"Zoki" Barisic's first line up included the fit again Helge Payer in goal. Katzer, Sonnleitner, Soma and Kayhan made up the back four with Kulovits and Heikinnen sat in front to play deep and protect. Drazan started wide left, with Prokopic oppostie him on the right flank, Steffen Hofmann took up a position "in the hole" behind lone striker Hamdi Salihi. It was Salihi who had the first chance of the afternoon, breaking through the Wacker backline only to see his shot repelled by Innsbruck...

Saturday's top of the table clash between Rapid and Sturm Graz looked set to live up to it's billing as the weekends top offering in the tipp3-Bundesliga. Peter Pacult went for a 4-2-3-1 formation for the crunch clash, with midweek scorer for Albania Hamdi Salihi leading the line for the Green-Whites. Emotions were running high in the stands ahead of what looked a mouth-watering encounter. Hectic OpeningAs early as the 10th minute the deadlock was broken. A simple through ball bisected the...

Rapid lined up for the second time in two Bundesliga outings in a 4-5-1 formation. Styrian opponents Sturm looked set to provide another stern test of Rapid’s title credentials following last weeks pulsating 3-3 draw in the UPC Arena in Graz. Both sets of fans were creating an explosive atmosphere and were buoyed by LASK’s victory away to RB Salzburg earlier in the day.The first effort on goal arrived in the 5th minute: Sturm midfielder Hölzl walked onto to a loose ball on the edge of...

Alfred Hörtnagl informed the club that he would leave the position he has occupied since December 2006 with immediate effect. The club President accepted Hörtnagel's resignation, and the club will now move on without his services. Team Manager Stefan Ebner takes over the day-to-day operations of the role on an interim basis. Alfred Hörtnagl's statement: "I believe I have fulfilled what I set out to achieve with SK Rapid. My aim was to implement a philosophy of recruiting and developing...

Midfielder Guido Burgstaller makes the short switch from Wr. Neustadt to Hütteldorf. He has signed a three-year contract that will take effect in the summer with an option to extend his stay. The 21-year old is currently a member of the U-21 national squad and is a versatile, attacking midfielder that has risen through the various ranks at national youth level. He began his career with the Academy of Carinthia before going on to play for FC Kärnten amateurs in premier division and regional...

Rapid welcomed relegation threatened basement boys LASK Linz to the Hanappi on Saturday afternoon. No less than three points would suffice against the beleaguered Upper Austrians as the Green-Whites looked to build on last weekend’s derby day success against Austria Vienna. New boy Michael Schimpelsberger again started the game at right back, with Tanju Kayhan filling in for the absent Markus Katzer on the opposite flank. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink came back into the strike force while the...

Saturday's top of the table clash between Rapid and Sturm Graz looked set to live up to it's billing as the weekends top offering in the tipp3-Bundesliga. Peter Pacult went for a 4-2-3-1 formation for the crunch clash, with midweek scorer for Albania Hamdi Salihi leading the line for the Green-Whites. Emotions were running high in the stands ahead of what looked a mouth-watering encounter. Hectic OpeningAs early as the 10th minute the deadlock was broken. A simple through ball bisected the...

Rapid made the short trip across Vienna on Sunday to face fierce rivals Austria. Three points and a good performance were imperative for the Green-Whites as they looked to cut the Violets lead and the top of the Bundesliga, and reinstate themselves as serious title contenders. Suspended duo Tanju Kayhan and Markus Heikinnen were replaced in the starting line up by Stefan Kulovits and youngster Michael Schimpelsberger. Boris Prokopic continued in the "hole" behind the lone striker Hamdi...

Rapid welcomed relegation threatened basement boys LASK Linz to the Hanappi on Saturday afternoon. No less than three points would suffice against the beleaguered Upper Austrians as the Green-Whites looked to build on last weekend’s derby day success against Austria Vienna. New boy Michael Schimpelsberger again started the game at right back, with Tanju Kayhan filling in for the absent Markus Katzer on the opposite flank. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink came back into the strike force while the...

Sunday’s match at the Hanappi saw the visit of SV Ried. The Upper Austrians arrived in Hütteldorf in confident mood and sitting pretty in the Bundesliga. The match took on extra importance for Rapid, as they looked to bounce back from tuesday’s Burgenland disappointment against Mattersburg. With a trip to Favoriten looming next week, three points would provide the perfect tonic and get things back on track. Flying start for RapidBoris Prokopic started in the middle of the park for the...