Rapid started the game against Dynamo Kiev without duo Steffen Hoffman and Branko Boskovic, but with great desire and willingness to take the game to their illustrious opponents. Early efforts from Petsos and Trimmel failed to yield a goal, and the Green & Whites soon found themselves pushed back by the Ukrainian outfit.Setbacks coming thick and fastA spell of sustained pressure from Kiev brought the first goal of the evening: a slick build up provided Yarmolenko with an opportunity that he gobbled up, finishing from close range - 0:1 (29.). With barely enough time to catch their breath things got quickly worse for the Hütteldorfers as a harmless looking ball into the box from Mbokani was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Christopher Dibon - 0:2 (32.). It was a real horror moment for Dibon, and it looked like the game may have slipped away with little over half an hour on the clock. Mbokani had the chance to all but bury Rapid but missed the target having been through on goal. Deep breath and a half time re-think was required for Rapid.Rapid building momentumDespite making no changes to personel at half time, the side that emerged for the second half had a completely different mindset and looked a different team. With the crowd at their backs Rapid pushed on, pressed high up the pitch and managed to grab a foothold in the game: a cross from Stephan Palla was met on the volley by Guido Burgstaller who fired into the far corner to breathe life into the match - 1:2 (52.). What unfolded next showed that the true Rapid spirit of old is alive and well: the game was one way traffic, a Boyd header (54.), a Schaub shot (56.) and a good effort from Burgstaller (58.) threatened to turn the game on its head as waves of anticipation and belief swept through the Viennese. A hammer of a shot from Behrendt then went just wide as Rapid began taking the crumbling guests apart (64.).  Last gasp equaliserA second goal was within grasp and it nearly arrived via a cultured free kick from twenty meters from Thanos Petsos that the Kiev goalie somehow got a hand to (81.). Then there was a nasty moment for the flying Green & Whites when Guido Burgstaller turned his ankle over and was unable to continue. Rapid were throwing everything forwards, raining down attack after attack on the Kiev goal, but it looked like the Ukrainians might escape with a win. Then, seconds before the final whistle the pressure finally told: another Palla cross was launched into the box and Christopher Trimmel showed guts and determination to out jump the Dynamo defence to head home a famous equaliser for the Hütteldorfers - 2:2 (94.)! With virtually the final kick of the game Rapid got their richly deserved point after refusing to accept defeat. Hope is rekindled. A positive result against Genk (end October) and anything is possible!UEFA Europa League, Match Day 2 Group GSK Rapid - Dynamo Kiev 2:2 (0:2)Happel-Stadion, 34.800 Attendance, Referee Dean (ENG)Goals: 0:1 Jarmolenko (30.), 0:2 Dibon (34./ET), 1:2 Burgstaller (53.), 2:2 Trimmel (94.)SK Rapid: Novota - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Dibon, Palla - Petsos, Behrendt - Burgstaller (74./Grozurek), Schaub, Sabitzer - BoydDynamo Kiew: Kowal - Danilo, Dragovic, Chacheridi, Tremoulinas - Veloso, Sydortschuk (46./Vukojevic) - Lens (87./Gusew), Belhanda (74./Haruna), Jarmolenko - MbokaniYellow Cards: Sonnleitner, Behrendt, Boyd, Schaub Sydortschuk, Vukojevic, Kowal(gw)
10.10.2013