Euro 2024: Bullish Austria aims to beat Turkey to reach quarterfinals for first time
Austria's Marcel Sabitzer celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during a Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)
LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) — Austria is bidding to go farther than it ever has at a European Championship when it takes on Turkey in the round of 16. The Austrians surprisingly topped a group ahead of France and the Netherlands and are bullish about progressing to the quarterfinals under German coach Ralf Rangnick. Turkey has shown signs of individual brilliance but is yet to click at Euro 2024. Kickoff is at 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) on Tuesday. Here’s what to know about the match:
Turkey's Arda Guler gestures during a Group F match between Czech Republic and Turkey at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Turkey won 2-1. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Match facts
— Turkey reached the semifinals of Euro 2008 and is looking for another deep run in the tournament. But Italian coach Vincenzo Montella’s team struggled to beat 10-man Czech Republic in the last game and was beaten 3-0 by Portugal before that. Turkey qualified for the knockout stage as runner-up in Group F.
— Austria recovered from an opening 1-0 loss to France by beating Poland 3-1 and then the Netherlands 3-2 to top Group D.
— Austria and Turkey played a friendly in Vienna in March, when Austria recorded a 6-1 win thanks to a hat trick from Michael Gregoritsch and goals from Xaver Schlager, Christoph Baumgartner and Maximilian Entrup.
— Turkey defeated Austria 6-0 on aggregate in a playoff to reach the 2002 World Cup, where the team went on to finish third.
— Austria lost only one of its 10 qualifying games for Euro 2024. A 3-2 loss to Belgium was the team’s only defeat last year. Rangnick’s team has won 14 of its last 19 matches, losing just two.
Turkey's Kerem Akturkoglu, right, celebrates with his teammate Arda Guler after scoring his side's third goal during a Group F match between Turkey and Georgia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
— Turkey won six of its 10 games last year, losing two, but it went into Euro 2024 without a win in five matches.
— Austria has never been involved in a competitive penalty shootout, while Turkey defeated Croatia 4-2 in a shootout in the Euro 2008 quarterfinals.
— Both team captains, Austria’s Marko Arnautovic and Turkey’s Hakan Calhanoglu, helped Inter Milan win the Serie A title last season.
— Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer and Turkey’s Salih Ozcan are Borussia Dortmund teammates, while Turkey defender Mert Muldur was born in Vienna. The Fenerbahce player was in the youth ranks of Rapid Vienna with Austria players Niklas Hedl and Leopold Querfeld.
— If Austria wins, it could mean a quick rematch in Berlin against the Dutch. The winner of this game will play the Netherlands or Romania in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Team news
— Turkey had concerns about Real Madrid star Arda Guler during the group stage, but the 19-year-old attacking midfielder played from the start in the final group game and should be fit. Both coaches were expected to give injury updates late Monday during the pre-match news conferences.
By the numbers
— Austria has a better record with nine wins to Turkey’s seven from their previous 17 meetings. There was one draw.
— Austria’s six goals at Euro 2024 have all come from different players.
— Austria is playing in the Euros for the fourth time and the third in succession. Its campaign was ended in the last 16 by eventual champion Italy in the last edition.
— Turkey is making its sixth tournament appearance, and third in succession.
— It will be Turkey’s first game in Leipzig.
What they’re saying
“They are a very tough team who apply a lot of pressure. In the friendly there, we couldn’t respond to their pressure. I see this more as just another match rather than a chance for revenge. We want to win this match; even if it’s 1-0, it needs to be ours. We need to eliminate them and move forward.” — Turkey defender Zeki Celik.
“It doesn’t matter to us if our opponents are Austria or another country, to be honest. It wouldn’t be right to see this as an opportunity for revenge. Excessive ambition could backfire on us. We should keep both feet on the ground and do everything we can to win the game.” — Turkey goalkeeper Mert Gunok.
“The team knows full well that no matter who we play against, if we give our best performance, we can beat any opponent. But the players are still completely grounded and know exactly what’s important. The energy we bring to the field is what has made us a special team so far.” — Austria coach Ralf Rangnick.
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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024
Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press