Semi-final ban hassles Hoffer

Erwin Hoffer was left with mixed feelings after inspiring Austria to a place in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship semi-finals, his joy at having scored twice in the decisive Group A win against Belgium tempered by the knowledge he will be suspended for the last-four date with Spain.

Striking sideshow
With all four Group A teams locked on three points going into the final round of fixtures everything rested on the match in Wronki, with the spotlight brightest around the slight figures of Hoffer and Belgium forward Roland Lamah. Each had registered in both their sides' previous fixtures, against the Czech Republic and hosts Poland, and the brunt of their teams' hopes again appeared to rest squarely on their shoulders.

Belgian 'panic'
It was an individual battle that Hoffer, who joined SK Rapid Wien from VfB Admira Wacker Mödling on the eve of the tournament, was to dominate. He sped beyond the stagnant Belgian defence to rifle in the opener on 16 minutes and after Massimo Moia had briefly restored parity shortly after the restart, the Austria No9 repeated the feat, scurrying past Daan Van Gijseghem and drilling a superb low shot inside the far post. "Every time Hoffer got the ball we panicked," said Belgium coach Marc Van Geersom. "He has a great shot and he's very fast too."

Key strike
The second goal settled Austrian nerves after a frantic spell of Belgian pressure in which Lamah had twice been denied by the post and although he also won a penalty, Kevin Mirallas could not convert. "We were never really nervous," said Hoffer, who himself had a strike disallowed for offside and watched another effort cannon back off the upright. "They had a few chances after the first goal and then when they did equalise, we scored again almost immediately. We were far more settled after that."

'Sehr' disappointed
Belgium did attack, however, and with eleven minutes remaining Hoffer was defending on the edge of his own penalty area when he deliberately handled the ball. It brought a yellow card, his second of the campaign, meaning he will be suspended for the semi-finals, which Austria reached in style after further strikes from Michael Madl and Daniel Gramann. "We have a chance against Spain but obviously I won't because I'm suspended," a forlorn Hoffer told uefa.com. Asked how disappointed he will be to miss the game his answer was simply "sehr" (very). It is a feeling his team-mates surely share.