Hearts prepares for challenging European ties pending Sturm Graz outcome
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 20, 2026, 1:39 PM
Last updated Jul 20, 2026
Hearts is set to face a significant European challenge if they advance past Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying. Should they succeed, their next opponents are likely to be either Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze. If they fall to Sturm Graz, they would shift to the Europa League, with Benfica or St Gallen potentially awaiting them. Fenerbahce is expected to present a formidable challenge, boasting several high-profile players. Hearts, under coach Wouter Vrancken, is aiming to return to European group stage competition after a tough road ahead.
- •Hearts faces Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying.
- •Fenerbahce and Gornik Zabrze are potential next opponents.
- •Hearts may face Benfica or St Gallen in the Europa League if eliminated.
- •German coach Marco Silva has taken over at Benfica.
- •Wouter Vrancken aims to guide Hearts back to European group stages.
- 11:20 PMYahoo Sports — Hearts face uphill battle after 4-0 loss to Sturm Graz
- 8:33 AMYahoo Sports — Hearts will be quietly confident - McGowan
- 1:39 PMYahoo Sports — Hearts face daunting European task regardless of Sturm Graz result
"Hearts will be placing a "massive emphasis" on Europe, says former defender Ryan McGowan, as the club prepares for a first Champions League qualifier in 20 years. The Edinburgh side are in Austria for the first leg of their second round contest with Sturm Graz. Victory would set up a meeting with either Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze and provide a guarantee of reaching the league phase of the Europa League.
"Hearts will meet Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze if they get past Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying. If Hearts lose to Austrian side Sturm, the winners of the tie between Benfica and St Gallen of Switzerland await in the Europa League.
"Hearts face an uphill battle to keep their Champions League hopes alive after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Sturm Graz in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie.Wouter Vrancken's first m...
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 21, 2026, 11:20 PMHearts face uphill battle after 4-0 loss to Sturm Graz
Hearts face an uphill battle to keep their Champions League hopes alive after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Sturm Graz in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie.Wouter Vrancken's first m...
- Yahoo SportsJul 21, 2026, 8:33 AMHearts will be quietly confident - McGowan
Hearts will be placing a "massive emphasis" on Europe, says former defender Ryan McGowan, as the club prepares for a first Champions League qualifier in 20 years. The Edinburgh side are in Austria for the first leg of their second round contest with Sturm Graz. Victory would set up a meeting with either Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze and provide a guarantee of reaching the league phase of the Europa League.
- Yahoo SportsJul 20, 2026, 1:39 PMHearts face daunting European task regardless of Sturm Graz result
Hearts will meet Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze if they get past Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying. If Hearts lose to Austrian side Sturm, the winners of the tie between Benfica and St Gallen of Switzerland await in the Europa League.
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