With the home side already eliminated, the pressure fell on the visitors to remain in the qualification places having begun the night in 22nd place.
Despite their lowly standing, Sturm started the game in a far more positive fashion, with Tomi Horvat’s effort in the 10th minute cannoning off the right post. Brann looked to heed that warning as they improved from there, yet squandered a pair of chances to hit the front themselves.
First, Noah Holm saw his effort saved well by Daniil Khudyakov, before Felix Myhre fired a shot just inches wide. Another chance came minutes before HT, with defender Thore Pedersen going close with a headed effort from close range, but the sides ultimately couldn't be separated at HT.
Brann began the second period on the front foot as they looked to confirm their place in the knockout stages. However, it was Sturm who thought they had taken the lead when Otar Kiteishvili picked out the top corner, only for VAR to deny them a surprise lead for an offside in the build-up.
Kiteishvili had to wait just over 30 minutes for another chance, and he didn’t waste his opportunity. A deflected clearance presented itself on the half-volley for the forward to attack and he made no mistake as he netted his third of the UEL campaign to break the deadlock.
That earned Sturm’s second win of the league phase and ensured they finished on a high. Their attention returns to domestic action while Brann survived matchday eight and progressed on goal difference and other results going their way.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Fredrik Knudsen (Brann)