Image: GEPA pictures/Christian Moser (GEPA pictures)
“Oh, how beautiful that is” and “Austria again and again” – these chants were sung in the stands of the Innviertel Arena on Friday evening around 8:15 p.m. At this point the sensation was certain. Austria’s U21 national team celebrated a small sensation with a 2-0 win in the European Championship qualification against France, second in the world rankings. With seven points from four rounds, the Austrians are now back in the race for a ticket to the 2025 European Championship.
Enthusiastic fans
Around 2,700 fans came to the SV Ried stadium. A not insignificant part of being able to see the top stars of the French on their feet. The market value of the starting eleven: 218 million euros. Coach Thierry Henry, a world star as a player and world and European champion, even left Bayern Munich striker Mathys Tel (worth 50 million euros) on the bench. For comparison: Austria’s starting eleven had a market value of around 14 million euros.
Money doesn’t score goals
It is well known that money – in this case market values - does not score goals: Coach Werner Gregoritsch’s home team played their role as “David” against the “Goliath” from France from the first minute. After the final whistle it was 2-0 for the Austrians, both goals were scored by Altach kicker Paul-Friedrich Koller.
There was great joy not only among the young players, but also among team boss Werner Gregoritsch (65), who after the game did a little dancing and cheering with “his boys,” as he calls the kickers, in the SV Ried Oberbank Business Club laid down.
“Werner, Werner!”
The fact that Gregoritsch feels comfortable in Ried is nothing new. Sympathy meets love in return. He was celebrated by the spectators with shouts of “Werner, Werner”. “Everyone in the stadium was waiting to see what would happen at the beginning. After the spectators saw how we acted and attacked, the atmosphere was great. We feel incredibly comfortable in Ried. It’s the ideal stadium for us, the enthusiasm of the people here is just a great thing for us,” said Gregoritsch and added: “Hardly anyone believed in us before the game. My person was also questioned. The team showed what they can do. I’m incredibly happy for the boys and my coaching team, who are doing a great job.” Gregoritsch highlighted his team’s tactical behavior: “We were good at the back, and going forward we often counter-attacked with four or five players. That gave me great pleasure.
Video: Interview with Werner Gregoritsch
“
Also qualifying final in Ried?
With seven points from four games, the Austrians are back in the race to qualify for the 2025 European Championship. The gap to France and Slovenia is two points. The Austrians are still playing against both teams. It has not yet been decided where the two remaining home games against Cyprus and Slovenia will be played. If Gregoritsch has his way, the steps for participation in the European Championship should be taken in Ried in 2024. “We can do and create something special in this stadium,” said Gregoritsch.
On Tuesday against North Macedonia
On Tuesday there will be another opportunity to watch the U21 national team perform in the friendly match against North Macedonia in the Innviertel Arena.
The game starts at 6 p.m.
My themes
For your saved topics were
new articles found.
info By clicking on the icon you can add the keyword to your topics.
info
By clicking on the icon you open your “my topics” page. They have of 15 keywords saved and would have to remove keywords.
info By clicking on the icon you can remove the keyword from your topics.
Add the topic to your topics.
Source: Nachrichten
