Austria’s soccer fans can look forward to an attractive summer for international matches with six top matches in June and September 2022. The old internationals Robert Pires (Fra) and Gaizka Mendieta (Esp) acted as “lucky guys” in yesterday’s (by the way, failure-free) draw in Nyon and gave the red-white-red team in the elite category of the UEFA Nations League France not only the defending champion in this young competition, but also the reigning world champion.
The Equipe Tricolore around superstars like Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe crowned themselves in the 2018 World Cup final in Russia with a 4-2 triumph over the Croatians, who will also meet Austria in Group 1.
The third caliber, EURO semi-finalist Denmark, brings back unpleasant memories. The ÖFB selection was defeated by the Scandinavians in the past World Cup qualification 0: 4 and 0: 1. Much to the chagrin of ÖFB team boss Franco Foda. “I would have wished for a different team instead of Denmark. But it is also a chance to take revenge because we have beaten ourselves,” he said.
“Big Challenges”
The alternatives to “Danish Dynamite” would have been Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands. An easy lot could be ruled out at this level. Just look at the “hammer group” 3, which includes Hungary, Italy, Germany and England.
“It’s an interesting group with great challenges for us. We’re looking forward to it, we want to take one or two points with us,” said Foda aggressively.
The minimum goal must be the third group rank, which guarantees relegation. To reach the final 4 tournament in June 2023, you need first place.
That the French and Croatians are not inviolable was shown this year at the EURO. The last sixteen was the end of the line – for the former in the penalty thriller against Switzerland, for the latter in extra time against Spain.
Austria’s balance sheets against the group counterparties can be expanded. There were five defeats in five games against Croatia and no competitive game against Denmark. France was beaten nine times in 23 games – most recently in Vienna in 2008 with 3-1 in the World Cup qualifiers. To a new one?
Source: Nachrichten
