Familiarity with England and Northern Ireland an advantage for Austria says Fuhrmann | OneFootball

Austria head coach Irene Fuhrmann says that the nation’s meetings with England and Northern Ireland in FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 qualifying can be a positive in their preparation for next summer’s UEFA Women’s EURO.

The three nations are battling it out for FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification in Group D and the trio were drawn together again at this evening’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 group stage draw in Manchester.

When speaking to FAWSL Full-Time following this evening’s draw, Austria head coach Fuhrmann said that being grouped with England and Northern Ireland again can be advantageous in her side’s preparations for the tournament.

“It is a special situation to face Northern Ireland and England again after the World Cup qualifiers,” Fuhrmann said.

“It can also be an advantage in terms of preparation for the games with us having experience and history with both teams going into the tournament.”

Austria were massive underdogs when they made their UEFA Women’s EURO finals debut in 2017. The nation reached the semi-finals of the tournament thanks largely to their defensive strengths. Fuhrmann went on to say that Austria still pride themselves on their shape and organisation but they are a much better attacking side now than they were back then.

She said “We are still focusing on the same mindset as we did four years ago but we have improved offensively with the ball.

“What is clear is that we need to be in the best physical condition to perform well and maybe reach the knockout stages again.”

Austria feature in the opening match at the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 when they face England at Old Trafford on Wednesday 6 July 2022.