Just outside the centre circle of Austria’s training pitch, Ralf Rangnick stood deep in discussion with his assistant Lars Kornetka. Nothing could interrupt such focused conversation, but for an interested observer it was hard for attention not to drift. No more than 200 metres beyond the far side, the multicoloured flags that fly atop Berlin’s Olympiastadion’s stands fluttered over a row of trees. At the right-hand corner stood the columns that guard its west entrance, and the perfunctory row of terracing, as Rangnick’s squad emerged to go through their paces.
Austria may have a last-16 tie on Tuesday with Turkey to grapple with, but they can see the Euro 2024 finishing line every day. They are based at the amateur stadium, used by Hertha Berlin’s under-23 team, that adjoins the arena where dreams will come true in just under a fortnight. It is a languid Sunday morning in the surrounding complex, the bustle of match day replaced by a vintage car exhibition, along with a mixture of joggers, curious tourists and perambulating families, but Austria have their eyes on glory.
