Tenacious performance allows Heidenheim fairytale European debut
After beating Sweden’s BK Häcken to progress to the group stages of their first ever European competition, Heidenheim were looking to get off to a fairytale start with three points against NK Olimpija.
The team from the Slovenian capital would appear to be no pushover however, coming into the game in red hot form after 16 games unbeaten in all competitions.
Regardless of the outcome, it was set to be a historic evening for Frank Schmidt and his plucky underdog side.
FAIRYTALE OPENER
And it did not take long for FCH to get off to the dream start they were hoping for.
After just 5 minutes, some nimble footwork from Adrian Beck allowed him to sidestep Marcel Ratnik in the Olimpija penalty area and convert into the bottom corner for Heidenheim’s first ever European goal.
The debutants almost added to their tally shortly after when Maximilian Breunig outmuscled the Olimpija centre backs to find a way through, but had his shot blocked from close range.
HEIDENHEIM GO CLOSE AGAIN
In the 34th minute, Heidenheim very nearly doubled their lead, after a bouncing strike from Leo Scienza struck the post from distance. Only moments later, Olimpija goalkeeper Matevž Vidovšek then managed to deny Omar Traoré by tipping his low shot around the post.
The Slovenian side’s best chance of the first half came when winger Dino Kojić managed to get in behind the Heidenheim defence, but some robust defending from Lennard Maloney and keeper Kevin Müller prevented him a clear sight of goal.
OLIMPIJA EQUALISE
Olimpija started the second half very brightly, with striker Raul Florucz running through on goal early on, only to be denied by a fantastically timed slide tackle from Tim Siersleben.
In the 77th minute, mere seconds after Sirlord Conteh had had the ball in the net and a goal disallowed for a foul in the build up, Olimpija equalised with a goal made far too simple by the hosts.
Marko Brest managed to beat Maloney very easily down the left wing and provide a perfect cross for fellow substitute Álex Blanco, who guided his header into an empty net.
GRABBING THE WINNER
However, all hope was not lost for Heidenheim, as Peter Agba clumsily allowed the ball to strike his arm in the Olimpija penalty area. After much protest and a booking for Olimpija manager Victor Sánchez, 18-year old Paul Wanner stepped up. Despite seeing his first attempt saved, the teenager converted at the second time of asking to send the home fans into pandemonium.
It appeared that Heidenheim were to be awarded a second penalty almost immediately after, when a shot struck the arm of Ahmet Muhamedbegović, but the referee decided against it upon review.
Despite a heart-in-mouth moment which saw an instance of pinball result in a last-minute chance to equalise for Pedro Lucas, Heidenheim managed to cling on to edge out a close contest 2-1 and secure what will forever be remembered as an historic victory.