The double in Ried: First the freestyle, then the compulsory for Austria’s U21 team

International match double in the Rieder Innviertel Arena: Before Austria’s under-21 national football team sets its sights on a mandatory win on the way to the EURO against Cyprus, the bottom team in qualifying group H, on Tuesday (6 p.m., ORF Sport+), There will be a highly informative dress rehearsal on Friday (8:30 p.m., ORF Sport+). Denmark is a test opponent that will demand everything from Werner Gregoritsch’s protégés.

“Very organized, disciplined, players with incredibly great individual class,” says the 65-year-old from Graz about the opponent, who will appear with three players from the red-white-red Bundesliga. We’re talking about Maurits Kjaergaard (Red Bull Salzburg) as well as Mika Biereth and William Böving (both SK Sturm Graz).

France makes you want more

“Denmark is a real test and has built up a reputation as a real top team over the years. Our goal is to go to the EURO. Only such calibers are waiting for us there,” explained Gregoritsch. A significant improvement compared to the most recent two duels is necessary. In 2018, the red-white-red team went down 5-0, and in 2019 there was a 3-1 defeat.

“We need to gain self-confidence. We need that against Cyprus, but also patience. There are no longer any opponents against whom you can score five or six goals in passing,” emphasized Gregoritsch. How good his team around captain and Como legionnaire Matthias Braunöder can be was proven in the sensational 2-0 win against France in mid-November.

We need to build on this. “We’re definitely not going to take it easy, we’re going to play for a win against Denmark. That’s what the coaching team is showing us,” said Austria striker Romeo Vucic.

After the 0-1 defeat against Kosovo, Austria’s U19s only have minimal chances of a European Championship ticket, Slovenia and Spain have to be defeated. The U17s, on the other hand, started their qualification successfully – 2-0 against Slovenia.