To get in the mood for EURO 2022, which begins on July 6 in Old Trafford, the “Theatre of Dreams” in Manchester, Austria’s women’s soccer team drove up to the Hofburg in a typical British double-decker bus, to be greeted warmly by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in the direction of England to become. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed that you get far. Everything is possible, but sport is sport,” said the 78-year-old.
Before the journey begins, there is still a lot to do. The most recent 4-0 test success over the completely overwhelmed world number 87. Montenegro was more compulsory than freestyle. Especially after the break – also due to eleven changes – the Werkl didn’t go as it should.
More capital should have been made from the overwhelming superiority. The brilliant ideas were missing, but there is still a little time before the EURO dress rehearsal on Sunday (5 p.m., ORF 1) in Belgium. ÖFB team boss Irene Fuhrmann knows this too, and on Monday (11 a.m., ORF Sport+) will nominate her final squad of 23 for the tournament, where England, Northern Ireland and Norway are waiting in the group phase. The 41-year-old is spoiled for choice, having to leave five players at home.
Premiere goal for Schasching
Annabel Schasching, the captain of SK Sturm, collected a bonus point in Südstadt on Tuesday. The 19-year-old midfielder from St. Aegidi scored her debut goal in her team jersey in her third international match, it was 4-0 in the 89th minute – from close range after a cross from Vöcklabruck attacker Lisa Kolb. The first to wish well was full-back Laura Wienroither from Frankenburg, the 23-year-old legionnaire from Arsenal hugged her beaming colleague, who also dreams of a commitment abroad. The EURO would be a dazzling stage to recommend yourself for higher things.
“I’m just very happy and enjoying the time with the girls,” said Schasching, the top player and top scorer in the 2021/22 Bundesliga season. “I’m still hoping to be at the EURO.”
Fuhrmann doesn’t let his cards be looked at. That’s totally okay, especially since captain Viktoria Schnaderbeck (knee problems) and Virginia Kirchberger (after breaking a tibia and fibula) are not yet at 100 percent. The Montenegro match did not allow for any big conclusions. “It wasn’t the explosiveness and tension in this game that we would have had against a strong opponent. We can’t change that,” said the ÖFB trainer.
Midfielder Sarah Zadrazil from FC Bayern sees things similarly. “It’s difficult to take out large parts in view of the European Championship because the opponent was too weak for that.”
Source: Nachrichten
