“Oh, how beautiful it is!” David Alaba was celebrated by the singing fans in the curve, Franco Foda cheered completely relaxed into the camera. A Bundesliga duo has led Austria into its first European Championship round of 16 and, exactly 43 years after the German disgrace in Cordoba, provided a new red-white-red football holiday. Thanks to the strong template provider Alaba and goalscorer Christoph Baumgartner, the team of the German coach Foda managed the much-needed victory for progressing this Monday in Bucharest with the 1-0 (1-0) against the Ukraine.
“I can’t realize it yet. My skull really hurts, ”said Baumgartner from Hoffenheim, who had to go out shortly after his decisive goal in the 21st minute as a result of a collision. “I’m happy for all of Austria, every Austrian enjoyed it. We have had a very difficult time with all the Corona filth – enjoy it all together! “
In the first knockout round, the outsider will now challenge Italy on Saturday at London’s Wembley Stadium. Ukraine has to tremble to progress as at least one of the top four thirds in the group. Also on June 21, the ÖFB selection at the 1978 World Cup with a 3-2 win over Germany and the legendary double goal scorer Hans Krankl achieved one of their greatest successes to date. The “Kronen Zeitung” celebrated Baumgartner as the new “gold goal scorer” with the final whistle.
As in the daytime in Bucharest’s old town, the Ukrainian fans clearly set the tone in the stands. On the other hand, the Austrians took the initiative right from the start. Already in the first 20 minutes they created several chances, with their fifth corner they then took the lead. One of the many good crosses from Bayern professional Alaba, which coach Foda had ordered this time from the center of defense to the left, Baumgartner pressed his right foot into the net from close range. At 21 years and 324 days, he is now the youngest Austrian goal scorer.
The Ukrainians, for whom a draw would have been enough for second place in the group, acted too defensively overall. It was only after half an hour that they became really dangerous for the first time. After a hidden shot by Nikolaj Schaparenko, which Austria’s keeper Daniel Bachmann parried, the former Dortmund player Andrej Jarmolenko just missed the rebound. The advance of the Eastern Europeans remained an exception. The Austrians, for whom Florian Grillitsch (Hoffenheim) played for the first time in this tournament from the beginning and in the central midfield, continued to control the game.
“We want to create pressure forwards with David on the left side and have a clock in the center with Grillo, who should shape the game,” Coach Foda had explained his changes in advance – and the Mainz native’s plan worked.
Even the substitution of Baumgartner, who collided with opponent Ilja Sabarny shortly before his goal and had to be replaced by Schalke Alessandro Schöpf after 33 minutes, did not seem to upset the Austrians. Instead, they could have increased to 2-0 before the break. Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer failed with a flick but to goalkeeper Georgi Buschtschan (37th). Star striker Marko Arnautovic, who was back after being suspended, shot past an exemplary counterattack from twelve meters free-standing to the left (42nd).
The Ukrainians approached the second half more aggressively, but their final actions were not more compelling. An Austrian provided her greatest chance: The Gladbacher Stefan Lainer headed the ball in an attempt to clear her own goal, Bachmann fended off (62.). In the closing minutes the fans from the Alpine republic were already celebrating the success of their heroes with loud “Stand up for Austria” and “Oh, how is that beautiful” chants. A shot by Ukrainian Roman Yaremchuk from the right flew past the goal (87th).
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