Austria's Win Against San Marino Overshadowed by Graz Tragedy: Arnautovic Unbothered
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Austria National Team Faces Match - Arnautovic Unbothered: "I Don't Give A Damn" - Austrian Football Federation's Player Undeterred - Arnautović Unfazed: "No Interest"
Marko Arnautovic, the seasoned Austrian team captain, seemed unmoved during a post-game interview following Austria's impressive 4-0 victory over San Marino on Tuesday. The 36-year-old striker, who led the team with two goals, expressed little interest in discussing the game, pointing to more pressing concerns.
Ralf Rangnick, the team coach, had demanded a dominant performance. But when a Sky Sport Austria journalist asked Arnautovic if he felt the team had delivered on that demand, he responded bluntly, "Mate, I'm being honest. It's not about you. I don't feel like talking right now."
Arnautovic's focus was elsewhere, gone were the soccer victory celebrations. Morning's grim news from the Austrian city of Graz had left its mark. A shooting rampage, resulting in eleven deaths, overshadowed Austria's World Cup qualifier win. The perpetrator was among the dead, having committed suicide.
"It's a horror," Arnautovic described the incident. "We all have families at home, we all have kids at home," he said, urging the importance of discussing the safety of children rather than football.
Impact on Team Members
Arnautovic's teammates echoed his sentiments, expressing shock over the tragedy. Austria's striker Michael Gregoritsch, a Bundesliga club SC Freiburg player, hails from Graz himself, growing up just ten minutes away from the affected area. "It's terrible. It's horrifying that it's so close," Gregoritsch stated.
Marcel Sabitzer, a BVB player who also grew up in Graz, shared similar feelings. "We asked about the situation, how people are doing. Everyone is deeply affected," Sabitzer explained after the game. "Personally, it hits you hard when you can relate to the situation."
The Austrian team played its World Cup qualifier with a black armband, observing a moment of silence before the game. Fans canceled their planned march and choreography, portraying a somber atmosphere. The shock was profound, casting a shadow over the football victory. The professionals would've preferred not to play at all.
- Graz
- Marko Arnautovic
- ÖFB
- San Marino
- World Cup qualifier
- Austria
- Shooting rampage
Sources:
- Sky Sport Austria
- News agency DPA
- Deutsche Fußball-Bund (DFB) official site: Gregoritsch's profile
- Stadt Graz official site: BORG Dreierschützengasse school
- Guardian: Austria Graz shooting: nine dead following school attack in Austria
- Despite Austria's impressive victory against San Marino in their World Cup qualifier, the focus of the team, including its captain Marko Arnautovic, has shifted away from sports following a shooting rampage in Graz that left eleven dead.
- The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of the directive regarding the football match between Austria and San Marino, as pressing concerns about the Graz tragedy overshadow the game's outcome and the team's performance.
