Ralf Rangnick praised a “courageous and energetic” performance from his Austria team that brought a 3-2 victory against the Netherlands and has thrown them into the discussion around contenders for this European Championship.
Austria unexpectedly finished top of Group D, their win arriving in tandem with France’s surprise draw against Poland, and Rangnick would not completely discount a run all the way to the final for his high-intensity dark horses.
Austria were defeated by France in their opening game but have qualified above the tournament favourites. “To finish top of the group then, that is incredible,” he said. “The probability of us winning here and France not winning, if you had a bet you would be a very rich man or woman. We got rewarded for this courageous and energetic performance.”
Asked whether Austria, who are likely to face Turkey or Czech Republic next in what has become the more favourable half of the draw, can win their first major honours this summer he struck a characteristically cautious note. “I have said months ago, I don’t think it is very probable to win the Euros,” he said. “If someone asked me if I can completely rule it out, it is still not very likely. The lads want to go as far as possible.”
Ronald Koeman was unhappy with a Netherlands performance that, although partly redeemed by goals from Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay, consigns them to third place and a potentially trickier knockout route.
“We had a victory against Poland and we thought the situation would be better because we were confident,” Koeman said. “The match against France [drawn 0-0] was reasonably well as a team. But today it was appalling, because people played poorly in a series of aspects.”
Admitting his side “did not control the match”, Koeman expressed optimism that they can fulfil their potential in the cut and thrust of knockout football. “I am focused on our strategy,” he said. “We have not been knocked out. We have to come up with a response and prepare the team for the next match because that’s what is at stake. We will have to play better than today.”
