Bad Wimsbach and Wels are the venues for the final phase of football qualifiers for the women’s U19 European Championship finals, which will take place in the Czech Republic from June 26th to July 9th. Only the winners of the elimination tournament with Austria, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Norway buy a ticket. The Scandinavians are the big favourites. Nevertheless, the red-white-red team, in which the 18-year-old Innviertler Isabell Schneiderbauer from Upper Austria League Champion LASK is, dares to surprise with the tailwind of the fans.
A lot will depend on the outcome of today’s opening game (6 p.m., live stream on ÖFB TV) against Bulgaria in Bad Wimsbach. “The fact that we can prepare in a familiar environment and play in front of our own audience, our friends, parents and relatives can be a decisive factor,” emphasized ÖFB head coach Hannes Spilka, who remains calm in person despite seven cancellations. “We are a perfectly coordinated team. We have the ability to create this little sensation if we stick together and throw everything in.”
Actually, the home event should have taken place in Lindabrunn and Traiskirchen in April, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine forced it to be postponed. The U19s from the war-torn country shouldn’t lose their sporting chance at the European Championships. Now the blue and yellow selection has been given the green light – much to the delight of Spilka. “It’s a great sign that the Ukrainians can be there. Hopefully taking part in the tournament will give them some sense of normalcy, at least for a few days.” Austria meets Ukraine on Friday (6 p.m.) in Bad Wimsbach and Norway on Monday (6 p.m.) in the Welser Huber Arena.
Just missed out on the championship
In the English Super League, Arsenal were just a point shy of the title that Chelsea won. In the end, the “Gunners” won 2-0 at West Ham with goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger. The Franconian Laura Wienroither was a replacement.
Source: Nachrichten
