Sturm Graz were held to a 1-1 draw by Croatian lower-league side HNK Orijent 1919 in an International Club Friendly on January 17, 2025. This result, following a loss to Rijeka, marks a disappointing preseason outing for the Austrian Bundesliga team. Sturm Graz took the lead early, as expected, but failed to capitalize on their dominance and put the game to bed. HNK Orijent, showing tremendous grit, grew into the match and found a deserved equalizer in the second half. The draw will raise questions about Sturm Graz's sharpness in front of goal, while it represents a fantastic result and experience for the semi-professional players of Orijent.