Maybe Austria was not considered to be such a good team before the start of EURO 2024. But after their heroic display in a defeat against France (via an own goal) and two convincing wins over Poland and the Netherlands, Ralf Rangnick’s men suddenly became media darlings, and rightfully so. In an elimination game against Turkey tonight, they were clear favourites, but their inability to defend corners and finish their chances has cost them dearly, as they are out of the tournament: Austria – Turkey 1-2.Unlike the France-Belgium game (for example), this was an exciting and interesting game with three goals and plenty of goal opportunities, but the weaker side (Turkey) managed to score two goals from three chances and they will face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, while Austria goes home unhappy, since they were clearly the better side. Ralf Rangnick probably didn’t work so much with his team of defending corners, since the Turks, who will play in the EURO quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years, scored two goals and had one big chance after the corner kicks. The Austrians will also be unhappy with Christoph Baumgartner, who had so many situations to score, including a potential injury-time equalizer, but just couldn’t deliver on his home ground (he plays for Leipzig, where the game took place). The clock on the board didn’t even show a full minute and it was already 1-0 for the Turks. After a corner, the Austrians reacted poorly and allowed the ball to come near the goal line, where it was scrambled Pentz, but straight at Demiral, who smashed it home from close range for a shocking lead. Apart from the goals, the Turks had one decent chance in the 24th minute (also after the corner kick), when Demiral had a good opportunity to score a brace, but his header went over the bar. Apart from that, the Austrians dictated the tempo, attacked and created chances, but failed to materialize them in the second and fifth minutes, when Baumgartner missed both times. Austria pressed even more in the second half and had even better chances. Captain Arnautović was one-on-one with the Turkish keeper but shot straight at him, while Laimer and Posch both missed their opportunities. And just when everybody thought that the equalizer was just a matter of time, the Turks managed a rear corner and Demiral rose above everybody else to put the ball into the net for 2-0. But the Austrians continued like nothing happened and soon Gregoritsch managed to sneak one (again from the corner) to make it 2-1 with 25 minutes to go. Ralf Rangnick’s men continued to press, and the Turks were on the ropes in the final 15 minutes but somehow managed to hold on for great joy and a quarter-final match with the Netherlands. EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – 1/8 FINALSMondayFrance – Belgium 1-0 (0-0)/Vertonghen 85 og/Portugal – Slovenia 3-0 on pen (0-0)TuesdayRomania – Netherlands 0-3 (0-1)/Gakpo 20, Malen 83, 90+3/Austria – Turkey 1-2 (0-1)/Gregoritsch 66 – Demiral 1, 59/
