After France’s dominant performance over Poland on Thursday, their form did not go anywhere as the opening exchanges consisted of huge pressure on the Austrian side that did not fade. The Austrians struggled to get out of their half with their only attacks formed of very quick counters that amounted to nothing.
This took place over the entire first quarter with France likely frustrated they could not capitalise on their relentless pressure. Austria again would be happy after also putting in a great defensive performance against Scotland the previous round after a 0-0 that they won through a shootout. A clear set of tactics being used across the weekend.
The second quarter started no differently. After a very whistle less first quarter the fouls started to roll through come the second. France’s dominance shone through with short corner after short corner which eventually lead to the breakthrough. After a foul during a penalty corner a shot from the spot was awarded. France’s Victor Charlet broke the deadlock putting the French side one up.
Charlet came close again with another short corner striking the post only a few minutes after, continuing to pin Austria back deep into their own half. The half ended with game becoming more open. Both France and Austria had really good chances to change the scoresheet but could not quite make a difference heading into half-time.
The half-time team talk definitely had its affect with the Austrian side as they came out with a presence about them in the second half. This continued through the first half of the quarter before the pressure became too much for France as Fabian Unterkircher brought the Austrians level.
The goal seemed to break France out of their spell as the first-half order of play resumed. The quarter played out with France pinning Austria back deep with the later only getting a few counters that broke down quickly leaving a very nervous quarter ahead.
Early in the fourth was when the French skill showed earning themselves a short corner. It was Charlet again who took the shot but François Goyet who got the final touch to put the French side back in front.
Things took a turn not a minute later as the Austrian’s were awarded a short corner but the defence was too strong for them on this attempt. The game became end-to-end very quickly with France’s dominance and Austria’s desperation clashing in playing style.
In the end the dominance of France was too much as Etienne Tynevez broke through again to make it 3-1 in the dying moments with a fourth coming right on the final whistle by Maximilien Branicki.
Sports Insider by Gerren Scapens 