Austria deny Rapid double
Wednesday, June 1, 2005
Article summary
SK Rapid Wien failed to complete a domestic double as FK Austria Wien claimed a 3-1 win in the Austrian Cup final.
Article body
By Raimund Fabi
SK Rapid Wien missed the opportunity to complete a domestic double as FK Austria Wien came from a goal down to run out 3-1 winners in the Austrian Cup final.
Rapid aim
Having claimed the Austrian Bundesliga title for the first time in nine seasons, Rapid went into tonight's game knowing that victory would give them the league and cup double for the first time since 1986/87. Joseph Hickersberger's team began promisingly and took the lead after only five minutes, defender Thomas Burgstaller opening the scoring.
Austria fightback
Austria rallied quickly, however, and were level 15 minutes later as Polish midfield player Sebastian Mila brought the UEFA Cup quarter-finalists back on terms. The match, and the cup, were effectively settled by a ten-minute spell early in the second half, 35-year-old striker Ivica Vastic putting Austria 2-1 up in the 55th minute, before Czech midfield player Libor Sionko sealed the win just past the hour.
UEFA Cup return
Austria therefore claimed the cup for the 24th time, and will return to the UEFA Cup next season. Rapid, meanwhile, will enter the UEFA Champions League in the second qualifying round.