Sturm Graz are one of Austria’s established names, founded in 1909 and based at Stadion Graz-Liebenau. Their 2026-27 campaign took them through the Bundesliga and the Champions League second qualifying round, with a squad of 29 players and an average age of 23.
Their league form closed steadily rather than spectacularly: wins over Rapid Vienna and TSV Hartberg followed four straight 1-1 draws, including away to Red Bull Salzburg. They were more persuasive on the road than at home, averaging 2.1 goals scored away compared with 1.1 at Stadion Graz-Liebenau, while conceding 1.1 per match in both settings.
Otar Kiteishvili carried the main scoring weight with 19 goals. Seedy Jatta added six, while Tomi Horvat and Maurice Malone each contributed four. Sturm also showed a habit of starting sharply, scoring the first goal inside 20 minutes in seven of 18 league matches.
For Celtic supporters, Sturm Graz profile as a young, capable Austrian side with useful away threat and a clear attacking reference point in Kiteishvili. They are not a novelty opponent, but neither are they a side that needs dressing up beyond the evidence.
