23. 07. 10. - 12:00

Viennese clubs proceed in Europa League qualifiers

Rapid Vienna and Austria Vienna have reached the third UEFA Europa League qualification.

Rapid performed poorly despite beating FK Sūduva Marijampolė 4-2 in front of 11,800 fans at Vienna’s Gerhard Hanappi Stadium last night (Thurs).

Croat striker Nikica Jelavic scored the opening goal for the home side after 20 minutes, but the Lithuanian cup winners led 2-1 until five minutes before the end.

Two goals by Rene Gartler (86’, 89’) – who came on in the 82nd minute – and a second goal by Jelavic helped Rapid to an overall unconvincing victory.

Rapid, who finished the season in third, won last week’s first leg 2-0. The team of former 1860 Munich striker Peter Pacult are now set to clash with Bulgarian side PFC Beroe Stara Zagora.

City rivals Austria Vienna proceed as well after winning the second leg of the qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovinian side NK Široki Brijeg 1-0 after the first leg ended in a 2-2 draw. Midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic scored the only goal of the match 10 minutes before the final whistle.

Karl Daxbacher’s team now face Polish 14-time league winners Ruch Chorzów.

The Austrian Bundesliga already continues this weekend. Champions Red Bull Salzburg face Wacker Innsbruck, while SV Mattersburg are up against SV Ried. Also on Saturday, Sturm Graz will play Kapfenberg.

Austria Vienna will travel to Linz on Sunday to play LASK while Rapid will host Magna leaders Wiener Neustadt.