Sturm Graz are one of Austria’s established clubs, founded in 1909 and based at the Merkur-Arena. They sit second in the Bundesliga, with a 25-man squad averaging 24 years of age, and their season has also taken in the ÖFB Cup quarter-finals, the Champions League qualifying play-offs and the Europa League League Phase.
Their league form has been steady rather than spectacular. The last six matches have brought two wins and four draws, including a 2-0 home win over Rapid Vienna and a 4-2 away win at TSV Hartberg. Four straight 1-1 draws before that point suggest a side difficult to shift, if not always ruthless.
There is more edge to Sturm Graz away from home, where they are averaging 2.1 goals per match while conceding 1.1. At the Merkur-Arena, the balance is flatter at 1.1 scored and 1.1 conceded. They have also started sharply often enough, scoring the first goal inside 20 minutes in seven of 18 league matches.
Otar Kiteishvili is the clear attacking reference point with 19 goals this season. Seedy Jatta follows with six, while Tomi Horvat and Maurice Malone have four each, giving Sturm Graz a spread of support without disguising where the main production lies.
For Celtic supporters, Sturm Graz are a credible Austrian opponent: second domestically, experienced in European qualifying and capable of travelling with a genuine attacking threat.
