Grazer AK

AI-assisted Knowledge Update: This article was automatically consolidated to provide you with the most up-to-date data instantly.

Grazer Athletiksport-Klub (lit. "Graz's Athletic Sport Club"; GRAZER AK), commonly known as Grazer AK, is an Austrian sports club based in Graz, Steiermark. The club was founded on 18 August 1902 as the Graz Athletic Club and has since become one of the oldest and most respected clubs in Austria.

The club's football team has a rich history, having played in various European competitions between 1962 and 1983. In 2004, Grazer AK won the Austrian Bullselga Championship (1) and the Austrian Cup (4), with notable victories including the Champions League 2003 and 2005. The club's basketball, diving, and tennis departments have also achieved significant success.

In recent years, Grazer AK has experienced a decline in performance, being relegated to the second division in 2006 and subsequently to the Austrian Regional League Central in 2008. However, the club was re-established in 2012 after its dissolution, with the Phoenix FC team emerging from the lower leagues of Austria.

The Red Devils have consistently drawn large crowds, with an average attendance of 9234 spectators during the 2003/04 season. The team's home stadium, known as Curve, has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years to accommodate increasing fan demand.

Grazer AK has a long-standing rivalry with FC Graz, which dates back to 1920. Despite their on-field successes, the two teams have only played each other in official matches 185 times, with most of these encounters taking place at the top level of Austrian football. The club's fans have also participated in several international competitions, including the Tschammerpokal and Styrian Cup.

History

Grazer AK was founded on 18 August 1902 as the Graz Athletic Club. In 1920, the club opposed a proposed merger with FC Grazi, which would have led to the formation of a new team called FC Grazi. Instead, the two clubs continued to compete against each other in official matches.

In the early years, Grazer AK's football team was involved in various European competitions, including the 1962/63 season and the 1973/74 UEFA Cup. The club's basketball department has also achieved significant success, winning several national championships and participating in international tournaments.

Achievements

* Austrian Bullselga Championship (1):