Fenerbahçe beats Sturm Graz in Europa League, advances to playoffs

ISTANBUL

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Fenerbahçe eliminated Sturm Graz 3-2 on aggregate in the two sides’ UEFA Europa League third qualifying round match in Istanbul on Aug. 3.    
   
The Istanbul club managed to draw 1-1 at Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium, moving on to the playoff round in the second-tier European competition.      
  
Fenerbahçe scored its first goal in the 32nd minute, when two new signings connected swiftly to deliver a header. Mathieu Valbuena assisted with a cross to Nabil Dirar who moved Fenerbahçe 1-0 ahead.        

The second half saw a much more resilient Sturm Graz side as the Austrian club equalized in the 66th minute. Philipp Huspek calmly finished with a low driven shot, beating goalkeeper Volkan Demirel.        

Fenerbahçe held on for the remainder of the match, moving on to the playoff round.        

The playoff draw will be held on Aug. 4 at 11:00GMT.