The ÖFB squad lost 2-1 in a duel between two European Championship starters against Denmark in Wiener Neustadt on Saturday afternoon. In a repeat of the EM 2017 semi-final, Bayern Munich’s Sarah Zadrazil (29′) took the lead, while Chelsea striker Pernille Harder (65′) and Sofie Junge Pedersen (75′) turned the game around.
The Danes were a real indicator, as ÖFB team boss Irene Fuhrmann had emphasized in advance. In front of a crowd of 1,150, they showed Austria that work is still needed to be ready in just over three weeks for the finals opener against England on 6 July at Manchester’s packed Old Trafford. However, with the top striker Nicole Billa, who was not quite fit after an illness, Laura Feiersinger or the ÖFB record player Sarah Puntigam, who joined the ÖFB team late, other very important players were missing.
As in 2017 in Breda, the ÖFB selection lost out in the fight for the European Championship final against Denmark, at that time only a penalty shoot-out (3-0) after a zero number had brought the decision. The test marked the end of the first preparatory training camp, from June 17 captain Viktoria Schnaderbeck and Co. will meet again in Bad Tatzmannsdorf. Then on June 22nd there is a game against Montenegro in Maria Enzersdorf and four days later in Belgium the dress rehearsal for the European Championship.
Zadrazil puts the ÖFB team in the lead
The Danes, coached by Lars Söndergaard, started with a lot of pressure and immediately put a lot of work into the ÖFB defence, which mostly operated with a five-man chain. After a mistake by the guests themselves, the quick home 1-0 almost fell. A haze shot didn’t find its way into the goal (6′). In the 19th minute, Katharina Naschenweng was just prevented from finishing after a nice combination. In this phase, the ÖFB selection shifted mainly to counterattacking and was subsequently successful.
Lisa Kolb, who was called up as a striker, broke away from her opponent, served Marie-Therese Höbinger, who played ideally into Zadrazil’s run and the Germany legionnaire completed the ball with an overview into the far corner (29th). From this point at the latest, the home side had a better grip on the opponent, who had significantly more possession of the ball. Only shortly before the break was twice the equalizer in the air. Manuela Zinsberger saved a Boye header (40′) and Pedersen shot over it from a good position (45′ + 1′).
Not a good omen before the EM
The Danes picked up the momentum after the break, the only shortcoming for the time being was the conversion of chances. Ironically, top star Harder lacked the callousness in the end, the striker failed twice at Zinsberger (48th, 62nd), once she missed the goal by a hair’s breadth (57th). The 29-year-old did not want to miss the fourth opportunity, she hit the corner after a hole pass. In addition, Pedersen headed in quite unchallenged at the long corner after a corner.
Naschenweng came close to equalizing with a free kick just over the goal (86′) and “Jokerin” Katharina Schiechtl, who hit the post with a head (94′). Austria could not provide a good omen with regard to the European Championship. Before the summer fairy tale of 2017, there had been a 4-2 win in a test against Denmark in Wiener Neustadt. Instead of triumphing again, there was a defeat for the third time in the fifth meeting.
Source: Nachrichten
