Sturm Graz celebrates championship title: A dream comes true after the heart-stopping final!

Sturm Graz celebrates championship title: A dream comes true after the heart-stopping final!

On May 25, 2025, SK Sturm Graz, a renowned football club from Austria, won the championship title. It is the fourth title in the club's history, having previously celebrated in 1998, 1999 and 2011. This impressive success came after an exciting heart-stopping final against WAC, which ended 1-1. President Christian Jauk described winning the title as a “small miracle” and announced “lavish bonuses” for the players who duly celebrated the triumph in front of the stadium.

Coach Jürgen Säumel, who was recently promoted from the amateurs to the Bundesliga, won the championship title in his first season as coach. “I am proud of the team,” said the coach, who named the unity and cohesion of the team as a decisive factor in the triumph. Captain Stefan Hierländer confirmed this statement and highlighted the pressure that existed during the season.

Successful season and good planning

With this championship title, SK Sturm Graz has not only secured a place in the play-off for the UEFA Champions League, which will take place on August 19th and 20th, but participation in the Europa League is also already guaranteed. Managing directors for sports and business emphasized the associated “planning security” for the club. Sports director Michael Parensen sees the title as a strong argument for the transfer market and emphasizes the unity of the team.

On the other hand, WAC President Dietmar Riegler was proud of his team despite missing out on the championship. He announced that he would continue to develop future talent. Coach Dietmar Kühbauer declared the season “very good” and was proud of his players’ achievements.

Tradition and rivalries

SK Sturm Graz was founded in 1909 and has established itself as one of the leading clubs in Austrian football. The club colors are black and white and their biggest rivalry is with Grazer AK, with whom they play their home games in the Merkur Arena. This rivalry is part of a long football tradition in Austria, closely linked to clubs such as Rapid Wien and FK Austria Wien.

In the last few decades, football in Austria has experienced an eventful history, marked by ups and downs. According to 12termann.at, football experienced its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s. The national team was also able to establish itself at various international tournaments. The development in Austrian football shows that SK Sturm Graz plays an important role not only nationally but also internationally.

With the championship title in 2024/2025, SK Sturm Graz shows that the club's proud tradition continues in the present and that the foundation for future success has been laid.