Football: A Popular Sport Worldwide. - Fifth match, fifth goal: Baumgartner nets similarly to Krankl.
Austrian football player Christoph Baumgartner is in top form for the Euro. The 24-year-old scored the first goal for Austria against Switzerland, marking his fifth consecutive game with a goal. This has not been accomplished since Hans Krankl in 1976.
"My confidence is high, I'm playing well, and I'm enjoying it," said Baumgartner. Austria will compete in Group D at the Euro with France, Poland, and the Netherlands.
Baumgartner is known for his record-breaking goal against Slovakia, scoring just seven seconds into the match. He was also the starter in St. Gallen. The talented midfielder got the ball in his own half, maneuvered through multiple Swiss players, and finished off his solo. In total, he has scored 15 goals in 38 international matches.
Rangnick, Austria's coach, was impressed by Baumgartner's performance. "It's hard to believe he wasn't with us last season. But now that he's here, he's definitely making a difference," said the 65-year-old.
While Baumgartner did not start on the first day at RB Leipzig, he played in 32 Bundesliga matches and got eleven starts. Leipzig brought Baumgartner from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for 25 million euros in the summer of 2023.
Rangnick sees Baumgartner as a vital player who is "absolutely set." "He's very self-confident and a leader on the field. He usually makes the difference," said the coach.
Despite not being in perfect condition, Baumgartner still performed well. "I wouldn't call it sickness. It's just some days when you don't feel a hundred percent," said the athlete.
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Christoph Baumgartner's impressive form continues in the Bundesliga, scoring multiple goals for RB Leipzig in Saxony. His performance attracted the attention of Germany's national team coach Ralf Rangnick, who saw potential in the Austrian midfielder. Baumgartner had a successful stint with St. Gallen in Switzerland before joining Leipzig for a hefty sum. His remarkable goal against Slovakia, scored just seven seconds into the match, is still vivid in the minds of soccer fans worldwide. Baumgartner's current exploits in the EM echo the achievements of fellow Austrian Hans Krankl, who also had a remarkable run with goals in five consecutive games back in 1976. France, the Netherlands, and Poland are among the teams Austria will face in Group D at the Euro.
