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Groundhopper Guide to SK Rapid Wien
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West Ham opened their Europa League group stage action with a 2-0 road win over Dinamo Zagreb, and now the Irons return to London Stadium for their first home contest of the competition. Groundhopper Soccer Guides introduces you to their opponent, SK Rapid Wien of the Austrian Bundesliga.
Rapid Vienna have played in 10 of the last 12 Europa Leagues. (Image: Эдгар Брещанов, CC BY-SA 3.0 GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons)
Introduction to Sportklub Rapid Wien
Officially named SK Rapid Wien but commonly known as Rapid Vienna, the Green-Whites play in country’s capital in the Austrian Bundesliga. The club won the very first league title back in 1911-12, and have gone on to win a record 32 championships.
Rapid Vienna History
The club was founded in 1897, and renamed SK Rapid Wien in 1899. They donned their now famous green and white colors in 1904. They went on to win the first two national championships of Austrian football (1911-12 and 1912-13) and then three in a row (1919-21).
Rapid Vienna have finished in second place in each of the last two years in the Austrian Bundesliga. Their last league title was in 2007-08.
Rapid Vienna are playing in the Europa League for the 10th time in the last 12 years. Last year they finished third in group stage action, falling to Arsenal twice, and most recently reached the knockout stage in 2018-19.
Rapid Vienna’s Stadium, Allianz Stadium
With a seating capacity of 28,000, Allianz Stadium opened in 2016 with a preseason friendly against Chelsea. The ground is on the site of the former Gerhard Hanappi Stadium, which served as Rapid Vienna’s home from 1977-2014.
Allianz Stadium in Vienna. (Image: Linie29, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
The City of Vienna, Austria
Vienna is the capital and largest city in Austria with 2.6 million residents, nearly one-third of the country’s population. It is also the second-largest German-speaking city in the world after Berlin.
Located in the eastern part of Austria, it is close to the borders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
Vienna serves as the host city to many international organizations, including the United Nations. It is also known as the City of Music, as both Beethoven and Mozart called Vienna home.
Graben Street in Vienna. (Image: ASaber91, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
2021-2022 Europa League Schedule
Group A – Rapid Vienna, West Ham United, Genk (Belgium), Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
Here at the matchups between Rapid Vienna and West Ham United:
- September 30 – at West Ham – West Ham won 2-0
- November 25 – at Rapid Vienna
Have a complete look at the 2023-24 Europa League Schedule.
How to Watch the UEFA Europa League in the U.S.
Watch soccer, including the Europa League, on Paramount+
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Watching a match at London Stadium between West Ham and Rapid Wien would be OK. But, watching the same match in Vienna at Rapid Wien’s stadium would be pure fun. One end is given over to the Ultras, 500 plus ultra supporters. Two podiums in front of the stand, a guy with a megaphone on each. Chants, singings, drums – the usual. But, they also have a gigantic flag the same size as their end stand. Watching it unfurl is a sight. They are also allowed flares. One match had 6 guys with brilliant flares across the front. The flares, which produced smoke to the top of the seats, were in the colours of the flag. The smoke was so thick that you could not see the people in the stands behind. Lasted a good five minutes. They also have ponchos on the seats and at certain times in the match, these ultra fans don the ponchos, displaying various sayings. Saw two matches there this summer: simply brilliant fun.