Well thank you for joining me for this Euro 2022 quarter-final with Germany through after a hard fought match over Austria.
Our reporter Nick Ames was at the Brentford Community Stadium and to read his report click below:
I’m a neutral in this and I’m having all the emotions, so sad for the Austrian players who have fought so well in this tournament. They held England to 1-0, beat Northern Ireland and Norway and it was a tight match this evening. I’m also so happy for Germany, particularly Popp whose injuries have kept her out of other Euros.
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Alexandra Popp is closing in on Beth Mead in the Golden Boot stakes as her goal this evening took her to her fourth of the tournament. England’s Mead is on five so the competition for that award will also be closely fought.
That was a great match from Austria, despite the mistake at the end. Many may have predicted a much higher scoreline but they frustrated Germany throughout the match. Austria once again prove they aren’t minnows in this sport.
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Full-time: Germany 2-0 Austria
Germany will face either France or the Netherlands in the semi-final as they overcome Austria in a tight match. Despite the scoresheet Austria put up a good fight with three chances rattling the woodwork. A well worked goal by Magull and a mistake from Zinsberger saw Popp pounce to ensure Germany’s semi spot.
90 +2 min: Zinsberger’s face says it all, heartbreak spread across it. It has been a good performance from Austria but they haven’t capitalised on their many chances in this one.
90 min: Austria have been playing out from the back all evening and they haven’t changed their tactic. This time Popp times it well and she punishes Zinsberger. She equals a German record as she scores in a fourth consecutive Euros match. Three minutes added.
GOAL! Germany 2-0 Austria (Popp, 90')
Heartbreak for Zinsberger as her goal kick is charged down by Popp.
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88 min: Germany call for a free kick but it isn’t given. A rogue ball is thumped upfield but Wienroither can’t control it and Brand wins a throw. Austria manage to clear it but Hegering wins a free kick.
86 min: Oberdorf rescues Germany as she wrestles the ball back and then Dunst earns a yellow for a foul. Austria make another change as Billa comes off for Makas, can she be the difference?
84 min: Buhl is off for Brand after that mistake, think the decision was already made to take her off but the mistake was awful. Austria aren’t giving up here as they edge slowly up the pitch.
82 min: Puntigam is off for Hobinger as Austria hunt for their equaliser. But Germany are the next to strike and how has Buhl missed that? She had a clear open goal with Zinsberger out of position but the shot goes wide.
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80 min: Austria have a throw in and they look to pounce but Frohms kicks to clear.
78 min: Puntigam looked to fire but Germany manage to wrestle it back. The Germans counter and have a fantastic opportunity, it’s thumped in for Popp but Zinsberger punches away. It comes back out and Zinsberger makes a great save on a long range Oberdorf effort. The keeper shouting at her players afterwards but the warnings aren’t heeded as Buhl’s shot rattles the woodwork! Wow, if that went in it would have been goal of the tournament so far.
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76 min: Germany take the corner short but it is sent in but it goes just beyond Popp and Austria win a free kick. They are quickly dispossessed and Germany win the free kick, Austria clear it and look to counter! End to end!
74 min: Poor defence gifts the ball to Germany and Dallmann’s shot goes over the bar. Austria’s time is ticking, they have had three shots hit the woodwork but Germany are coming to life. Austria concede a corner as the attendance is announced as just over 16,000.
72 min: Austria have to scramble to defend as Hegering’s run sets up a good attacking position and they do well, running the Germans back to their own half. Gwinn looks like she has won a corner but the ref goes with a goal kick. Austria make their first change as Hickelsberger-Fuller makes way for Naschenweng.
70 min: Hickelsberger-Fuller puts a great ball in the box but it’s cleared by Gwinn before Billa can get to it. Germany come back immediately with sub Dallmann’s hit over the bar, the German was offside.
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68 min: Oberdorf gives away a free kick but Hegering heads the looming ball and Popp is fouled.
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66 min: Zinsberger is almost closed down by Popp but the Arsenal star manages to not slip up. The ball comes in again but Popp’s shot isn’t convincing.
64 min: Germany have too much on a pass and it ends with an Austrian goal kick. Ahead of the kick Germany make some changes as Magull makes way for Dallmann and Dabritz is off for Lattwein.
62 min: Germany win a free kick to alleviate some pressure but they run it back to Frohms. Possession exchanges hands as the two sides wrestle for momentum but Germany do enough to keep Austria from winning another corner.
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60 min: Austria are coming again, they can feel the momentum! Dabritz gets a yellow for a foul on Hickelsberger-Fuller, a free kick now. Hanshaw takes but it’s a poor take with it going out of play.
57 min: Frohms makes German fans nervous as she takes her time on a goal kick but she does get it away in the end. A loose touch from Buhl gives Austria a throw in, Billa is almost on it and Austria have a corner. Hanshaw takes but Frohms punches away but it’s not enough as Punitgam hits the woodwork! Another corner to come as Hanshaw sends it in again. It’s bundled around the box and they eventually clear. Austria are edging closer!
55 min: Gwinn is fuming as she is taken down on the edge of the box but a free kick isn’t given. Buhl is in a great position once more but her shot it blocked.
53 min: That was close for Austria! Zadrazil creates a great chance but her resulting pass has a bit too much on it and it goes to Frohms instead of the intended Hickelsberger-Fuller. Austria come again and Dunst has a long range shot which rattles the woodwork!
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51 min: Dabritz has a flying run and she feeds Buhl in the box, Austria do clear through Hickelsberger-Fuller. Austria look to counter but the ball is out of play before Billa can launch her attack. Huth is fed by Dabritz but it’s well blocked and then an attempt goes wide.
49 min: Wienroither is swarmed by German defenders and her cross doesn’t find a teammate but Austria come again but they are offside. Buhl gets it in the box with a pinpoint pass but Austria fumble it out to clear, that was close! Germany are hungry.
47 min: Germany come out firing! Wow! Gwinn has a cracking shot but her powerful kick smacks the post. Austria look to put in their own punch but they are offside and then the ball goes out of play.
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Back underway! Germany 1-0 Austria
So can Austria come back or will Germany run away with it? We will soon find out ...
Peter has got in touch and said: “The men’s version of this duel of cultural cousins has made for some memorable chapters in football history. The Miracle of Cordoba (the Shame of Cordoba, from Germany’s perspective), and the Disgrace of Gijon, for example.
“I would love to see the Austrian women bag a miracle of their own today. The Marvel of Brentford! The Wonder of West London! The Shock of the Saxon Shore!” Austria need a goal soon to be able to pull off the miracle!
Have you been enjoying our Euros 2022 coverage? Here is how you can support women’s football at The Guardian:
Half-time: Germany 1-0 Austria
Austria started the game well, they had a good shot through Georgieva which smacked the bar but is it Germany who come out of the first 45 on top. Magull hit home a well worked goal and they have had the momentum ever since. Austria are not out of this quarter but they will have to create something special to get back into this one.
45 min: Rauch hits the free kick but it goes straight to Zinsberger. There will be two added minutes.
44 min: Rauch takes the corner but Gwinn’s header goes out of play. Huth wins a free kick as Hanshaw, who gets a yellow, fouls. The Austrian not happy with that decision.
42 min: Zinsberger is slow to clear her lines as she takes a few touches and then picks it up. It’s enough time for her team to collect themselves and Hickelsberger-Fuller comes racing through but Frohms deals with it. Germany counter immediately and Huth’s shot is blocked and sent to a corner by Zinsberger.
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41 min: Magull immediately gets the ball in the box but Zadrazil hits it out for a corner. Rauch’s take is headed over by Dabritz and Austria clear. Popp comes through quickly after and Austria’s scramble defence is enough to silence German attack for now.
39 min: There’s a break in play as Billa is down and looks like she is in some pain. She is clutching her ankle but she is up - a huge sigh of relief for Austria.
37 min: Hanshaw, who has had an impressive tournament, clears another ball. Germany come through again and Huth gets a great ball in but it just skims her teammates.
35 min: Austria have a great chance with Billa shouting for the ball but Hickelsberger-Fuller doesn’t pass fast enough as German defenders swarm. Germany don’t do a good job of clearing but the Austrian final touch isn’t clinical enough to capitalise.
33 min: Germany have a throw in and they retain possession in patient build-up play. Wienroither wins a free kick though, they run it back to Zinsberger and Germany do well to pressure the defenders. They get the ball back and Gwinn has a shot which is caught by Zinsberger.
31 min: Germany earn a free kick in their own half but Austria head it away. This is a tricky stage for Austria, they need to not concede again and they have to be the next to score to maintain a momentum balance.
29 min: Germany are turning up the heat, their latest attack ending in the offside flag being raised. Austria have a corner but Puntigam’s effort is cleared.
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27 min: Well it will be interesting to see how Austria respond here. They need to maintain their pressure and push and not let Germany comes through.
GOAL! Germany 1-0 Austria (Magull, 25')
The ball is back with Zinsberger but Popp pressures her, the resulting kick not brilliant. Popp leaves the resulting cross and Popp leaves it for Magull.
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23 min: A slower tempo in the last few minutes as Zinsberger takes a goal kick. It’s been an equal match so far, impressive from Austria.
21 min: Magull has the ball on the edge of the box, Popp is waiting but Austria close it down. Another corner sees Rauch’s take headed away. An Austrian counter goes just beyond Billa and Frohms sets Germany on their way again.
19 min: Popp is fouled and so Germany are back in possession but not for long. Austria close them down again, nicking midfield ball. The Germans wrestle it back and a pinpoint ball to Buhl ends in a corner. Rauch takes once more but it’s headed over for another corner. Germany take it short but Zinsberger punches away.
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17 min: Germany have a goal kick after Hickelsberger-Fuller gives German defenders more headache. The commentators seem surprised by this but it is exactly how they played against Norway, crushing their opposition’s chances and turning up the pressure. Here is the pressure again with a free kick following a foul, Hanshaw bangs it in and Germany don’t deal with it well! Austria have so much space but it’s cleared eventually.
14 min: Dunst pops the ball in the box and Rauch heads to safety, conceding a corner in the process. And that is so close! Georgieva, who is captain Schnaderbeck’s replacement, has a header that hits the post! Germany deal with the resulting corner but Austria have had the closest chance in this quarter so far.
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12 min: The boot from Oberdorf on Billa gives Austria a free kick, it’s thundered in and Hanshaw wins her team a corner with clever play by the line. Dunst was the taker but Germany’s defence forces the ball back to Zinsberger.
10 min: Austria breaks and Hickelsberger-Fuller makes a great run. She finds herself in a one-on-one with Frohms but her strike is straight at the keeper. Germany counter immediately with Buhl laying up a perfect ball for Popp but her shot sails over the bar. Billa takes a boot to the face but she is up and well.
8 min: Germany put a great passage of play together but Austria’s defenders are sticking to them like glue. The Germans win a corner, Rauch the taker, but Zinsberger confidently comes out to pluck it out of the air.
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6 min: They play it out from the back and run it all the way back to Frohms. Austria steal it back though and earn themselves a throw in. A few more set pieces for Austria are dealt with well by Germany, a slow start to the match but the teams look settled.
4 min: Austria weather another German storm but Hanshaw is almost muscled off the ball. Again Germany press forward and Hegering is fouled by Zadrazil, a German free kick to come in not a too dangerous position.
2 min: Germany have an early throw in and it leads to their first chance, which is blocked by Hanshaw. Buhl gets the ball once more with more blocks coming in. Austria’s defenders will be put to work this evening.
Kick-off! Germany 0-0 Austria
Here we go! The whistle is blown on this knock-out match ...
There was a moment of silence for Germany legend Uwe Seeler ahead of kick-off, who has sadly passed away.
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Brentford are lively this evening as a huge roar greets the players as they run out ahead of the anthems. This is tense, the teams fully focused and no love will be lost here.
The teams are about to emerge! All the action will get underway in 10 minutes, are you excited? I’m buzzing.
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Whoever wins tonight will be facing either France or defending champions the Netherlands in the semis.
It’s all on the line! Who do you think will win? I’m predicting a 2-1 German win.
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As we gear up for the second quarter-final of this groundbreaking tournament, let’s have a quick recap of the first.
England pulled off a comeback against an impressive Spanish side to win 2-1 in extra-time. The reactions from both camps have been interesting to follow today so I’ll leave these pieces below so you can have a look yourselves:
Irene Fuhrmann knows what her side need to do to beat Germany - have the perfect game.
“They barely have any weaknesses, they have such a good squad,” she said. “If we want to win tomorrow, we will need an absolutely great performance.”
The team reached the semi-finals of the 2017 Euros and their impressive run this year means other teams will be wary of them.
“It’s clear that we won’t be underestimated now but I think we have definitely developed, especially in possession,” said Fuhrmann, who stepped up from the assistant coach role two years ago. “We are more courageous, more confident and still have the same qualities as in 2017. We are still a group and have this absolute will, whatever the score is, to go until the last minute. That is the recipe for success.”
Read the full story:
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This week Sophie has written about Euro 2022 support, saying: “People have turned out in historic numbers, not just for the sold-out England matches but elsewhere.
“The attendance record for a non-host nation match (not including a final) has been broken three times. Fifteen games in, Uefa had surpassed the 240,045 tickets sold in 2017.”
Read the full piece:
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Bridgerton are filming close to my house so I have been coming up with excuses to walk by to try and catch a glimpse of Jonathan Bailey. No sighting yet but I live in hope.
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Alexandra Popp has been Germany’s standout star of Euro 2022. She became the second player ever, after Beth Mead, to score in each group game.
She started the tournament on the bench but has earned a spot in the starting team, which continues this evening. Will she further her scoring tally? She needs two more to equal Mead’s scores and so three will put her at the top of the Golden Boot standings.
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Both teams have made changes but it is Austria who have kept the most consistency.
They have made just one change with Georgieva coming in for Schnaderbeck, who has been carrying an injury.
Austria starting XI: Zinsberger; Wienrother, Wenninger, Georgieva, Hanshaw; Hickelsberger, Puntigam, Feiersinger, Zadrazil; Dunst, Billa
Germany, meanwhile, have made four changes with Hendrich, Oberdorf, Rauch and Magull in the starting line-up.
Germany starting XI: Frohms; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch; Magull, Dabritz, Oberdorf; Huth, Popp, Buhl
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Welcome to the second quarter-final of the Euro 2022 tournament and what a match we are going to be treated to.
Germany v Austria promises to be a thriller. The latter will head into the match as favourites, their Euros history and form in this competition is clear evidence as to why. With England conceding a goal against Spain last night, Germany are the last team in the tournament not to concede a goal. But Austria’s Nicole Billa will be thundering shots to try and break that statistic.
Billa knocked Norway out of the competition last Friday with an impressive header to cause a huge upset. Austria will be aiming to be the same this evening and if their defence continues to be the iron wall it was in the group stage they could secure a semi spot.
Austria only conceded one goal in the groups and remain the only team to hold England to just one goal. But if any team are going to rattle Irene Fuhrmann’s team it’s Germany.
All the action in this quarter-final will begin at 8pm BST and the team news is up so stay tuned ...
