Austrian have the class to go a long way at Euro 2024, and much credit must go to coach Ralf Rangnick who turned 66 on Saturday, the nation's football legend Hans Krankl has said.
"Austria doesn't have to hide from anyone. Anything is possible at this European Championship - even up to the final. For me, Austria is currently one of the two best teams at this tournament, along with Spain," Krankl told portal Sport1.
"Our team has played very well so far, it looks very homogeneous. And the boys have now confirmed their great form ahead of this European Championship."
Austria won a tough group ahead of France and the Netherlands. They face Turkey in the last 16 on Tuesday and could meet the Dutch again in the quarter-finals.
Team captain David Alaba, part of the delegation despite not being able to play in connection with a severe knee injury, said on Saturday that the team is dealing well with the raised expectations.
"We have to continue to follow our plan, but on the other hand we have to try and stay relaxed and continue to approach the games in the same way as we have done so far," Alaba.
Alaba said that Rangnick's birthday was celebrated at the team's camp in Berlin: "This morning before the video analysis, we serenaded him and presented him with the cake.
"Then he also said a few words to us. It was really very nice. I think it was even a bit emotional, even for him."
Krankl, who made himself immortal in Austria with a 3-2 winner against West Germany at the 1978 World Cup and was national team coach 2002-2005, said that the current success is largely owed to Rangnick who has been in charge since 2022.
"Taking over this team was good for Rangnick. This team can and wants to play the kind of football it likes. It fits together very well," Krankl said.
"Rangnick is in the right place at the right time."
Krankl said that Rangnick made a good decision to snub German top club Bayern Munich last month and continue with the Austrian side beyond the Euros.
"Rangnick must feel much more comfortable than at FC Bayern. You have to put up with a lot in Munich. Maybe that's what stopped him from signing there," Krankl said.
"Besides, he wouldn't have the sole say at FC Bayern. And Rangnick wants the sole power. He has the say at the Austrian national team. Rangnick certainly wouldn't have had that at Bayern."
