Hearts have discovered their opponents for the Champions League second qualifying round, facing a challenging matchup against Austrian side Sturm Graz. The draw, held in Nyon, Switzerland, confirmed that the Edinburgh club would take on Sturm, having previously known they would either meet the Austrian team or Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Match Schedule and Venue

The first leg of the tie is set for 21/22 July, with the return leg scheduled for 28/29 July. UEFA is expected to finalize the exact dates within the next 24 hours, advising fans to refrain from booking travel until then. Sturm Graz finished second in the Austrian Bundesliga this past season, narrowly missing out on the title to LASK Linz by just two points. While Sturm presents a formidable challenge, Hearts will be relieved to have avoided a clash with Fenerbahce.

Sturm Graz's Readiness and Squad Strength

Sturm Graz has confirmed that they will be able to host the Champions League qualifiers at their home ground, the Liebenauer Stadium, which is now known as the Merkur Arena due to sponsorship. Previously, the stadium was undergoing renovations that were expected to last until the end of July, prompting concerns about hosting their first home European match in Klagenfurt, located 83 miles south of Graz. However, the club has now announced that they can stage the match at home, with the stadium boasting a capacity of 16,364.

Hearts will face a tough test against Sturm, who feature several established international players, including Georgian midfielder Otar Kiteishvili, Bosnian defender Arjan Malic, and Polish international Filip Rozga. The team is managed by Fabio Ingolitsch, one of Austria's promising young coaches, who took charge midway through last season. Sturm Graz reached the league phase of this season’s Europa League but fell short of a knockout stage spot, finishing 26th in the table. They notably defeated Rangers 2-1 at home and lost 2-1 to Celtic away during their campaign.

This marks Hearts' return to Europe's premier club competition for the first time in 20 years. After finishing second in the Premiership, narrowly missing out on the title, they will participate in the Champions League qualifiers for the first time since 2006. The club is currently in the process of appointing a new head coach, following the departure of Derek McInnes.