UEFA Europa League League Stage - 8
Sturm Graz 1 - 0 FT Brann
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
38' Emanuel Aiwu
HT
58' Otar Kiteishvili
61' Emir Karić
66' ↓ A. Kayombo ↑S. Jatta
70' Arjan Malić
↓ F. Knudsen ↑V. Dragsnes 76'
78' ↓ A. Malic ↑J. Mitchell
78' ↓ L. Weinhandl ↑F. Rozga
78' ↓ M. Malone ↑B. Beganovic
↓ M. Haaland ↑B. Finne 81'
↓ T. Pedersen ↑M. Sande 81'
85' O. Kiteishvili
90' ↓ O. Kiteishvili ↑N. Geyrhofer
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Sturm Graz
Goalkeepers
D. Khudyakov 
OCTOPUS
5
Saves
5
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
A. Malic 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
55%
Duel Win %
E. Aiwu
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
56%
Duel Win %
T. Oermann 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
E. Karic 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
39%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
T. Horvat
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Gorenc Stankovic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Weinhandl 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
O. Kiteishvili 
CLUTCH HERO
85
Goal Time
85
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.6
Rating
Forwards
M. Malone
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
A. Kayombo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
BENCH
M. Bignetti 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
C. Wiener-Pucher
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
J. Mitchell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Geyrhofer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Bendra
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Hierlander
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Hodl
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Jatta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Beganovic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Rozga
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Brann
Goalkeepers
M. Dyngeland
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
D. De Roeve
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
32%
Pass Acc
F. Knudsen
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
89%
Duel Win %
N. Boakye
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
62%
Duel Win %
J. Soltvedt
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
26%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
T. Pedersen
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
81
Entry
J. Sorensen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Myhre
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
U. Mathisen
PROVOCATEUR
6
Fouls Won
6
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
N. Holm
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
9
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
M. Haaland
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
M. Klausen
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
V. Dragsnes 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
M. Sande
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Eikrem
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Remmem
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Hansen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Finne
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Laegreid
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +13
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +5
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -7
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -10
P: 8 GD: -11
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +13
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +5
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -7
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -10
P: 8 GD: -11
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Merkur Arena Sees Late Drama as Kiteishvili Breaks Brann Hearts
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 37/100. A dramatic late strike rescued a disjointed Sturm Graz side that spent much of the night surviving against the run of play.
The Opening Act
The Balance of power at Merkur Arena felt deceptive from the opening exchanges. Sturm Graz edged possession, but Brann operated with a razor-sharp counter-attacking edge. The visitors found spaces inside the box with ease, ultimately racking up 15 efforts from close range. Anchoring the Norwegian side's defensive shape was Fredrik Pallesen Knudsen, who put in an outstanding shift to quiet the home crowd early on. Brann’s impressive 2.29 expected goals told the story of a team creating high-quality chances, yet they repeatedly crashed into a brick wall. The Austrian hosts looked disconnected in the final third, relying on sheer grit to weather the storm before the interval.
The Pivot
The Intensity spiked dramatically in the second half as Sturm Graz hunted for a breakthrough. The home side thought they had cracked the code in the 58th minute when Otar Kiteishvili found the back of the net, only for VAR to ruthlessly cancel the celebrations. That emotional swing could have broken them, but Daniil Khudyakov refused to let his team sink. The goalkeeper put on an absolute clinic, making five massive saves to repeatedly deny Brann's attackers. His heroics established a platform of pure defiance, turning the stadium into a cauldron of nervous energy as both sides traded blows in a wildly open 32-shot affair.
Resolution
With the Stakes climbing in this Europa League clash, the final minutes delivered pure theater. Just when a goalless stalemate looked certain, O. Kiteishvili stepped up in the 85th minute to smash home the winner, completely shifting the narrative. To lock down the defense, the hosts deployed Jeyland Mitchell off the bench, and the substitute responded with a flawless performance to protect the fragile lead. Brann will board their flight home wondering how they left empty-handed after dominating the chance creation. For Sturm Graz, these three points represent a massive lifeline as they claw their way up from 26th in the league stage standings.
Key Questions
How did VAR change this match?
VAR denied Otar Kiteishvili a goal in the 58th minute, delaying the hosts' celebrations and keeping the match on a knife edge.
What made Daniil Khudyakov the Man of the Match?
The goalkeeper made five critical saves, completely defying Brann's heavy attacking volume to secure a vital clean sheet.
How dramatic was the late winner by Daniil Khudyakov?
While Khudyakov was the defensive hero, it was actually O. Kiteishvili who scored the dramatic 85th-minute winner to seal the game.
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.
Do-Or-Die on the Europa League Playoff Bubble
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 16/100. With the top-24 playoff qualification line slicing right between these two sides, this clash is the ultimate definition of a continental six-pointer.
The Setup
As the League Stage heads toward its conclusion on January 29, 2026, the Stakes could not be clearer at the Merkur Arena. Brann sit precariously in 24th place—holding the final playoff spot—while Sturm Graz are just two points behind in 26th. A low Form rating for both sides tells a story of recent continental struggles; the Austrian hosts have managed just one win in their last five, while the Norwegian visitors are riding a string of frustrating draws. However, our Stars metric shines a bright light on Brann's standout performers, notably Matias Dyngeland between the sticks, who has been an absolute wall. While the modest Balance suggests a potentially messy tactical affair, the desperation to secure knockout football will force both teams to push their absolute limits.
Key Battle
Sturm Graz's misfiring forward line must find a way past Brann's deep defensive block. The home side has only netted five goals in eight matches, meaning their attackers must dramatically improve their precision to beat a visiting rearguard that specializes in grinding out narrow, low-scoring affairs.
Our Prediction
We expect a tense, cagey 1-1 draw. The fear of elimination will ultimately outweigh the desire to attack, leading to a midfield stalemate where neither side lands a decisive knockout blow, keeping Brann just above the qualification line.