Both the Grazer and the “Violets” would still be represented in a European group phase if they failed prematurely – Sturm in the Europa League and Austria in the Conference League. In the most recent UEFA competition, Rapid and WAC also got their final hurdles drawn. Should the Viennese advance to the play-off, they will meet the winner of the duel Vaduz – Konyaspor, the WAC will have to deal with Molde or Kisvarda (HUN) if they are promoted.
Before Sturm can deal with Benfica or Midtjylland, Austria’s runners-up will meet Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round of the premier class on Wednesday (8 p.m., live on ORF1) in Lodz and on August 9 in Graz. In the event of promotion to the Champions League play-off on 16./17. August home advantage, the second leg takes place on 23./24. August in Portugal or Denmark.
Possible storm reunion with Schmidt
If Graz were successful, either the Portuguese big club or the Danish runners-up would be waiting. Benfica, coached by the former Salzburg champion (2014) Roger Schmidt, is the favorite in the third qualifying round on Wednesday and August 9th. The club from Lisbon was third in the championship last season with ÖFB team player Valentino Lazaro, who was loaned out by Inter Milan, and sold Darwin Nunez to Liverpool for 75 million euros in the summer. According to Transfermarkt.at, the Brazilians David Neres and Joao Victor as well as the Argentinian Enzo Fernandes were brought in for a total of around 33 million euros.
Midtjylland only prevailed on penalties in the second CL qualifying round against AEK Larnaka from Cyprus. The club from Herning are three-time Danish champions and have already gained experience in the Champions League in the 2020/21 season, scoring one point each against Liverpool and Atalanta Bergamo.
Austria threatens a duel with Fenerbahce
Austria is firmly in the play-off of the Europa League and meets either the Turkish runners-up Fenerbahce or the Czech representative Slovacko, who finished the previous season in fourth place. First of all, the “Violets” have home rights on August 18 in the Generali Arena, a week later it’s about promotion in Turkey or the Czech Republic. Fenerbahce lost 2-1 to Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League qualifier after extra time, fans of the club caused shame by shouting “Putin”. Fenerbahce are now the clear favorites in Thursday’s duel with Slovacko in Istanbul and then in Uherske Hradiste.
“Slovacko is definitely the outsider in this duel. Fenerbahce is peppered with stars and after being eliminated in the Champions League qualifier against Kyiv, they certainly want to do everything in their power to get into the Europa League,” explained Austria coach Manfred Schmid.
In the two games on Thursday and next week, Austria will be able to get a good picture of their opponents. “We now have two European Cup games to watch the two teams. We will prepare specifically for the two possible opponents. There would certainly have been an easier draw, but we’re looking forward to the challenge,” said Schmid. While Slovacko has a national trophy with this year’s cup victory, Fenerbahce is 19 times champion.
Good lots for Rapid and WAC
Although Rapid and WAC first have to make it into the play-offs of the Europa Conference League, the draw for this round went well for the two Bundesliga clubs on Tuesday in Nyon. The Turkish representative Konyaspor or FC Vaduz from Liechtenstein would be waiting for Hütteldorfer, the Carinthians would have to compete with the Norwegian club Molde or the Hungarian club Kisvarda. Both domestic clubs would initially compete away from home.
Rapid must first overcome Neftci Baku in the third qualifying round, WAC defeating Maltese club Gzira United FC. Playoff dates are August 18th and 25th.
European Cup qualifiers, draw, play-offs
Storm Graz / Dynamo Kiev (UKR) vs. Benfica Lisbon (POR) / FC Midtjylland (DEN)
Game dates: 16./17. or 23./24. August
Europa League:
Austria Vienna – Fenerbahce (TUR) / Slovacko (CZE)
Game dates: August 18th and 25th
Conference League:
Vaduz (LIE) / Konyaspor (TUR) – Neftci PFK (AZE) / Rapid Vienna
Molde FK (NOR) / Kisvarda FC (HUN) – WAC / Gizra (MLT)
Game dates: August 18th and 25th
