Grazer lift Austrian Cup

Grazer AK survived a late comeback from their city rivals SK Sturm Graz to lift their third ÖFB Cup after winning 3-2 this afternoon.

Early dominance
In a classic game of two halves, Grazer dominated the first, rattling in three goals without reply inside the opening 35 minutes. Ronald Brunmayr opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 15th minute after Roman Mählich had fouled Mario Bazina in the area.

No way back
Brunmayr doubled the lead soon after with a near post shot which fooled Sturm's keeper Daniel Hoffmann. The game appeared all but over when Jones Kusi-Asare finished off a sweeping move that involved René Aufhauser and Brunmayr for the third after 35 minutes.

Man down
But Sturm staged a second-half fightback inspired by Ivica Vastic. In the 58th minute Vastic cut the margin to two goals with a stunning free-kick from 22 metres out. Grazer were forced to play the final 23 minutes with ten men when Jürgen Hartmann was dismissed for his second bookable offence, but Sturm failed to take full advantage. Two minutes into injury time Vastic scored his second from the penalty spot after Mario Tokic had fouled Charles Amoah in the area.