Historic performance
Gregoritsch: “Madness” and a penalty gift
"This is madness!" Michael Gregoritsch celebrated three goals in the 6:1 win against Turkey on Tuesday evening. The striker also gave up a possible fourth goal and allowed his colleague Christoph Baumgartner to take the second ÖFB penalty.
Three days after Christoph Baumgartner's "world record goal" against Slovakia, another team player has made Austrian soccer history. Michael Gregoritsch scored three goals in Tuesday's 6:1 test match against Turkey in Vienna, making him the 15th ÖFB international since the Second World War and the first Austrian to achieve this feat in an international match since Rene Aufhauser on November 15, 2006 in a 4:1 win against Trinidad & Tobago.
"Sensational," said the Styrian after his international goals 13 to 15. A shot from the edge of the box, a header from a corner and a penalty gave Gregoritsch a magical evening. "To be able to score a hat-trick in the time-honored Happel Stadium - it's amazing that I can experience that," said the 29-year-old.
No penalty kick
Gregoritsch could even have added a fourth goal, but he left the second penalty to Baumgartner. "It was a matter of course for me," said Gregoritsch. Baumgartner had asked his best friend to take the penalty. "I'm extremely grateful to him for that. I know that's not a matter of course for a striker who has the chance to score his fourth goal," said the Lower Austrian.
Like Gregoritsch before him, Baumgartner converted with ease and overcame his personal "penalty trauma". The Leipzig professional failed to score from the spot at the U21 European Championship on June 20, 2019 in the group match against Denmark at 1:1. Austria lost 1:3, was later eliminated in the group stage and missed out on participation in the Summer Games in Tokyo as a result. Gregoritsch was a fan in the stands in Udine at the time. "I still joke to this day that he cost me the Olympics," said the Freiburg attacker.
"I haven't touched a penalty since then"
Despite the European Championship mishap, his father, U21 team boss Werner Gregoritsch, had Baumgartner take another penalty on September 5, 2019 in the 3:1 European Championship qualifier in Andorra, and again the Waldviertel native missed. "I haven't touched a penalty since then, but the situation arose today. There was some pressure, I'm glad I stood up to it," said Baumgartner.
The 24-year-old almost scored earlier against Turkey. His shot in the second minute was blocked by goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir and Baumgartner's club colleague Xaver Schlager dusted it off. "I could have slotted it in, but I'm really pleased for Xaver because I think he's definitely one of the best six-man players in Europe," explained Baumgartner
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