• Austria top Group D ahead of France after win
• Rangnick: ‘The lads want to go as far as possible’

Ralf Rangnick praised a “­courageous and energetic” performance from his Austria team that brought a 3-2 victory against the Netherlands and has thrown them into the discussion around contenders for this European Championship.

Austria unexpectedly finished top of Group D, their win arriving in tandem with France’s surprise draw against Poland, and Rangnick would not completely discount a run all the way to the final for his high-intensity dark horses.

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© Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

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© Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Should Austria be taken seriously as European Championship-winning material? They emerged from one of the group stage’s most entertaining games with three points and, firmly against the odds, top spot in a fiendish Group D. They were handed a head start by Donyell Malen’s own goal but perhaps the most impressive aspect of another high-octane performance was the way Ralf Rangnick’s team just kept coming.

They were pegged back by Cody Gakpo and then, after Romano Schmid’s response, again by Memphis Delay. But Marcel Sabitzer’s winner, which could change the shape of this competition, means they will probably face Turkey or Czech Republic in Leipzig on Saturday. For the third-placed Netherlands, creative but wide open in defence, a meeting with England is not out of the question.

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© Photograph: Ronny Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images

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© Photograph: Ronny Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images

An Austrian forest ranger picked up the rock in 1976. Decades later, scientists discovered the object’s origin story while digging through old photos.

The EU has passed a nature restoration law which, despite its reduced scope appeared to be headed for the policy graveyard. The law was saved by Austria's climate minister, Leonore Gewessler, whose vote of conscience hit the bar of support of 55% of EU member states representing 65% of EU population. Her government attempted to have her vote disregarded, and she now looks likely to face criminal prosecution. (Via fixthenews)