'I Knew It Could Be Good' - Sabitzer Leads Austria To Victory And Top Spot In Group D

Marcel Sabitzer expressed pride not only in his decisive goal but also in Austria's resilience during their 3-2 win over the Netherlands on Tuesday. Austria, led by Ralf Rangnick, was placed in a challenging group with France, the Netherlands, and Poland. Despite being underdogs, they managed to top Group D.

Austria narrowly lost their opening match to France but bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Poland. Sabitzer then scored his first European Championship goal against the Netherlands, securing Austria's top spot in the group. They now face one of the best third-place teams in the last-16 round.

Sabitzer described his thought process during his winning goal: "I got the ball deep, I looked up to see if someone was free in the middle, but I got the impression that [the Netherlands] had more men there. In the past, the left foot has often helped me, so I thought that was the moment I could give it a try," he told reporters.

He added, "As soon as the ball left my foot, I knew it could be good." This confidence paid off as his goal ensured Austria's victory and progression to the knockout stages.

Sabitzer highlighted Austria's unity and mentality on the pitch. "We are all footballers who want to win games, and that is our objective in every game. And if you have moments where things are a bit more difficult, and it goes back and forth, then the question is how does the team react to that," he said.

"You can be proud of the unity we have, the mentality we have on the pitch ... we used our strengths; the goal was very nicely worked," Sabitzer continued. He emphasized how important it is for them to give something back to their supporters who trust them.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for Austria as they finished top of their group in a major tournament for the first time since the 1978 World Cup. The team's performance has brought joy and hope to many Austrians who follow them closely.

Their next challenge will be crucial as they prepare to face one of the best third-place teams in their upcoming match. Sabitzer remains confident in Austria's togetherness and believes they can continue their successful run.

Austria's journey through this tournament has been remarkable, showcasing their determination and skill against some of Europe's strongest teams. Fans eagerly await their next performance, hoping for continued success.