Europa League: Nottingham Faces Sturm in Exciting Showdown
Sturm Graz is set to face Nottingham Forest in a highly anticipated Europa League clash. This matchup is particularly meaningful for Sturm, as they seek to avenge a close defeat from the 1984 UEFA Cup quarter-finals against the English side.
Match Background
In 1984, Sturm Graz narrowly lost to Nottingham Forest after a controversial penalty in extra time. Now, more than 40 years later, they look to turn the tables.
Current Standings
- Sturm Graz: 27th place out of 36 teams in Europa League with 3 points.
- Nottingham Forest: 17th place with 4 points.
Both teams are eager for a victory, especially as Sturm aims to leverage their home advantage at Merkur Arena.
Recent Performance
Sturm Graz has had mixed results leading up to this match. They secured their only points in the competition with a 2-1 win against Glasgow Rangers in 2025. However, recent encounters have included a series of challenging matches:
- Defeats: 1-2 against Celtic, 1-3 against WAC, and 1-2 against Rapid.
- Close wins: 4-3 against Blau-Weiß Linz and a penalty shootout victory against Admira.
Interestingly, Sturm’s defensive record has worsened since the league resumption, conceding 2.2 goals per match compared to 0.86 earlier in the season.
Coaches’ Insights
Sturm’s coach, Jürgen Säumel, emphasizes the importance of team cohesion and defensive compactness. “We need to transform our anger from the previous games into positive energy on the field,” he stated. He also noted the physicality and vertical play style of Nottingham Forest, who recently appointed Sean Dyche as head coach.
Dyche, acknowledging Sturm’s determination, remarked, “We will not take the match lightly.”
Player Updates
Sturm will be missing midfielder Tochi Chukwuani due to suspension. In contrast, Nottingham is dealing with injuries to key players like Olexandr Sintschenko. The match is expected to be a fierce encounter, as both teams seek to solidify their standings in the Europa League.
Upcoming Match Details
The match is scheduled for Thursday at 18:45 CET at Merkur Arena.
| Team | Possible Lineup |
|---|---|
| Sturm Graz | Christensen – Malic, Oermann, Lavalee, Karic – Rozga, Gorenc Stankovic, Kiteischwili, Horvat – Malone, Kayombo |
| Nottingham Forest | Sels – Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams – Anderson, Douglas Luiz – Ndoye, Gibbs-White, McAtee – Kalimuendo |
As the showdown approaches, both Sturm Graz and Nottingham Forest are poised for a significant battle, making this a must-watch fixture in the Europa League.
