The calculation is simple. If Austria and Ukraine tie today, the Ukrainians are in the round of 16. The Ösis would be third in the group and, thanks to the better goal ratio, would leave the third-placed Swiss in the battle of the group third for the knockout ticket behind them.
So do Austrians and Ukrainians tie a package – to the disadvantage of Switzerland?
This is explosive. Also explosive because our neighbor is part of what is probably the most famous parcel in football history. 39 years ago at the 1982 World Cup, Austria and Germany already knew before the kick-off for the last group game that a 1-0 win for the Germans would help both teams advance into the knockout phase. And so it came about: after an early hit and a long ball attachment without serious attack efforts, this was the result. Algeria, which played their last game the day before, were left behind. Since then, the last group matches have been scheduled at the same time.
At the Ösi-PK before the Ukraine game comes the question of the parallel to 1982, the memory of the “Gijon Non-Aggression Pact” between Austria and Germany, of course. Austria’s coach Franco Foda parries them soberly and points out the main difference to then: “Our situation is completely different from then. We don’t know if a draw would be enough because there will be many more games after us. We want to win this game. “
“Want to fix it”
In 2021, the starting position before the game against Ukraine in Bucharest would allow for similar lines of thought: A draw should lead both Ukraine (as second in the group) and Austria (as third) to the knockout phase. But the ÖFB team would not have full certainty in this case. The midfielder Konrad Laimer therefore says: «We want to avoid the situation of having to sit in the hotel after the game and wait to see what the others are doing. We want to fix it on Monday. “
The outcome of the match between Ukraine and Austria is also important for Switzerland with regard to the qualifying round of 16. If our neighbors win a point, they would be ranked third in the group ahead of Switzerland. And so we could possibly snatch the last 16 ticket from under our noses.
For the Swiss fans that means: Yes, no draw! Austrians or Ukrainians should win today. The hit rises at 6 p.m. (sda / red)
Published: 06/21/2021, 3 minutes ago
Last updated: 21.06.2021, 2 minutes ago