In the holiday and university town of Brighton, Austria passed its matriculation examination. Against the number eleven in the world, the first 45 minutes were probably one of the best in history. “We never let Norway get going, we had the game completely under control and fortunately we scored the goal that gave us peace of mind,” said Fuhrmann, pleased about Nicole Billa’s first goal in the European Championship, who perfectly converted a cross from Verena Hanshaw .
“I’m pleased that we as a team pulled off such a performance, it’s unbelievable that we’ve done it again,” rejoiced Billa, who made it into the quarter-finals of the European Championship for the second time with the team. Five years ago they even made it to the semi-finals. The next hurdle on Thursday (9 p.m., live on ORF1) is in Brentford Germany. “If we deliver a performance like today, it won’t be easy for Germany either,” said goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger after pointing the finger again.
Highlights Austria – Norway
Austria beat Norway 1-0 at the end of the European Championship group stage in England and, as group runners-up, is in the quarter-finals like in 2017.
Fuhrmann classified the greatest success as team boss accordingly. “It’s absolutely sensational to be back in the top eight in Europe in such a strong group with England and Norway. We performed very well in all three games,” said the 41-year-old from Vienna after the 1-0 draw against England in front of a record crowd of 68,000 spectators at the European Championship and the difficult 2-0 win over Northern Ireland.
And the way you climbed weighed even more than the first win against Norway in the sixth ÖFB attempt. “We wanted to appear as we are, with all our strengths. It makes me incredibly proud that they pulled everything out on day X,” Fuhrmann praised their players, who “crashed” the press conference just like they did after the win against Northern Ireland. This time, Cher’s “Strong Enough” blared out of the infamous jukebox. Here, too, a finger played a role, as some players put it on their mouths. Arguably a response to those critics who felt the jubilation after the lackluster win over Northern Ireland was overdone.
A first half for framing
But Austria gave the real answer, especially in the first 45 minutes on the pitch. Goalkeeper Zinsberger only had to fend off a shot on goal for the first time in the 89th minute against one of the strongest attacking teams in Europe, but she did it just as brilliantly as the second a little later. “Before that, the people in front of me showed an incredible performance.” The first 45 minutes went down as one of the best in the history of this team, it was a half to frame.
The Norwegians obviously still had the 8-0 debacle against England on their minds, but Austria exploited that almost to perfection. “It was very, very good. After the 0:8 one could have expected fireworks from their side, but it was exactly the other way around. We kept them well away from the goal and also had chances,” analyzed Carina Wenninger, who dryly defended everything that came along with her teammate Viktoria Schnaderbeck. It wasn’t much because the collective pressing worked, second balls were won and Norway were busy in their own half.
“We’ve proven many times that we can defend very well. That requires enormous running work and discipline, you have to press very high over long distances. It also takes courage to stand up. As a group, we defend it very well, I was surprised that we did it so well,” confessed Wenninger, who drew a comparison to 2017. “We defended well there, but we only defended there.” You developed further in possession.
Billa’s long-awaited moment
The defensive stability was to be expected because Austria had only conceded two goals in seven previous games. Offensively it was more difficult, but this time the last passes worked better and also found Austria’s top striker Billa, who scored in her eighth attempt for the first time at a European Championship. “I’m glad it finally happened, my first EM goal feels wonderful,” said the 26-year-old Hoffenheim legionnaire.
This was preceded by a “great ball” from left-back Hanshaw, who quickly anticipated and saw Billa free between the Norwegian defenders. “I knew he was coming and I’m not in distress for once. It was a nice feeling that he fell in there,” said the ÖFB striker. “It may not have been my best goal, but one that will definitely be remembered,” emphasized Billa after her 44th goal in the ÖFB team. Record scorer Nina Burger, who was on duty as an ORF TV expert in the evening, is only nine goals away.
Polonaise hair, “Tramway in front” there
Austria had a little less control in the second half, but it was only in the finish that Norway had real chances, but that was when Zinsberger was there. “In the second half we also had more difficult phases, which is part of it against such a top team. I have to pay tribute to my players for how hard they worked for this win,” congratulated Fuhrmann and let them celebrate extensively.
The now traditional procedure includes the polonaise with a jukebox through the stadium, mixed zone and press conference room. Fuhrmann still has no problem with that. “Because when it matters most, they have the focus, the attitude towards work. It’s just about the moments that they will remember for the rest of their lives.” This also includes the way home in the “party bus”. His musical favorite at the moment is Jazz Gitti’s “Tramway foarn”, as Billa revealed.
Anticipation for Germany duel
In any case, the ÖFB will also put the 205,000 euros just brought in for the quarter-finals (plus 100,000 euros per win) into the extension of the reservation of the team quarters Pennyhill Park. Next Wednesday we will go to London, where there will be an explosive duel with Germany. 14 ÖFB players earn their money there, against the number five you are again an outsider.
“You’re never without a chance, Germany delivered a top performance, but we’re very excited about this duel because many of them are active as legionnaires there,” says Fuhrmann. Bayern record player Wenninger knows half the team: “I’m really looking forward to it.” And Billa promised: “There will again be a team on the field that will leave their hearts there.” There is no longer any doubt about that.