Analysis:Sabitzer howitzer seals breathtaking Austria triumph over Dutch

BERLIN : Hoary old cliche it may be but in the final analysis the simple truth is that the irrepressible, irresistible Austrians wanted it more than the Dutch in their final Euro 2024 Group D clash.

Maybe the fact the Netherlands were already guaranteed a last-16 place spiked their guns, or perhaps there was nothing they could do to repel the industry and energy of the Austrians.

Either way, the men from the mountains towered over their opponents from the low countries by the end of a sizzling 3-2 victory at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.

"When you win like that, win the group, score the winning goal, it doesn't get any better than that," said Austria's man-of-the match Marcel Sabitzer. "Now we need to calm down, clear our heads and then keep attacking."

The die had seemed cast from the kick off.

Well set up, disciplined, and with a measured plan to execute, the Austrians instantly set about their task with furious energy as soon as the whistle blew.

While the Netherlands were a team of step overs, fancy flicks, jinks and arms thrown up in frustration, the men in white buckled down to the job in hand - namely clearing their lines, maintaining their shape and employing a great high press and strong, physical tactics to snuff out Dutch inspiration whenever it threatened to momentarily catch light.

Austria's approach was rewarded almost before either bench had a chance to get comfortable, pressing Dutch midfielder Donyell Malen to scythe the ball past his own goalkeeper after only five minutes.

If red-faced Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman was sanguine in appearance, his demeanour suggested he was far less so in outlook, and he appeared to seethe on the touchline.

The last time the Oranje played at a Euros in this neck of the woods, they