A MEETING WITH Austrian outfit Sturm Graz will be the reward for Dundalk if the Lilywhites can get the better of AEK Larnaca tomorrow.
Sturm Graz will move into the third qualifying round of the Europa League after being eliminated from the Champions League this evening by Ajax.
Having lost 2-0 in their first leg against the Dutch side last week, Sturm Graz were comfortably beaten 3-1 in tonight’s home leg at the Merkur Arena.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored twice and Dusan Tadic was also on target as Ajax recorded a 5-1 aggregate victory to set up a clash with Standard Liege. A late own goal from Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana was scant consolation for the hosts.
Sturm Graz will now face the winners of the tie between AEK Larnaca and Dundalk, the second leg of which takes place in Cyprus tomorrow at 4.30pm Irish time. The contest is evenly poised after a goalless draw at Oriel Park last Thursday.
The first leg of the third qualifying round clash will be played in Graz on Thursday of next week, 9 August, with the second leg set for 16 August.
Sturm Graz, who have never before faced Irish opposition in Europe, finished second to RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga last season.
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Great to see him back. He is a match winner on his day.