapid came forwards searching for the equaliser but struggled against the well marshalled Grödig defence. A Trimmel shot at the near post was saved by Fend, while a last gasp Sonnleitner header went over the crossbar (90.). The scoreline remained unchanged but the team didn't let their head's drop, instead thanked for the fans for the once more excellent backing and turned their attention immediately to Thursday and the long trip to Dila Gori for the second leg of the Europa League play off.tipp3-Bundesliga, Match day 6:SK Rapid - SV Grödig 0:1 (0:1)Gerhard Hanappi-Stadion, 12.800 Attendance, Ref SchüttengruberGoal: 0:1 (24.) KarnerSK Rapid: Novota - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Dibon, Denner - Petsos, Boskovic (70. Behrendt) - Burgstaller, Hofmann, Schaub (82. Grozurek) - SabitzerGrödig: Fend - Zündel, Cabrera (63. Hayden), Karner, Strobl - M. Leitgeb, Tschernegg - Huspek, Elsneg, Salamon (96. Handle) - Zulechner (82. Tomi)Yellow Cards: Dibon, Hofmann, Petsos, Behrendt, Denner, Trimmel M. Leitgeb, Salamon, Zündel, Huspek, Karner(gw)