European Championship Austria
Gregoritsch’s political message after the European Championship exit
Status: 11:27 am | Reading time: 3 minutes
Rangnick’s Austria out – Türkiye in the quarter-finals after dramatic final phase
Turkey moves into the European Championship quarter-finals with a 2-1 win against Austria. Demiral scores twice for the Turks. Gregoritsch’s goal makes for a very exciting final phase. The highlights in the video.
The defeat in the round of 16 at the European Championship against Turkey is taking its toll on the Austrian national team. Striker Michael Gregoritsch cannot hold back his tears. A little later, he makes an appeal to his country and Europe.
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Bundesliga professional Michael Gregoritsch spoke out clearly against right-wing ideology after Austria’s elimination in the round of 16 at the European Championships. “The message throughout Austria and Europe is that we should not deal with differentiation and right-wing ideas, but be united and proud and happy,” said the SC Freiburg striker in his tournament summary after the 1:2 (0:1) defeat in the first knockout round against Turkey.
According to the 30-year-old, the European Championships showed that everyone in Austria can stand up for a good cause. “That we should distance ourselves from right-wing ideology and know how important it is that we are all equal, that we are all there for our country, that we can be so passionate about a cause that has such a positive influence on our country.”
During the European Championship, Austria’s coach Ralf Rangnick had already warned of a political shift to the right. In these times, sport and politics can no longer be strictly separated, said the long-time Bundesliga coach. There were repeated right-wing extremist incidents at the European Championship in Germany, including in the duel against the Turks.
Incidents also around Austria games
Their defender Merih Demiral caused a stir with his celebration gesture. After scoring his second goal on Tuesday evening in the Leipzig stadium, the 26-year-old made the so-called wolf salute with both hands, a hand sign and symbol of the “Grey Wolves”, which the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classifies as right-wing extremists. The case has now reached high political circles, and UEFA has begun investigations.
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Austrian fans also caused a scandal before the round of 16 match had even kicked off. A broadcast by Swiss television SRF showed supporters of the ÖFB selection in the host city of Leipzig singing the slogan “Germany for the Germans, foreigners out” to the tune of the song “L’amour toujours”. When asked, the Leipzig police said they had raised initial suspicions and were investigating the matter.
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The racist slogan became known nationwide through a video from the island of Sylt. In it, numerous young people at a party chanted “Foreigners out” and “Germany for the Germans” to the song by Gigi D’Agostino.
Even before the round of 16, Austrian fans in Leipzig caused a scandal. During Austria’s group match against Poland in Berlin, a banner reading “Defend Europe” was briefly held up in the Austrian block. This is the title of a campaign by the right-wing extremist “Identitarian Movement”.
Out for Austria – “That quick goal at the beginning threw us off track”
“Everyone knew that the Turks were playing hotly,” said former Austrian national player Johnny Ertl in an interview with WELT TV. Before the game, Austria had been “soaring high.” The Austrians had even dreamed of reaching the semi-finals.
The Austrians had missed out on reaching the quarter-finals of a European Championship finals for the first time. Gregoritsch’s goal against Turkey was not enough. Rangnick had prepared himself for a longer stay at the European Championships. At the moment he could not imagine that they would be travelling back this Wednesday, said the Austrian coach: “It was clear to us that the journey would continue for a long time.”
