Before the start of the Champions League – cheers! Sturm has to cancel its main sponsor

Back home in Graz, Sturm head coach Christian Ilzer spoke of a “mixture of euphoria, anticipation and tension” before the first party in the premier class for himself and for the club after 23 years. “But we are well prepared, we have delivered exceptionally for the Champions League for a year, now we want to compete at this level too.” We are happy to take on this challenge, we want to make the most of every single game. Brest came third in France, and they are an unpleasant opponent. But we also want to be unpleasant. It is the biggest stage, the whole world is watching. One or two fans will ask themselves on Thursday who Sturm Graz is. It is our job to show that Sturm is a team that plays very aggressive football and can compete at this level too.”