Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
First Vienna came from 2-1 down to beat Grazer AK 4-2 in a pre-season friendly, with Louis Birkhahn scoring twice in seven second-half minutes.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
New signing Tobias Anselm needed just two minutes to make an impact on his First Vienna debut. The 26-year-old forward, who joined from WSG Tirol on 12 June 2026, slotted home early to put the visitors ahead.
Grazer AK responded before half-time. Striker Daniel Maderner levelled in the 42nd minute, and the hosts carried that momentum into the second half. Anderson put Grazer AK ahead in the 50th minute, turning the game on its head.
First Vienna hit back quickly. Bernhard Zimmermann restored parity in the 56th minute, setting up a frantic final half-hour. The decisive moment arrived in the 72nd minute when 20-year-old midfielder Louis Birkhahn found the net to put Vienna ahead. He struck again seven minutes later, completing his double to make it 4-2.
The Turning Point
Zimmermann’s equaliser in the 56th minute — just six minutes after Grazer AK had taken the lead — denied the hosts any chance to settle. That rapid response shifted momentum decisively Vienna’s way, and Birkhahn’s brace off the bench finished the job.
Key Performers
Louis Birkhahn (First Vienna) — The 20-year-old midfielder entered the fray and scored twice in seven minutes (72’, 79’), turning a 2-2 stalemate into a commanding win. His finishing decided the contest.
Tobias Anselm (First Vienna) — The new signing needed only 120 seconds to open his account for the club. A sharp start from a player brought in to strengthen Vienna’s attack.
Daniel Maderner (Grazer AK) — The Grazer striker scored the equaliser just before half-time and led the line well, but lacked support after the break.
By the Numbers
The game produced six goals — the joint-highest total in the four-match head-to-head history between these sides (12 goals across four meetings, averaging 3.0 per game). The first half ended 1-1, but the second half exploded into life with four goals, three of them to First Vienna. Grazer AK had won three of the previous four meetings and were unbeaten in the rivalry, but that record ended here.
What It Means
For Grazer AK, this was their first pre-season outing of the 2026-27 campaign after finishing 10th in the Austrian Bundesliga last season (9-10-13, 37 points). The defensive fragility shown after taking the lead will be a concern ahead of the new season.
First Vienna, who finished 7th in the ADMIRAL 2. Liga last season and 4th in the spring calendar-year table, showed encouraging signs. New signing Anselm scored on debut, and Birkhahn’s double provided a glimpse of the depth Hans Kleer’s side will look to build on.
Verdict
A lively pre-season contest that swung twice before First Vienna’s quality off the bench settled it. Grazer AK’s early promise evaporated after Zimmermann’s quick reply, and Birkhahn’s brace underlined the depth Vienna are building for the 2. Liga campaign ahead.
Match Events
Key match events between Grazer AK and First Vienna — 6 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Rivalry since 2022
Grazer AK vs First Vienna Head to Head Results· 4
Grazer AK and First Vienna have met 4 times — Grazer AK won 3, First Vienna won 0, with 1 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2022. Grazer AK leads the head-to-head with 3 victories from 4 meetings. A combined 12 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 3.00 per match (8 for the home side, 4 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 2 matches (50%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 2 games (50%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Grazer AK are currently unbeaten in the last 4 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 2–3 in 2023.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 8 Jul 2026