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Hearts to meet Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying

2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 10:20 AM

Last updated Jun 17, 2026

Hearts to meet Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying

Summary

Heart of Midlothian will face Austrian club Sturm Graz in the second round of Champions League qualifying. The first leg will take place on July 21 or 22, with the return match scheduled for the following midweek. Hearts qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years after finishing second in the Scottish Premiership. Sturm Graz also finished second in their league, behind LASK. Hearts are expected to have a new head coach by the time the matches occur, as current coach Derek McInnes is likely to move to Rangers soon.

Source Links

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Key Details

•Hearts face Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying.
•First leg set for July 21 or 22.
•Hearts qualified after finishing second in the Scottish Premiership.
•Sturm Graz finished second in their domestic league.
•New management expected at Hearts before the matches.

Latest Updates

5:02 PMYahoo Sports — Scotland's Hearts paired with Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying. Fenerbahce gets Gornik
10:20 AMYahoo Sports — Hearts to face Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying
10:20 AMBBC Sport — Hearts to face Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying

What they're saying

"
After a devastating final-game loss in the Scottish Premiership, Heart of Midlothian’s longer path toward the lucrative Champions League will start in Austria in July. Hearts was paired with Sturm Graz in the draw Wednesday for the second qualifying round, needing to advance through three rounds to play in the 36-team league phase starting in September. Scottish champion Celtic, which beat long-time leader Hearts in the final game last month, will start in the qualifying playoffs round in late August.
— Yahoo Sports