Austria beat Estonia 2-1 in European Championship qualifiers in Linz

“Oh, how beautiful that is,” sang the 16,500 fans in the sold-out Raiffeisen Arena in Linz after Austria’s national soccer team had secured the important 2-1 (0-1) victory over Estonia in the European Championship qualifier. Michael Gregoritsch, who seemed to become the unlucky guy of the evening, is suddenly the match winner. In the 88th minute, Karol Mets deflected a shot from the Freiburg legionnaire into an untenable path. Collective sigh of relief. The Gugl was worth a trip, the red-white-red team goes into the important showdown with the larger calibers Belgium (June 17th in Brussels) and Sweden (June 20th in Vienna) with the maximum of six points.

But not all that glittered was gold. A gmahde Wies’n looks different. The ÖFB team had more trouble in coach Ralf Rangnick’s anniversary international match – it was his tenth (5 wins, 1 draw, 4 defeats) – than would have been expected against a No. 109 in the FIFA world rankings. This was also due to the fact that the starting eleven changed in three positions compared to the 4-1 win against Azerbaijan – debutant Daniliuc defended instead of the injured Gernot Trauner, Stefan Posch replaced Maximilian Wöber, Dejan Ljubicic the ailing Marcel Sabitzer – three top chances of one had let go of an early lead.

After 17 minutes, a 3-0 would not have been surreal. Wolfsburg legionnaire Patrick Wimmer, who was as fast as an arrow, put the ball next to the empty goal (3rd). Seconds later, a Baumgartner-Stanglpass missed striker Michael Gregoritsch, who was supposed to take a penalty in the 17th minute after being fouled in the penalty area. Not a good idea. The 28-year-old hit the ball hard against the crossbar.

Kainz brought the change

Pretty bitter, because this missed shot temporarily inhibited the flow of the game. The red-white-red team fought really bravely up to the last second, they were dominant and active in pressing, but the precision left a bit to be desired against the Estonian stronghold. The Balts, on the other hand, were able to set pinpricks again and again with long balls and their air superiority. This was also the case in the 25th minute. Neither Christoph Baumgartner nor Nicolas Seiwald could defend a 50-metre free-kick with a header. To make matters worse, attacker Rauno Sappinen was free and nailed the ball into the net to make it 0:1. Who would have thought? It took more – and more came. Also from the bank.

After a change of sides, Rangnick replaced the fit captain David Alaba, who was playing his 99th country match. Junior Adamu came for Dejan Ljubicic and after about an hour Florian Kainz for Wimmer. 1. FC Köln’s “winged car” brought a lot of momentum and a turning point. In the 68th minute, Kainz switched the quickest after a Posch shot that was briefly deflected and scored the 1:1 (68th) – goal number 1 in the 23rd country match. This goal was in the air after Baumgartner (63′) and Kainz (64′) had knocked on the door. One point is better than none, but it should be three. Thanks to Gregory.

“The relief is great, we had to work hard for this success,” said Kainz after the 2-1.

Austria 2-1 Estonia (0-1)

Linz, Raiffeisen Arena, 16,500 spectators (sold out), SR Jorgji (ALB)

Gates: 0: 1 (26th) Sappinen, 1: 1 (68th) Kainz, 2: 1 (88th) Gregory

Austria: Lindner – Posch (82nd Onisiwo), Daniliuc (46th Alaba), Danso, Mwene – Laimer, Seiwald, D. Ljubicic (46th Adamu) – Baumgartner (92nd Schmid), Gregoritsch, Wimmer (61st Kainz)

Estonia: Hein – Paskotsi, Tamm, Mets – Sinyavskiy, K. Vassiljev, Käit, Miller (78. Shein), Pikk (91. Tunjov) – Zenjov (91. Reinkort), Sappinen (84. Ojamaa)

Yellow cards: none or Paskotsi, Käit, Sinyavskiy