Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Austriavs.Turkey

sportsmole.co.uk, 30 June 2024, 07:34
Both into the last 16 following an eventful climax to their group-stage campaign, Euro 2024 dark horses Austria and Turkey convene in Leipzig on Tuesday evening.

The nations' first major-tournament meeting features a substantial prize: the winner will qualify for a quarter-final against either Netherlands or Romania.

Match preview

Having arrived in neighbouring Germany as one of Europe's form sides, Austria qualified for the knockout rounds of Euro 2024 as Group D winners by beating Netherlands 3-2 in a thrilling contest at Berlin's Olympiastadion last Tuesday.

Ralf Rangnick's men were handed a tough draw alongside the Oranje and favourites France, but they accrued six points from a possible nine to finish top of the pile, ahead of Les Bleus, who were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by already-eliminated Poland.

After they twice lost the lead, Austria captain Marcel Sabitzer struck an 80th-minute winner to snatch first place, following an opening defeat to France and a 3-1 win over Poland.

The Austrians failed to pass the group stage at their first two Euros - as hosts in 2008, and then again eight years later - so getting this far already represents an impressive achievement.

Indeed, Das Team have qualified for the knockout phase of a major tournament for only the fourth time ever, also doing so at the 1934 and 1954 World Cups and Euro 2020.

Rangnick's high-energy side are now trying to reach Austria's first European Championship quarter-final, and recent results suggest they could be ready to break new ground: they have now won 14 of their last 19 matches, losing just two.

Since Rangnick took charge in June 2022, only three European nations - Portugal, Netherlands and Spain - can boast a higher win percentage, with one notable victory taking place in a friendly fixture just over three months ago.

Austria smashed Turkey 6-1 in Vienna during the spring international period, when Michael Gregoritsch helped himself to a hat-trick before the hour mark at Ernst Happel Stadion.

In competitive meetings, though, Turkey are unbeaten in their last five games against Tuesday's opponents, keeping a clean sheet on each occasion; albeit this will be the first such encounter since a 0-0 draw in Euro 2012 qualifying.

The Crescent-Stars set up this latest clash by claiming a dramatic 2-1 win over Czech Republic in their final Group F game on Wednesday evening, when veteran striker Cenk Tosun struck in second-half stoppage time to seal a place in the last 16.

Though Vincenzo Montella's men knew that a point would be enough - and they played most of the match with a one-man advantage - conceding not long after Hakan Calhanoglu's 51st-minute piledriver put them in front had left their progress in some jeopardy.

Tosun's late strike not only sparked a chaotic conclusion that saw several cards brandished but also meant Turkey finished second in the standings, having begun their Group F campaign with an eventful 3-1 win over debutants Georgia and then lost 3-0 to Portugal.

Montella's youthful squad - who had the second-youngest starting XI on average during the group stage - have therefore taken their nation into the latter stages of the Euros for just a third time ever, and the first since 2008, when Turkey memorably made the semi-finals.

Now, their Euro 2024 adventure continues, and despite Austria's proximity to the host nation, the Crescent-Stars are sure to have a bigger backing, with many thousands of Turkish emigrants having settled in Germany over the past 60 years.

Austria European Championship form:

L

W

W

Austria form (all competitions):

W

W

D

L

W

W

Turkey European Championship form:

W

L

W

Turkey form (all competitions):

L

D

L

W

L

W

Team News

Ralf Rangnick's return to Leipzig, where he experienced several years of success as a club coach and advisor, will see the 66-year-old make at least one change to a winning side, as Wolfsburg winger Patrick Wimmer must serve a suspension.

Either Konrad Laimer or Christoph Baumgartner - the latter of whom has been directly involved in nine goals across his last eight international appearances - should therefore step up from the bench.

Record caps-holder Marko Arnautovic again battles it out with Michael Gregoritsch to spearhead an aggressive attack, while any two from Max Wober, Kevin Danso, Gernot Trauner and Philipp Lienhart will start in central defence.

Vincenzo Montella, meanwhile, must do without influential captain Hakan Calhanoglu and centre-back Samet Akaydin on Tuesday, after both picked up their second bookings of the tournament against Czech Republic.

Abdulkerim Bardakci is back from suspension and should join Merih Demiral at the heart of Turkey's back four, with Okay Yokuslu, Kaan Ayhan and Orkun Kokcu vying to replace Calhanoglu in midfield.

First-choice goalkeeper Mert Gunok is still troubled by a knee injury that kept him out of the loss to Portugal but has trained and should start between the posts.

Should Juventus star Kenan Yildiz (19 years and 59 days) and Real Madrid's Arda Guler (19 years and 128 days) both be selected, it will be just the second time any nation has started two teenagers in a knockout game at the Euros - and the first since 1964.

Austria possible starting lineup:

Pentz; Posch, Danso, Lienhart, Mwene; Seiwald, Grillitsch; Schmid, Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Arnautovic

Turkey possible starting lineup:

Gunok; Muldur, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Yuksek, Yokuslu; Kahveci, Guler, Yildiz; Yilmaz

We say: Austria 2-1 Turkey

A talented Turkish squad possess the tools to unlock almost any opponent, but they remain defensively vulnerable and will sorely miss their skipper in Leipzig.

Previews by email

Top News

10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes fell just short of matching a Red Devils milestone achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo in Sunday's 3-0 Premier League win over Leicester City. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had no good news to share when asked for an update on the conditions of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka following Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has talked up his side's achievement of reaching the November international break sitting only behind Liverpool and Manchester City. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A stunning hit from Pedro Neto cancelled out Gabriel Martinelli's opener as London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal played out a 1-1 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruud van Nistelrooy has branded his time in charge of Manchester United "a short but amazing period", with the Dutchman going unbeaten during his four games at the helm. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Roma have confirmed that head coach Ivan Juric has been relieved of his duties after a dismal 12-match reign. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has taken the blame for his team's shock home defeat to struggling Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has explained Alejandro Garnacho's low-key celebration after the Argentina international scored in Sunday's 3-0 win over Leicester City at Old Trafford. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A dogged Ipswich Town finally earned their first Premier League win of the season at the 11th attempt as they stunned Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in North London. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruud van Nistelrooy signed off as interim Manchester United manager with a 3-0 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with the Dutchman now handing over the reigns to Ruben Amorim. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cole Palmer has been passed fit to start for Chelsea in their Premier League London derby with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Charlton Athletic and Bromley will go head-to-head in the 2024-25 EFL Trophy on Tuesday, with the hosts hoping to maintain their perfect start to the competition. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United may reportedly look to secure a loan deal for a new striker during the January transfer window. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United attacker Amad Diallo has overcome a knock to be included in the Red Devils XI for Sunday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at Old Trafford. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Arsenal have seemingly been handed a boost regarding the potential availability of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk At the JobServe Community Stadium on Tuesday evening, Colchester United and Arsenal Under-21s both know that avoiding defeat could be enough to seal their place in the EFL Trophy knockout rounds. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly among the clubs who have identified an English youngster as a potential transfer target. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Locked together on two points in Southern section Group E of the EFL Trophy, MK Dons and Leyton Orient have it all to play for in Tuesday's encounter at Stadium mk. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Needing points to aid their hopes of reaching the EFL Trophy's knockout phase, Notts County will meet Leicester City Under-21s on Tuesday. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both vying for one place in the EFL Trophy knockouts, Lincoln City and Manchester City Under-21s will square off at the LNER Stadium in Tuesday's Northern section Group G showdown. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Doing battle in an EFL Trophy dead rubber, Chesterfield and Grimsby Town square off at the SMH Group Stadium on Tuesday evening in Northern section Group G. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon youngster Geovany Quenda is reportedly expected to remain with his Portuguese club for at least one more season despite suggestions that he could move to the Premier League next summer. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Needing just a point to book their place in the knockout rounds, Northampton Town return to EFL Trophy action on Tuesday, when they welcome Burton Albion to Sixfields. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly 'serious' about signing Ousmane Diomande from Sporting Lisbon, with the Gunners set to battle Manchester United for the centre-back's signature during next summer's transfer window. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Incoming Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly desperate for the Red Devils to win the race for Rosenborg teenager Sverre Nypan during next summer's transfer window. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Goztepe SK vs. Konyaspor (Sunday, 10.30am) Two sides separated by a single point in the middle of the Turkish Super Lig table will do battle at the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Sunday, as Goztepe SK welcome Konyaspor. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Estrela Amadora vs. Nacional (Sunday, 3.30pm) Two sides struggling at the bottom of the Primeira Liga table are set to come together on Sunday afternoon when Estrela Amadora host Nacional at Estadio Jose Gomes. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Almere City vs. Feyenoord (Sunday, 11.15am) Feyenoord make the trip to Almere City on Sunday aware that only a win will do if they want to stay competitive in the title race. 10 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Betis vs. Celta Vigo (Sunday, 1.00pm) Aiming to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to seven matches, Real Betis will welcome Celta Vigo to Estadio Benito Villamarin for a La Liga clash on Sunday afternoon.