6:1 – Gregoritsch warmed up to the European Championships with three goals in 15 minutes

“Goodbye,” it echoed towards the guest fan block through Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium after 78 minutes of the Austrian national football team’s crazy 6:1 (2:1) win against Turkey. Things couldn’t have gone better in the ÖFB team’s third-to-last European Championship test against Turkey. The man of the evening was Michael Gregoritsch with three goals within 15 minutes (44th, 47th, 59th). Currently mostly in the joker role at SC Freiburg, the Styrian warmed up spectacularly for the European Championships in the national team.

Yes, it was a real EM test in every respect. This not only applied to the two teams, but also to the atmosphere. The Ernst Happel Stadium is somewhat reminiscent of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, where the ÖFB team will play two games. Not only is the tradition great, but thanks to the running track, the distance from the field is also great. But even though third place remained largely empty yesterday with 38,500 spectators, the atmosphere was already ready for the European Championships. It was always fair – but still loud, emotional and the fans were there from the first second.

Austria’s team was too – like in the 2-0 win in Slovakia, they took their opponents by surprise. After Xaver Schlager made it 1-0 after 103 seconds, the insult was of course: “A very late goal.” Christoph Baumgartner’s six-second goal in Bratislava remains the benchmark. The goal was a product of will – and the high-speed pressing perfected under Rangnick.

TV analysis with OÖN sports editor Harald Bartl:

VAR turned around three decisions

The match was also a test for the referees. That’s why the VAR was there too. This is the exception in friendly games. And he intervened for the first time after a handball from Kevin Danso. Hakan Calhanoglu scored to make it 1-1. It didn’t matter because after that every shot for Michael Gregoritsch was a hit:

44th minute – 2:1: After the pressing trap was sprung, Gregoritsch scored from the edge of the penalty area into the right corner.
47th minute – 3:1: After the break, 178 seconds were enough for him to make it 3:1 with his header.
59th minute – 4:1: The VAR also played a role here. An offside call was taken back, so the penalty foul was given to Konrad Laimer. Michael Gregoritsch also had strong nerves from the penalty spot.

Goal for Austria instead of Türkiye

The climax of the curiosities had not yet been reached. As the Turks celebrated the supposed 2:4, the VAR switched on for the third time. Before the quick counterattack that led to the visitors’ goal, Stefan Posch was fouled in the Turks’ penalty area. As a result, the goal was irregular and the penalty went to Austria. Strong from Michael Gregoritsch: He gave Christoph Baumgartner the penalty to make it 5-1. But it was only over after team newcomer Maximilian Entrup celebrated his goal to make it 6-1. An EM test really couldn’t go any better.

Austria – Türkiye final score 6:1 (2:1)
Vienna, Ernst Happel Stadium, 38,500, SR Chiffi (ITA)

Tore:

1:0 (2nd) X. Schlager
1:1 (25th) Calhanoglu (penalty)
2:1 (44.) Gregoritsch
3:1 (48.) Gregoritsch
4:1 (59th) Gregoritsch (penalty)
5:1 (78th) Baumgartner (penalty)
6:1 (95.) Entrup

Austria: A. Schlager – Posch, Danso (88th Daniliuc), Wöber, Mwene (70th Prass) – Seiwald, X. Schlager – Laimer (88th Cham), Baumgartner (82nd Wimmer), Schmid (81st Weimann) – Gregoritsch (82.Entrup)

Türkiye: U. Cakir – Müldür, Demiral, Ayhan, Özkacar (77. Celik) – Özcan (61. Kökcü), Calhanoglu (88. Yüksek) – I. Kahveci (61. Akgün), Arda Güler (77. Ömür), Aktürkoglu ( 61. BA Yilmaz) – Yildiz

Yellow cards: A. Schlager, Posch or Calhanoglu, Arda Güler, Kökcü