1:1 against Denmark

Demir in U21 first with dream goal, then with penalty foul

Ervin Omic and Yusuf Demir celebrate.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Austria's U21 national team drew 1-1 with Denmark in a test match in Ried on Friday. Yusuf Demir took center stage - first the ex-Rapidler, who was substituted after the break, put the ÖFB selection in the lead with a magnificent free-kick (67'). He then conceded a penalty, which Oliver Sörensen converted to equalize (70'). For the Austrians, it was the dress rehearsal for the European Championship qualifying match against Cyprus in Ried on Tuesday.

In front of 1,050 spectators, the ÖFB players had the better chances in the first half on the 66th birthday of their team boss Werner Gregoritsch. Headers from Nicolas Sattlberger (10th) and Bernhard Zimmermann (19th) just missed the target.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

At the break, the Danes, top of their European Championship qualifying group, made a number of changes to their regular squad. For example, William Böving came on for his Sturm Graz colleague Mika Biereth. Böving also missed the Danes' first top chance, failing to hit the target from a few meters out in the 58th minute. Just seconds later, Oliver Nielsen's shot from five yards out grazed the crossbar.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Just as the visitors looked to be taking the lead, Austria struck. After a foul on Zimmermann, Demir sent the free-kick into the corner of the goalkeeper's net from just outside the sixteen. Less than two minutes later, however, the former senior player, who has seen little playing time at FC Basel, attacked too impetuously in his own penalty area. The result was a penalty that Sörensen confidently converted.

"Mannshaft was very poisonous"
Both teams played for the winning goal in the final phase, but there were no more really compelling chances. In the ORF interview afterwards, Gregoritsch spoke of a fair draw. "My team played very aggressively. The defense, which played together like this for the first time, worked well. On the whole, you have to be satisfied, because the Danes have great individual quality," the Styrian summed up.