GAK Defeated - Promotion Achieved

The tension in Weinzödl was palpable long before kick-off. Nearly 750 spectators, including over 100 Linz supporters, flocked to the northern region of Graz to witness the clash between GAK and LASK live.

It was an absolute dream and lightning start for LASK. GAK had the kick-off and attempted a long ball down the sides. Black and White intercepted the ball, and Tea Krznaric had plenty of space on the left wing. She charged forward with pace, beat her opponent, and passed the ball into the middle. Celina Prieler wasted no time and calmly slotted it home for a 1-0 lead (1st minute).

Both teams seemed slightly surprised by the quick lead and subsequently approached the game cautiously. The next opportunity also fell to LASK, with Kathi Mayr narrowly curling the ball over the crossbar (8th minute). Jana Kofler slightly missed the target in the penalty area after a beautiful passing combination (17th minute).

Afterward, the home team caused some concern in Weinzödl. They delivered a long ball from the right into the penalty area. Striker Christina Siebenhofer initially missed it, before her teammate found a shot. Katarina Pranjes cleared the ball off the line in a desperate effort (18th minute).

From that point on, the Reds began to find their rhythm. Both teams displayed attractive football, primarily keeping the ball in midfield. The initial hectic and intense phase gradually diminished as the first half progressed. The main source of excitement came from the overly physical challenges from the Graz players.

In the 41st minute, Mayr had another attempt, but the ball slipped from her foot. Just before the halftime whistle, Krznaric had a good opportunity from the left side of the penalty area, but the goalkeeper initially defused the situation. In the aftermath, Jana Kofler was brought down in the penalty area, but referee Stefan Tikal decided on an offensive foul (45th minute). Simone Krammer had another top chance a minute later, narrowly missing the target in a one-on-one situation. The first half ended with the slender 1-0 lead for the Black-and-Whites.

LASK came out of the dressing room wide awake and had the first clear chances after the restart. Madlene Kerschbaummayr's header from a right-sided corner narrowly missed the goal (49th minute), and Tea Krznaric's shot from the left side of the penalty area went just wide (51st minute).

In the 54th minute, Jessica Frieser sent a free-kick from a promising position over the Linz goal. Both teams engaged in an evenly matched duel, at times even a physical one. Despite that, LASK maintained a slight dominance, although lacking the final touch in the attacking third. This was evident when Lisa Feilmayr, shortly after coming on as a substitute, curled the ball narrowly wide from the right side of the penalty area (64th minute).

The Graz team, on the other hand, came close to equalizing through Marie Haiden, as her shot hit the crossbar (69th minute). Jana Kofler had a couple of central attempts from a free-kick around 25 meters out (75th minute), and Celina Prieler's long-range shot missed the target

(83rd minute).

The next clear chance once again fell to LASK. Lena Farthofer made a strong run on the right side and played the ball to Lisa Feilmayr. Unfortunately, she took the ball too far ahead (87th minute).

In the 89th minute, our Black and Whites were reduced to ten players: Katarina Pranjes received her second yellow card for a foul, the first one having been shown for unsporting behavior. The Sportcampus Weinzödl began to heat up, not only due to the high temperatures. In the final minutes, LASK focused solely on defending, which they accomplished with excellence, ultimately securing the 1-0 victory until the final whistle.

The mission of reaching the second league has been accomplished!

Starting Line-Up: Forstner – Sensenberger, Pranjes, Kerschbaummayr. Farthofer – Kofler, Krammer, Wiener – Mayr, Prieler, Krznaric

Second Yellow Card: Pranjes (89.)

Goal: /; Prieler (1.)