Hearts knocked out of Champions League as Vrancken’s side lose 0-2 to Sturm Graz
Hearts of Midlothian were eliminated from the Champions League after a 0-2 defeat to Austrian side Sturm Graz in the second leg of the second qualifying round, leaving the aggregate score at 6-0. The loss follows a 4-0 first‑leg defeat in Austria, ending the Scottish club’s campaign and sending them to the Europa League third qualifying round.
Simon Seidl opened the scoring in the 65th minute and Emran Soglo added a second four minutes later. The goals were scored by players who had previously been on loan at Zulte Waregem. Belgian coach Wouter Vrancken, who took over Hearts in the summer after leaving Sint‑Truiden, was on the touchline for his second official match with the club.
Vrancken acknowledged the preparation gap, noting that Sturm Graz had six weeks to prepare while Hearts only had three. He said the team must retain intensity and look to rebuild confidence as they head into the Europa League, where they will face the winner of the St Gallen‑Benfica tie.
Entities: Emran Soglo · Heart of Midlothian FC · SK Sturm Graz · Simon Seidl · Sturm Graz · Wouter Vrancken
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Wouter Vrancken coached Hearts in his second official match as manager. (Hearts)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Hearts lost 0-2 at home to Sturm Graz in the second leg. (Hearts)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Hearts will enter the Europa League third qualifying round and face the winner of the St Gallen‑Benfica tie. (55f50d41-8435-4db9-aa8b-a7aee6c5c5c5, bd67f372-8586-4bee-9fe7-990441aff7ac, 729275d6-0734-4eee-bf2b-1048d83ee10a)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The match against Sturm Graz was Vrancken's second official game in charge of Hearts. (55f50d41-8435-4db9-aa8b-a7aee6c5c5c5, bd67f372-8586-4bee-9fe7-990441aff7ac, 729275d6-0734-4eee-bf2b-1048d83ee10a)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Wouter Vrancken became Hearts' head coach in the summer after leaving Sint‑Truiden. (55f50d41-8435-4db9-aa8b-a7aee6c5c5c5, bd67f372-8586-4bee-9fe7-990441aff7ac, 729275d6-0734-4eee-bf2b-1048d83ee10a)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Emran Soglo scored the second goal for Sturm Graz four minutes after Seidl's goal. (55f50d41-8435-4db9-aa8b-a7aee6c5c5c5, bd67f372-8586-4bee-9fe7-990441aff7ac, 729275d6-0734-4eee-bf2b-1048d83ee10a)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Vrancken said Hearts prepared for the tie with three weeks of training while Sturm Graz had six weeks. (55f50d41-8435-4db9-aa8b-a7aee6c5c5c5, bd67f372-8586-4bee-9fe7-990441aff7ac, 729275d6-0734-4eee-bf2b-1048d83ee10a)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Simon Seidl scored the opening goal for Sturm Graz in the 65th minute. (55f50d41-8435-4db9-aa8b-a7aee6c5c5c5, bd67f372-8586-4bee-9fe7-990441aff7ac, 729275d6-0734-4eee-bf2b-1048d83ee10a)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The aggregate score of the two legs was 6-0 in favor of Sturm Graz, eliminating Hearts from the Champions League. (55f50d41-8435-4db9-aa8b-a7aee6c5c5c5, bd67f372-8586-4bee-9fe7-990441aff7ac, 729275d6-0734-4eee-bf2b-1048d83ee10a)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Hearts lost 0-2 to Sturm Graz in the second leg of the Champions League second qualifying round. (55f50d41-8435-4db9-aa8b-a7aee6c5c5c5, bd67f372-8586-4bee-9fe7-990441aff7ac, 729275d6-0734-4eee-bf2b-1048d83ee10a)