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Friendlies ClubsSeason 2026

Sturm Graz vs Kalsdorf

8 July 2026 at 17:00
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Sturm Graz came from behind to beat SC Kalsdorf 4-1 in a pre-season friendly at Messendorf, with Włodarczyk, Mitchell, Lazarre and Camara scoring after Fuchs' early opener.

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How it unfolded

Kalsdorf struck first through Christoph Fuchs, who beat the Sturm offside trap and slotted home inside two minutes. The lead lasted only three minutes: Szymon Włodarczyk prodded home from close range in the fifth minute after a cross from the right, restoring parity before the home crowd had time to fret.

Sturm took control midway through the half. Costa Rican defender Jeyland Mitchell — one of the Bundesliga side's standout performers in 2025/26 — rose highest to meet a set-piece delivery and powered a header past Kalsdorf goalkeeper Schögl in the 21st minute.

Head coach Fabio Ingolitsch made a full XI change at half-time, a routine approach in pre-season to distribute minutes across the squad. The second unit maintained the tempo. Forward Wisler Lazarre stretched the lead to 3-1 in the 51st minute with a composed finish, and midfielder Amady Camara added the fourth in the 58th minute, latching onto a loose ball inside the box.


The turning point

Włodarczyk's instant equaliser in the fifth minute. Fuchs' early goal had given Kalsdorf a platform to frustrate the Bundesliga side, but Sturm's Polish striker wiped out the advantage within 180 seconds. From that moment, the gap in class reasserted itself and Kalsdorf never led again.


Key performers

Szymon Włodarczyk — the 22-year-old forward scored the equaliser that steadied Sturm after the early setback. His movement in the box remains a key weapon for Ingolitsch as the new season approaches.

Jeyland Mitchell — Costa Rica's World Cup defender scored a commanding header from a set piece and looked comfortable alongside Albert Vallci in the first-half centre-back pairing.

Wisler Lazarre — the Haitian winger scored the pivotal third goal five minutes into the second half, effectively killing the contest on his first appearance of the pre-season campaign.

Amady Camara — the midfielder capped a lively second-half display with Sturm's fourth goal, showing good instincts to react first to a loose ball in the area.


By the numbers — interpreted

Sturm made a complete XI change at half-time and also replaced the injured Muhammed Jatta (32nd minute, substituted by Adis Beganović). Jatta's early departure was the only negative note on an otherwise controlled evening. Kalsdorf, who play in Austria's third-tier Regionalliga Süd, created one clear chance — Fuchs' opener — and were largely pinned back thereafter. The 350 spectators in Messendorf witnessed Sturm generate a steady flow of chances across both halves, though Ingolitsch noted post-match that his side "converted too few" of them.


What it means

This was Sturm's fourth pre-season friendly, following matches against NŠ Mura, LNZ Cherkasy and FC Košice. The win continues their build-up to competitive action, which begins with a Champions League qualification tie later this month. Sturm face J1 League side Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 11 July, followed by Pogoń Szczecin on 15 July, both at Messendorf. Kalsdorf's next friendly was not confirmed at time of writing; they face LASK in the first round of the ÖFB Cup.


Verdict

A routine pre-season workout that served its purpose. Sturm's response to the early goal was professional, and the squad rotation gave Ingolitsch minutes to assess his full group. The concern over Jatta's injury will be monitored, but the overall picture — four goals shared across four different scorers — is a positive one with Champions League qualifiers on the horizon.


Lineups

Sturm Graz (first half): Khudyakov — Heil, Vallci, Mitchell, Koller — Stanković, Weinhandl — Hödl, Seidl — Jatta (Beganović 32), Włodarczyk

Sturm Graz (second half): Helac — Nnamdi, Petrović, Haider, Soglo — Halwachs, Fosso — Camara, Lazarre — Beganović (Kayombo 75), Malone

Kalsdorf (starting XI): Schögl — Mate, Wlattnig, Huber, Leitold — Pigac, Pichler — Mathurin — Fuchs, Steinwender — Kiedl


Quotes via SK Sturm Graz official site and Ligaportal.at

Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

API data: 9 Jul 2026