29. 07. 10. - 14:00

Beichler scores for new club

Daniel Beichler found the net for his new club Hertha BSC Berlin in a 1-2 defeat against German third-league side FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt yesterday (Weds).

The Austrian national team striker, who joined the team who were relegated from the German Bundesliga last season, performed over the full distance in the friendly played in Essen.

The 21-year-old was rumoured to leave Sturm Graz for Austrian league champs Red Bull Salzburg before agreeing on a transfer to the tradition-rich German club. Fans of the side were delighted to hear that his Berlin-born grand mum’s name is Hertha.

Beichler is expected to be part of the national team when Austria play Switzerland in a friendly in Klagenfurt on 11 August. The neighbouring countries teamed up to host the European Football Championship two years ago.

Meanwhile, his former club Sturm start their bid to qualify for the UEFA Europa League today. The side managed by Franco Foda faces Georgian vice champions FC Dinamo Tbilisi.

Rapid Vienna are set to clash with Bulgarian side PFC Beroe Stara Zagora after knocking out Lithuanian cup winners FK Sūduva Marijampolė in the second round.

City rivals Austria Vienna meet Polish club Ruch Chorzów. The Austrian vice champions defeated Bosnia-Herzegovinian side NK Široki Brijeg in the previous round.

Red Bull have all chances to reach the main stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club’s history after reaching a 1-1 draw against Cypriot champions AC Omonia in the first leg of the third qualifying round on Tuesday.

The Austrian Bundesliga continues this weekend with two matches due on Saturday and the other three played on Sunday, including Rapid Vienna vs. Red Bull which will be broadcast live by ORF 1 (kickoff: 4pm).