broken record music to sturm's ears published: wednesday 16 december 2009, 21.45cet
bottom beat top in group f courtesy of a daniel beichler goal which ended the visitors' record of ten european away games unbeaten.
already assured of bottom place in group f, sk sturm graz at least registered the first win of their uefa europa league campaign, beating section winners galatasaray aş 1-0.
broken record franco foda's charges picked up a solitary point from their first five fixtures, drawing 1-1 in turkey on matchday 2, but end on a high thanks to daniel beichler's 21st-minute goal in what was their 100th game in uefa club competition. the visitors, meanwhile, head into the round of 32 after losing their unbeaten record in this season's tournament and having suffered their first european away defeat in eleven matches. they could have few complaints.
defensive mix-up having scored just twice previously in the group stage, sturm would have been particularly grateful for the generosity shown by emre aşık in the prelude to their goal. klemen lavrič pounced on his poor headed clearance to test aykut erçetin, who could only parry, leaving beichler to somewhat fortuitously strike the rebound into the net via the ground. lacking composure on that occasion, the goalscorer was wasteful on 35 minutes, somehow turning lavrič's cross wide from barely five metres. frank rijkaard's side were equally profligate, though it was retaining possession that proved their downfall during a half in which they offered little menace.
chances scarce they did, at least, keep the ball with more swagger after the break, but it continued to be sturm who punctuated the game with some attacking verve. andreas hölzl came closest to putting the finishing touch to such a move on 52 minutes, but slid agonisingly short. galatasaray looked there for the taking but both sides appeared content enough to go through the motions and sturm cantered to victory.
