The first leg of the first UEFA Women's Europa Cup qualifying round between Gintra of Šiauliai and SK Sturm Graz took place in Graz on Wednesday.
At the nearly 17,000-capacityLiebenau Stadium, the Lithuanian champions lost in the dying moments by 1:2 (1–0 at half-time) to the hosts.
Despite the defeat, the decisive action now moves to Šiauliai. The return leg takes place on 2 September at 12:00, after which the team progressing will be known.
Starting lineup: A. Herasymchuk, M. Yancey, G. Knutzen (J. Dias 46'), S. Amorim, A. Mikutaitė, L. Kubiliūtė, M. Galkina (V. Lavreniuk 85'), T. Brown (T. Romanovskaja 71'), L. Ribeiro, J. Blaževičiūtė (E. Mideva 46'), K. Pereviznyk.
Gintra: K. Pereviznyk (20'), one.
Sturm Graz: L. Breznik (81', 90+4'), two.
Injured midfielder Anni Hakasalo was unavailable for Gintra.
The yellow and blacks had an excellent early chance to go ahead. Striker Kristina Pereviznyk went one-on-one with the goalkeeper and tried a skilful finish, but the ball went over the goal.
In the 13th minute, Gintra goalkeeper Alla Herasymchuk was called into serious action, saving a dangerous effort.
Although the opponents had more set pieces in the first 20 minutes, the Šiauliai side scored first. In the 20th minute, K. Pereviznyk beat the goalkeeper with a deceptive long-range effort to put the Lithuanian champions 1–0 ahead.
The hosts controlled possession for much of the time, but Gintra followed their game plan, defended well and launched dangerous counterattacks. Neither team scored again before half-time.
The Šiauliai side made two substitutions at the break: Elizabeth Mideva replaced Justina Blaževičiūtė, while Julia Dias came on for Gracie Knutzen.
The pattern remained largely unchanged in the second half. The hosts continued to dominate possession, but Gintra's organised defending prevented them from scoring.
The opponents had a chance to restore parity in the 75th minute, but the reliable Alla Herasymchuk denied them.
In the 81st minute, however, SK Sturm midfielder Lena Breznik found the equaliser. Her precise shot from around 16 metres went into the net for 1–1.
The fired-up Austrians created one dangerous opportunity after another as the match drew to a close, but A. Herasymchuk continued to show admirable composure.
In the final minute of stoppage time, Sturm finally brought the home crowd to their feet. L. Breznik headed in from a corner to complete her brace and give the hosts a 2–1 victory.
Tickets for the return leg in Šiauliai are available through Ticketmarket. Buy them HERE.