How Austrians stopped being just "nice outsiders"
The Austrian national football team has made huge progress in the last few years. It is no longer a team that just "trys something". Today it has a plan. Style. Character. And results.
From Wunderteam to frustration
Austrian football once had one of the most famous teams in the world – the so-called Wunderteam of the 1930s. The team around coach Hugo Meisl and playmaker Matthias Sindelar enchanted the world. At that time, Austria managed to defeat Italy and England and became a kind of standard of beautiful football.
But then came the war. The Anschluss. And only a shadow remained of Austrian glory.
Generation 1978: When West Germany fell
One of the most famous moments in Austrian history is the match against Germany at the 1978 World Cup , known as the "Miracle of Córdoba" . The 3-2 win against the reigning world champions shocked the football world. Commentator Edi Finger shouted into the microphone at the time:
"I wer' narrisch! I wer' narrisch! Da Krankl schießt – und i werd' narrisch!"
(literally: "I'm going crazy! I'm going crazy! Krankl scores a goal – and I'm going crazy!")
But like the Wunderteam, this generation was left without real gold.
A New Era: From Alaba to Rangnick
For a long time, Austria was dependent on individuals. On Peter Stöger or later David Alaba. But the team never seemed like a compact machine. Until Ralf Rangnick came along.
He brought the philosophy of high pressing, a modern pressing style previously known primarily from his time at RB Leipzig, to the Austrian national team. With players like Marcel Sabitzer, Konrad Laimer, Christoph Baumgartner, Xaver Schlager and Michael Gregoritsch, he created a foundation that began to annoy every opponent.
Interesting facts that will surprise you
Red Bull Salzburg acts as a breeding ground for international players: at least 9 players in the current team have come through Red Bull's youth structures. Austria now benefits from state-of-the-art training methods.
Austria has shown against strong opponents that they are more than an equal partner. Wins over the Netherlands at the Euro, wins over Germany, a draw with France or the destruction of Turkey 6:1 show only one thing. The Austrian national team is slowly starting to be talked about in Viennese cafes again as new national heroes!
The Austrian Football Association currently invests over 35% of its budget in youth. The aim is to build a system of "modern leaders", i.e. players with technique, physical strength and tactical insight.
The Austrians were the first in Europe to introduce mandatory sports psychology courses for all U15–U21 national teams. According to UEFA experts, the emphasis on the mental side of the game gives them an advantage.
From "lovely losers" to a dark horse
While in the past Austria relied on individuality and hoped for surprises, today they go onto the pitch with a plan and respect. The style, philosophy and mindset have changed. They are no longer outsiders. They are "the team that no one wants to face".
And will there ever be a gold medal from an elite championship? Maybe not at the 2026 World Cup, maybe not even at the next Euro. But no one will be surprised if the Austrians stand on the podium one day.
And that's not all from the world of Austrian football. Soon you will see articles about the most famous Austrian team, Wunderteam , or learn about the academy of goalkeeper Mirko Kos. For more interesting things from the world of football, follow BU1 magazine. And for more football news or football equipment upgrades, follow our e-shop. Good luck with your sports!
