Fenerbahçe Beat Sturm Graz, Moving Closer to a Possible Champions League Clash with Sparta

Turkish side Fenerbahçe Istanbul claimed a 2:0 win over Austria's Sturm Graz in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round. Roared on by a raucous home crowd, the hosts scored both goals before the break.

Talisca opened the scoring after latching onto a through ball from Aktürkoğlu, dancing past two defenders before coolly slotting home. The second goal came from Greenwood, who caught the opposing goalkeeper off guard with a surprise strike from around twenty meters out.

A Star-Studded Turkish Squad

Fenerbahçe, runners-up in the Turkish league in each of the last five seasons, boast a roster packed with big names, including goalkeeper Ederson, midfielder Marco Asensio, and defender Milan Škriniar. The Istanbul giants further strengthened the squad over the summer with the additions of defender Nathan Aké and forward Greenwood. In the second qualifying round, Fenerbahçe brushed aside Poland's Górnik Zabrze.

Sturm Graz, also runners-up in their domestic league last season, handled Scotland's Hearts comfortably in the previous round, winning 4:0 at home and 2:0 away.

What This Means for Sparta

Prague's Sparta will kick off the final qualifying round of Europe's elite club competition with an away leg on August 18 or 19. The return fixture will be played a week later at Letná in Prague. Should the Czech runners-up fail to get past Lyon in the third round, they will drop directly into the Europa League league phase.

Czech champions Slavia Prague have already secured their spot in the Champions League league phase, qualifying automatically by virtue of their domestic title.

Read also: Prague metro: map and tickets

Around Prague, based on reporting by sport.cz