UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round 2
Heart Of Midlothian 0 - 2 FT Sturm Graz
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
S. Jatta 26'
45'+2 β S. Kingsley βS. Findlay
HT
β L. Weinhandl βR. Fosso 46'
A. Vallci 61'
S. Seidl (J. Gorenc Stankovic) 64'
E. Soglo 68'
69' β B. Spittal βT. Renaud
69' β S. Guendouz βA. Ba-Sy
69' β C. Miller βP. Kabore
β S. Wlodarczyk βB. Beganovic 72'
β J. Hodl βG. Mamageishvili 77'
β E. Soglo βA. Malic 77'
80' β A. Kyziridis βJ. McCart
β J. Gorenc Stankovic βJ. Halwachs 81'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Heart Of Midlothian
Goalkeepers
Alexander Schwolow 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Jordi Altena 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Malachi Fagan-Walcott
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Stephen Kingsley
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
47
Total Mins
45
Entry
Harry Milne
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
9
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Midfielders
Blair Spittal
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
Oisin McEntee
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Severin Sabri Guendouz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
Forwards
Alexandros Kyziridis
LATE SHIFT
10
Late Mins
10
Late Mins
80
Total Mins
80
Entry
ClΓ‘udio Braga 
STORMTROOPER
4
Shots
4
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Calvin Miller
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
BENCH
Zander Clark 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Ryan Fulton
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Stuart Findlay
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jamie McCart
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tom Renaud
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tomas Magnusson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pierre Landry KaborΓ©
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Amadou Ba-Sy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
James Wilson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sabah Kerjota
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sturm Graz
Goalkeepers
Daniil Khudyakov
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Jurgen Heil
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Albert Vallci 
SWEEPER
4
Cleanups
4
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
2
Blocks
Jeyland Mitchell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Emran Soglo 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Midfielders
Simon Seidl
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Luca Weinhandl
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Jon Gorenc StankoviΔ 
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
0
Contribution
0
Contribution
7.9
Rating
Yes
Captain
Jacob HΓΆdl 
DRIBBLER
5
Dribbles
5
Dribbles
8
Attempts
62%
Success %
Forwards
Szymon WΕodarczyk
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
72
Total Mins
72
Entry
Seedy Jatta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Ammar Helac
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Elias Lorenz
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Arjan MaliΔ
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Petar PetroviΔ
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Paul Koller
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ryan Fosso
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
47
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gizo Mamageishvili
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Julian Halwachs
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Otar Kiteishvili
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Belmin BeganoviΔ
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Axel Kayombo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nelson Weiper
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/21/2026 | Sturm Graz | 4 - 0 | Heart Of Midlothian | UEFA Champions League | Merkur-Arena |
07/21/2026
Heart Of Midlothian Win
Sturm Graz Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Tynecastle Silenced as Graz Steal the Show
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 39/100. A smash-and-grab masterclass from Sturm Graz proved that possession means nothing without a killer instinct in European qualifiers.
Early Warnings at Tynecastle
Heart Of Midlothian dominated possession with 64% of the ball, but they left massive gaps at the back. Tynecastle Park was rocking for this crucial Champions League qualifier, where the Stakes couldn't be higher. Sturm Graz were perfectly happy to absorb the pressure and strike on the counter. The Intensity of the opening exchanges was palpable, with the visitors threatening early. Graz actually thought they had drawn first blood in the 26th minute, only for S. Jatta to see his effort wiped out by VAR for a foul. It was a let-off for the hosts, but the warning signs were flashing bright red as the Austrians continued to exploit the space behind the Scottish defence.
The Austrian Ambush
The second half tore the script to shreds. Despite facing corner pressure and a relentless barrage of 15 overall shots from the home side, Graz found their golden moment in the 64th minute. J. Gorenc Stankovic threaded a precise ball through the lines to find S. Seidl, who buried the opener. The Balance of the tie immediately shifted. Just four minutes later, the away side landed the knockout blow. E. Soglo struck in the 68th minute, plunging the home support into a stunned silence. The quick-fire double was devastatingly clinical, turning what looked like a tight tactical contest into a ruthless away performance.
Schwolow's Heroics in Defeat
The final 0-2 scoreline triggered a massive Upset Factor rating, given the pre-match probabilities and the home advantage. Ironically, the best player on the pitch wore maroon. Alexander Schwolow put on an absolute clinic between the posts, racking up 7 crucial saves to prevent a total blowout. Sturm Graz rattled off 17 shots with 9 on target, forcing the German keeper into incredible acrobatics. Ultimately, Hearts failed to translate their territorial dominance into dangerous chances. Graz advance with a priceless two-goal advantage, punishing the hosts' defensive frailties with cold, calculated efficiency.
Key Questions
What made Alexander Schwolow the Man of the Match?
Despite the defeat, Schwolow made 7 crucial saves, single-handedly preventing a heavier loss against Sturm Graz's relentless 9 shots on target.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Fine Margins Define Champions League Qualifier
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 58/100. With a spot in the next phase on the line, expect a cautious, grinding affair where early mistakes will be punished severely.
The Setup
The UEFA Champions League second qualifying round brings Sturm Graz to Tynecastle Park on July 28, 2026, for a fixture defined by incredibly fine margins. The Stakes are undoubtedly high for both clubs as they aim to navigate the perilous qualification gauntlet and edge closer to the lucrative league stage. However, a modest Stars rating indicates a distinct lack of marquee household names, meaning this tight tie will likely be won through collective grit rather than flashes of individual brilliance. Heart of Midlothian must rely on the legendary noise of their home crowd to intimidate and disrupt the visitors' rhythm. Conversely, the Austrian outfit will look to lean on their European experience and the creative vision of O. Kiteishvili in midfield to control the tempo.
Key Battle
The pivotal clash lies between the home side's rugged backline and the visitors' attacking midfield unit. Without standout individual matchups to highlight on the Scottish side, this becomes a fascinating tactical chess match. If the local defence can stay compact, drop deep when necessary, and deny space between the lines, they can effectively frustrate the Austrian push forward and force critical turnovers.
Our Prediction
We expect a gritty, fiercely contested 1-1 draw. The home side will look to strike early through a well-worked set-piece, utilizing their physical advantage. However, the visitors will methodically work their way back into the tie, exploiting tired legs late in the second half. Ultimately, neither team will want to risk it all, leaving absolutely everything to play for in the decisive second leg.