2:0 – Baumgartner opened the door to the European Championship very wide

You still made it! When you were already despairing after numerous missed chances, Christoph Baumgartner shot Austria’s national football team to victory in yesterday’s 2-0 (0-0) win against Sweden – and thus with one foot to the EM 2024. And this victory reminded everyone Consider the legendary match and Andi Herzog’s goal in a 1-0 win over Sweden, which opened the door to the 1998 World Cup in France.

Just like back then, the decision to make it 1-0 was made extremely late – this time even in the 81st minute. Sweden’s outstanding keeper Robin Olsen was somehow able to fend off a shot by substitute Florian Grillitsch. On the rebound, Baumgartner put the entire will of this national team into the rebound and tipped the ball under the crossbar to win.

And even after that, the atmosphere in Ernst-Happel, which was completely sold out with 46,300 spectators, was as exuberant as it is usually only at the really, really big games. For Baumgartner – whose 2-0 in the 89th minute was only cosmetic – it was the highlight of a turbulent week. The Lower Austrian is about to move to RB Leipzig. It can be assumed that the transfer fee to Hoffenheim will be more than 25 million euros – Baumgartner has overtaken Marko Arnautovic as the most expensive transfer in Austrian football history.

A rollercoaster ride

Austria’s match was a bit reminiscent of a ride on the roller coaster in the neighboring Prater. A high for the ÖFB selection was followed by another descent, in which the Swedes cleverly slowed down the game to bring the draw over time.

Austria (with Junior Adamu in the starting XI for Arnauttovic) started well and missed immediately through Adamu (5th) and Gregoritsch (6th). This was followed by the first breather before we got going again after half an hour.

At the latest after Patrick Wimmer’s shot (39′) and Gregoritsch’s header (40′), Sweden’s goalkeeper Olsen – under contract with Aston Villa in the English Premier League – was definitely the best player on the pitch.

Austria continued to press after the break after Arnautovic came on (for Adamu). You pressed higher – and you ran harder. But again Gregoritsch despaired with a header (47th) and Wöber (48th) at Olsen. However, the Swedes again managed to take the pace out of the game.

Only when Grillitsch, who assisted to make it 1-0, did the game turn around again – and this time it finally went to Austria’s side. The seven point lead (in one game more) over the third Swedes is impressive.