Austria U17s held to draw in Euro qualifying opener

Austria's U17 national team battled to a 0-0 draw against Georgia in their opening Euro qualifier.

In Kutaisi, Georgia, the 2010 birth cohort managed by Hermann Stadler took a small first step toward qualifying for the 2027 U17 Euro in Latvia, keeping their fate firmly in their own hands.

Hard-fought contest

In a largely balanced first half, the hosts produced the more dangerous attacking moments without being able to capitalise.

However, Austria held firm and increasingly took control at the start of the second half, pinning Georgia in their own half for several minutes. When it came to finishing, though, the ÖFB team—particularly through Jakob Gauglhofer—frequently lacked precision.

Decider against Kazakhstan

Neither side took any ultimate risks in the closing stages, meaning the match ended in a goalless draw.

To conclude the first stage of Euro qualifying, Austria will take on Kazakhstan on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) and can secure their place in the next round with a victory.

The group winners and runners-up from each group advance to the second, final qualifying round. In Austria's group, only the bottom-placed nation will be eliminated.

Austria's starting XI:

Formation: 4-2-2-2

Nathan Simo - Felix Schertler, Emir Smajlovic, Marius Teufel, Tobias Gößler - Felix Gort, Felix Neuhäuser (84' Peter Moser) - Mirac Seckin (71' Emilio Orman), Jakob Gauglhofer - Matteo Maric, Moritz Schmidt (71' Amar Mujkanovic)