ÖFB-Team Draws Against Switzerland in Last Test Before EURO – Gregoritsch Misses Matchball
In a last-minute test before the European Championship, Austria’s National team started with a bang but ended up drawing 1-1 against Switzerland in St. Gallen. Christoph Baumgartner scored Austria’s goal in the 5th minute, while Widmer equalized for Switzerland in the 26th minute.
The Austrian National team, despite not securing the longest winning streak in the history of the association, heads into the Euros in Germany with confidence after remaining undefeated in seven matches. The match saw a total of seven changes from the previous game, with Baumgartner being the only consistent player. Goalkeeper Lindner, returning after a battle with testicular cancer, was part of a revamped defense line alongside Daniliuc, Lienhart, Trauner, and Mwene.
Gregoritsch, taking the place of Arnautovic in the striker position, was unable to convert a crucial opportunity, missing a matchball chance. The game was marked by Baumgartner’s lightning-fast goal in the early minutes, showcasing Austria’s offensive capabilities. Despite deeper defensive tactics, Austria managed to hold off Switzerland’s attacks but could not secure a victory.
In the second half, Austria’s performance improved with strategic substitutions bringing in potential starting players like Posch, Grillitsch, and Wimmer. The team pressed harder and created more chances, but Inter Milan’s goalkeeper, Sommer, denied them a winning goal. The match ended in a draw, continuing Austria’s streak of not losing in seven consecutive games.
Looking ahead, the Austrian team will face France in their Euro opener on June 17th, while Switzerland will kick off their campaign against Hungary on June 15th. Despite the draw, both teams showed promising performances that set the stage for an exciting European Championship ahead.
After the match, the Austrian players were granted three days off before heading to their Euro base in Berlin. The draw against Switzerland serves as a valuable learning experience and a chance for the team to fine-tune their strategies before the upcoming tournament.