– It has rained glass and plastic cups during this match from Turkish spectators when the Austrians take a corner kick, commented Christian Nilssen. Perhaps Austria’s biggest star, Marcel Sabitzer, was to get a taste of that. The Borussia Dortmund player had to take a count and was clearly in pain after being hit by an object thrown from the stands. Sabitzer lay down for over a minute in pain, while the plastic cups were strewn around him. The plastic cups were strewn around Marcel Sabitzer when he was about to take a corner kick. Photo: Reuters The same man was very distressed after the match and covered his face in his suit in disappointment. Because it was going to be a Turkish party night. – What a start – It is the most entertaining minute so far in the EC. What a start! That’s what news’s commentator Christian Nilssen exclaimed when Merih Demiral slid the ball into the goal after a Turkish corner kick. A goal that is the second fastest in EC history, beaten only by Albania’s from earlier in the championship. Merih Demiral celebrates for the second fastest goal in European Championship history. Photo: AP Demiral airways Somewhat surprisingly, it was Demiral who was to be the difference between the teams in Leipzig on Tuesday. The centre-back, who earns his living in Saudi Arabia on a daily basis, would turn out to be nothing less than an Austria killer. The game clock had just passed 59 minutes when starlet Arda Güler hit a corner at the far post. Towering highest of all was Demiral, who nodded the ball into the net to make it 2–0 Turkey. Centimeters away But Austria was by no means outplayed. Only a minute after the Turks’ first goal, they could have responded with what would by all accounts have been the fastest equalizer in EC history. A low corner kick was aimed at an unmarked Christoph Baumgartner. The midfielder stretched as long as he was, but was just a few centimeters too short to send the ball into the net. – Unpredictable Turkey took everyone by surprise with a score so quickly that no one had time to say “counterattack”, said host Ingerid Stensvold during the break. Ralf Rangnick is referred to as “the father of counter-pressure”. But he did not get it to vote until Tuesday. Photo: AP Corner bonanza But Austria did not give up. Seven minutes after the Turks’ second goal, it was the red shirts’ turn to get a corner kick. The cross was extended by Baumgartner to the back post where Michael Gregoritsch was waiting. Mutters alone managed the ball in the goal to make it 2-1, and it was a game again in Leipzig. – An EC moment we will remember Four minutes into overtime, Baumgartner had a huge opportunity to secure extra time for the Austrians. He was allowed to head towards goal from seven or eight metres, a position which should indicate a goal. The header was also very good, but Turkey goalkeeper Mert Günok managed to knock the ball away in an incredible way. – That save is an EC moment we will remember forever and ever, says Løkberg about the save in overtime. Thus, Turkey won, and they meet the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. Published 02.07.2024, at 22.53 Updated 02.07.2024, at 23.15
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Here, Sabitzer is hit by an object from the stands – Football EC 2024
