Ermedin Demirovic etched his name into VfB Stuttgart folklore by scoring a hat-trick in the Champions League opener against Viking Stavanger, becoming the first player in the club's European history to achieve the feat. The 28-year-old Bosnian striker delivered a clinical performance, netting three goals in 12 minutes during a commanding first-half display that gave Stuttgart a 3-1 victory.
Demirovic's extraordinary display unfolded rapidly across the opening half. He struck in the 20th minute to give Stuttgart the lead, doubled the advantage in the 26th minute, and completed his hat-trick just six minutes later at the 32-minute mark. The trio of goals stemmed from precise team play, with Angelo Stiller and Deniz Undav—who provided two assists—orchestrating the attacking moves that allowed the forward to finish with clinical efficiency.
From Substitute to Starter
The selection of Demirovic proved particularly shrewd by manager Sebastian Hoeneß. Prior to this Champions League fixture, the forward had appeared in only two Bundesliga matches off the bench, accumulating just 47 minutes of playing time. Hoeneß had recently witnessed Demirovic's impact during Stuttgart's 4-1 demolition of 1. FC Köln, where the striker came off the bench and scored. The coach's decision to hand him a starting role paid immediate dividends. "Medo will play a good role for us this year," Hoeneß told DAZN before kickoff. "He is an important player for us and that's why it simply makes sense to start rotating from time to time."
The crowd recognized the magnitude of the occasion when Demirovic departed the pitch in the 62nd minute, replaced by new signing Dzenan Pejcinovic. Stuttgart supporters delivered a thunderous ovation as the goalscorer walked toward the touchline, acknowledging an evening of remarkable individual brilliance. The final scoreline of 3-1 secured a commanding start to Stuttgart's European campaign, with Demirovic's historic contribution setting the tone for what lies ahead in their continental challenge.
