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‘We didn’t have luck’: Austria bow out of Euros after loss against Turkey

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick bemoaned his side's fortune in bowing out of Euro 2024 on Tuesday following a 2-1 loss to Turkey, as he hit out at the boring football played by other sides at the tournament.

'We didn't have luck': Austria bow out of Euros after loss against Turkey
Austria's head coach Ralf Rangnick reacts during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D football match between the Netherlands and Austria at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on June 25, 2024. (Photo by François-Xavier MARIT / AFP)

Rangnick’s men had emerged as potential dark horses after topping a group containing France and the Netherlands.

But they were undone by their set-piece defending in the last 16 tie as Turkey defender Merih Demiral scored twice in Leipzig.

Michael Gregoritsch quickly pulled a goal back for Austria and only a stunning save from Mert Gunok denied Christoph Baumgartner a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage-time.

“We didn’t have the necessary luck,” said the former Manchester United coach.

“I believe if the game had gone into extra-time we would have won the game because the Turkish team were exhausted and we had a physical advantage.”

Austria scored seven goals in their four games at the tournament — more than England, France and Portugal, who have all advanced into the last eight.

“I think the four games we played were very entertaining, including today’s game,” added Rangnick.

“Not everything went as accurately as we want. We could’ve played a few passes better but four very entertaining, intense games.

“I’ve seen other games when it was difficult to even stay awake and that was not the case in our games.”

Turkey will face the Netherlands in the last eight in Berlin on Saturday.

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Austria glory at Euro 2024 ‘not impossible’, says coach Rangnick

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said it is not unthinkable his side could stun the continent to win Euro 2024, but is wary of the threat posed by Turkey in Tuesday's last 16 tie.

Austria glory at Euro 2024 'not impossible', says coach Rangnick

Under former Manchester United boss Rangnick, Austria’s fortunes have been transformed over the past two years.

They won a group containing France and the Netherlands to reach the knockout stages in Germany and now have their sights set on a first-ever Euros quarter-final.

Should they progress, Austria also have a kind draw through to the final.

A rematch with the Netherlands, who they beat 3-2 in the group stages, or Romania would await in the quarter-finals before facing England or Switzerland in the last four.

However, Rangnick said the stunning form of Spain, who thrashed Georgia 4-1 on Sunday to continue their perfect record at the tournament, showed the standards Austria have to reach.

“I said at the beginning of the tournament it is not impossible to become champion or get to the final,” Rangnick said at his pre-match press conference on Monday.

“But you have to look at Spain. This is a team with incredible individual players but who also play on an incredible high technical level.

“We are realistic. There is only one way to get as far as possible: to take care of the next match. This philosophy helped us to get to Leipzig today and this is the only way to get further in the tournament.”

READ ALSO: Who is Austria’s new football coach Ralf Rangnick?

A former coach and sporting director of RB Leipzig, Rangnick and many of his players will be in familiar surroundings due to their connections with the Bundesliga club.

However, they are set to face a hostile crowd, with Turkey’s huge expat population in Germany backing their nation in numbers throughout the tournament so far.

“Turkey is a team that will play with a lot of emotion, so we need the highest level of energy for our way of playing,” added Rangnick.

“We also have to play with our heart because that is what it will be about tomorrow.”

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