European Championship qualification
After the clear 4-0 away win in Estonia, Austria’s U21 national team will stop in Finland on Tuesday (6.30 p.m., live on ORF Sport + and in the livestream). For the Austrians who hold nine points after four games, the lead in the table is on the test bench. The Finns hold on to five points, but like the second-placed and still flawless Croatia (9 points) they have one game less on the account.
First place is a nice snapshot, said Rapid defensive player Emanuel Aiwu. “The group is very close, something can change quickly. But it is also clear that we will do everything we can to ensure that the championship lead is no longer out of hand. ”This should be made possible by the dominance and offensive power shown last. With 13 goals, the ÖFB selection is in the top field in the qualification, Salzburg striker Junior Adamu is the top scorer with five goals.
Finland are two games without a win after a home defeat against Croatia (0-2) and a 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan. Red-White-Red does not want to be blinded by this on the way to the 2023 finals in Romania and Georgia. “For me, the Finns have absolutely quality. They not only play classic Scandinavian with a lot of robustness. They are a team that wants to play modern football, that lets the ball run well, and they try to create moments of change in the pressing, ”said Gregoritsch.
ÖFB-U21 meets Finland
In the European Championship qualification, Austria’s U21 team will face Finland on Tuesday. In order to maintain the possibility of a European Championship place, the team needs a victory.
“Appear with determination and enthusiasm”
However, his troops are prepared for the Scandinavian style. “But if we show the energy that has distinguished us so far, with this determination and enthusiasm, then we have the quality to win the game.” In order to continue to lead Group A, that will probably also be necessary in Tampere. Croatia (9 points like AUT) and Norway (6) face the cellar teams Azerbaijan (1) and Estonia (0.) Both pursuers have played one game less than the Austrians.
The U19 and U17 already face the finals. With Slovenia and Hungary, they both face the leaders in their groups. If the U19, supervised by Oliver Lederer, wants to keep the qualichance realistic, a victory is necessary in Traiskirchen on Tuesday. The U17 juniors (coach Martin Scherb) need at least one point at the mini-tournament in Hungary against the hosts in order to advance to the next qualifying phase.
U21 European Championship qualification, group A.
