Sturm Graz have confirmed that they will be able to play Hearts at their own stadium if the teams are drawn together in the Champions League second qualifying round. The draw takes place on Wednesday.
Stadium Renovations Completed in Time
The Austrian club had been facing a race against time to get their ground ready, with refurbishment works not scheduled to be completed until the end of next month. This had raised the possibility of an alternative venue being used for the clash against either Hearts or Polish side Gornik Zabrze.
Sturm had earmarked the Worthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt, some 83 miles south of Graz, as a potential alternative. However, upgrades to floodlights and electrical cables are now expected to be finished in time for the second qualifying round, which begins on July 21 or 22.
Managing Director's Statement
Managing director Thomas Tebbich expressed his delight at being able to host the match at the 16,364-capacity Liebenau Stadium. He said: “We are delighted to be able to host the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers in Liebenau. Everyone knows the incredible energy our fans can generate in this stadium – especially on European nights. A huge thank you goes to the stadium management, with whom we are in constant communication and who have done everything possible to ensure that the necessary work is completed on time so that we can play our qualifying matches in Graz.”
Club Statement
A club statement read: “SK Sturm Graz can play its home games in the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualification at the Graz-Liebenau Stadium. It is now confirmed: The ongoing renovations to the floodlights and cable infrastructure at the Graz-Liebenau stadium will be completed in time for the start of the second qualifying round on July 21st/22nd. This means the Black and Whites can play their European home match in front of their own fans in Liebenau.”
