Austria's Road To The Playoffs: A Tactical Overview

Austria has a rich history of competing in football tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. In 1974, Austria came close to qualifying for the World Cup, but lost to Sweden in a playoff. However, they went on to qualify for the World Cup in 1978 and 1982, reaching the second round on both occasions. More recently, Austria qualified for the UEFA Euro 2008 as joint hosts and exceeded expectations by drawing with Poland and narrowly losing to Germany and Croatia. They also qualified for the Euro 2016 tournament in France, finishing top of their qualification group.

Austria qualified for the second round of the FIFA World Cup in 1978 and 1982

In 1978, Austria were anchored by Herbert Prohaska and striker Hans Krankl, and backed up by Bruno Pezzey. In 1982, Austria's group stage included a match against West Germany. A 1-0 win for West Germany would see both sides progress to the next round at the expense of their group rivals. The sides appeared to deliberately settle for a 1-0 win for West Germany after they opened the scoring in the 80th minute, prompting outrage and a change to the FIFA World Cup rules. Now, within any given World Cup group, teams play their final group matches at the same time.

Austria qualified for UEFA Euro 2008 as joint hosts

Austria also qualified for Euro 2016 in France, finishing top of a qualification group featuring Russia, Sweden, Montenegro, Liechtenstein and Moldova. However, they lost 2-0 to Hungary and 2-1 to Iceland at the tournament itself, despite a goal from Alessandro Schopf in the latter fixture.

Austria qualified for Euro 2016 in France

Austria qualified for the Euro 2016 tournament in France by finishing top of their qualification group, which featured Russia, Sweden, Montenegro, Liechtenstein and Moldova.

Austria has a history of performing well in football tournaments. Anchored by Herbert Prohaska and striker Hans Krankl, and backed up by Bruno Pezzey, Austria reached the second round of the FIFA World Cup in 1978 and 1982. In 2008, Austria qualified for the UEFA Euro as joint hosts alongside Switzerland. They exceeded expectations, drawing 1-1 with Poland and suffering narrow 1-0 defeats to Germany and Croatia.

Austria came close to qualifying for the 1974 World Cup in Germany

Austria came very close to qualifying for the 1974 World Cup in Germany. The qualifying round was tied for first place between Austria and Sweden, despite tiebreakers based on points and goal difference, so a playoff was needed. The championship round was suspended and the stadium in Gelsenkirchen was prepared five days before the playoff. On snow-covered ground, Austria lost 1–2.

Austria did, however, reach the World Cup in 1978 and 1982, both times reaching the second round. In 1982, a 1-0 win for West Germany in a group stage match meant that both sides progressed to the next round at the expense of their group rivals. This prompted outrage and a change to the FIFA World Cup rules, so that within any given World Cup group, teams play their final group matches at the same time.

Austria finished first in Group D and qualified for the RO16 of the Euros

Austria did not feature at Euro 2012, but they did qualify for Euro 2016 in France. They finished top of a qualification group featuring Russia, Sweden, Montenegro, Liechtenstein and Moldova. At the tournament itself, they lost 2-0 to Hungary and 2-1 to Iceland despite a goal from Alessandro Schopf in the latter fixture.

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