Rapid secure fifth place, earn Europa Cup playoff after shoe‑throw incident

Rapid Vienna secured fifth place in the Austrian Bundesliga championship group, guaranteeing a spot in the Europa Cup playoff. The outcome followed a match that featured a shoe‑throw incident, which the club labeled unacceptable. The incident led to additional minutes being played for Rapid, as officials imposed overtime after the shoe was thrown onto the field. The club’s statement emphasized that such behaviour would not be tolerated. Head coach Hoff Thorup voiced his displeasure over the unexpected absence of player Demir, suggesting the missing player affected the team’s options. Thorup’s comments highlighted the impact of the Aussetzer on the squad’s performance. Despite the defeat, Austria Wien’s camp remained upbeat, focusing on the positives that emerged from the match. The team’s attitude was described as constructive in light of the loss. The fifth‑place finish places Rapid in the Europa Cup playoff, where they will compete for a spot in the European competition. The club now turns its attention to the upcoming playoff fixtures. Looking ahead, Rapid will aim to avoid disciplinary incidents and to reinforce the squad for the playoff round, while Austria Wien prepares for its next league challenge. Both clubs are set to continue their campaigns with an eye on European qualification.