Three days after the somewhat lackluster 0-0 opening match against Croatia, Austria’s U17 footballers celebrated their first victory at the European Championships. Coach Martin Scherb’s team beat outsiders Wales 3-0 in Larnaka on Thursday, taking the lead in Group B and can now hope for the quarter-finals.
23.05.2024 22.18
Online since yesterday, 10:18 p.m.
Mauro Hämmerle (30th), Valentin Zabransky (51st) and Adrian Riegel (84th) scored the first red-white-red goals of the tournament, and the next goals are set to follow on Sunday (5 p.m. CEST, live on ORF ON) in the last group match against Denmark. The Danes played 2:2 against Croatia on Thursday, are on four points, just like Austria, and are in second place behind the red-white-red due to the worse goal difference. Croatia is third with two points, while Wales, who have no points, are bottom of the table. The top two in the group advance to the quarter-finals.
Austria controlled the match from the start, but Hämmerle had no more than two good chances (3rd, 5th) in the first half hour. But then the Augsburg youngster was able to score. A shot from Jacob Hödl found the Vorarlberg player, who skillfully shot into the far corner from twelve meters to take the lead.
ÖFB players celebrate first victory at U17 European Championship
Austria’s U17 national team has achieved its first victory in the second match of the European Championships in Cyprus. Martin Scherb’s team beat Wales 3-0, with goals scored by Mauro Hämmerle (30th minute), Valentin Zabransky (51st) and Adrian Riegel (84th).
“Joker” Riegel finishes with a diving header
Shortly after the restart, Hämmerle missed the chance to make it 2-0, but his lob was saved by the Welsh goalie. Moments later, however, the Welsh goalie made a mistake after a corner, which captain Zabransky used to make it 2-0 and thus decided the game. In the finish, “Joker” Riegel completed the final score with a diving header after a beautiful move.
“We started the game really well today, which was very important. We managed to stick to our game plan very well for long stretches,” said Scherb. “In the end, we deserved to win, but we could have won by a bigger margin. Today the boys can enjoy this victory, and from tomorrow onwards we’ll be thinking about Denmark.”
U17 European Championship in Cyprus
Table Group B: 1.
Austria
2 1 1 0 3:0 4 2. Denmark 2 1 1 0 4:2 4 3. Croatia 2 0 2 0 2:2 2 4. Wales 2 0 0 2 0:5 0 Match schedule: 20.05. Denmark Wales 2:0 Croatia
Austria
0:0 23.05. Denmark Croatia 2:2
Austria
Wales
3:0
26.05.
Austria
Denmark 17:00 * Wales Croatia 17:00
* Live in ORF ON
