Germany 2 Austria 0

Women's Euro 2022 Quarter Final, Thursday 21st July

My final experience of the Women's Euro 2022 was a Quarter Final at Brentford Community Stadium and saw Germany battle past a very competitive Austria to reach another major tournament Semi Final, setting up a last four showdown with either France or Holland.

The German's came into this tournament not being spoken about for once in terms of winning the competition,  weird considering they won it six times in a row prior to a shock quarter final loss in the last Euros in Holland five year ago, but they have certainly put themselves into top contenders after a very good group stage, defeating The Danes, Spain and Finland, netting nine and conceding none in what was labelled the 'Group of Death'.

And they were firm favourites against rivals Austria who had done very well to reach the Last Eight, as after a narrow loss to England on the opening eve of the tournament, they netted wins against Northern Ireland and then Norway without conceding, so they were certainly coming into this tie with lots of confidence and nothing to lose, which can often be a dangerous animal.

And it proved to be The German's toughest contest so far as they continued in pursuit of a record extending ninth European title, and another brilliant crowd of just over 16,000 creating yet another wonderful atmosphere, were treated to what proved to be a superb contest between two good sides.

The Austrian's took it to the German's early on and s nearly took the lead when sending a header against the post, and prior to that a lovely pass released them in on goal but the effort was struck straight at the keeper, although on that occasion it may have been ruled out for offside, but no one was to know that at the time, they were two great chances though for the underdogs to get ahead. 

But one defensive lapse in the 26th minute cost Austria dear, as after keeper Manuela Zinsberger had almost lost the ball to an attacker whilst trying to be to cute and play out from the back, her pass found a teammate, but she then lost out to Klara Buhl who then crossed into the box, and Alexandra Popp left the ball to find the arriving Lina Magull who side footed a first time effort into the far corner, and just like that the Germans were ahead.

And seconds into the second period Germany so nearly doubled their lead but struck the post, but this did not deter an Austria side who were not scared to take the attack to their more illustrious opponents, and had another purple patch, striking the bar and then post in quick succession, Germany's 100% clean sheet record in these Euros was coming under serious threat.

But the Germans rode that storm and then with the game getting more and more stretched as it went on had chances to seal their passage into the Last Four, they also struck the bar themselves before Kuhl somehow missed an open goal after the ball had been squared across goal to her, but as the game ticked into stoppage time, Germany were handed a second to end this contest.

Not for the first time Austria took a risk playing out from the back, or attempting to at least, especially with the German's high press, and keeper Zinsberger will not want to see what happened next anytime soon, or ever in fact, as her attempted clearance was blocked back past her and into the net by Alexandra Popp for the German's fourth goal in four games at these Euros.

It was a very embarrassing moment for the Austrian Number One, and not the way she would have wanted to end these championships, but she and her team should be proud how close they ran the German's in this one, and how well they had done at this tournament, to get out of a group containing England and Norway is testament to them.

Alas though it's Germany who get the job done, so often the case at major championships, they rode their luck in this one for sure, but they are through and that is all that matters in the end, and they now turn their attentions to France or Holland next week in Milton Keynes in what will be some semi final I am sure.

Lastly, it's been a great experience for me at these Euro matches, I ended up doing four and all of them were a great advert for Women's football, superb friendly atmospheres enjoyed by all in lovely weather (mostly!!!) so it's been a joy to behold, I now look forward to watching the rest of the tournament from my sofa, my the best team win!!!

Full time Germany 2 Austria 0