Cursed game! Power failure, delayed kick-off, big hole in the pitch - and a defeat

Sometimes it's simply not meant to be. In football, in love or in life generally - it doesn't matter. You usually get some hints, too. It's as if the universe is telling you not to bother. Admit defeat. Forget it, man.

The Austrian national football team has got a fair few hints on Monday night. Scheduled to face Denmark at home in a UEFA Nations League match in Vienna.

The kick-off at Ernst Happel Stadium was delayed by an hour and a half because of a major power outage. It was only the beginning of a strange night in the capital.

Ralf Rangnick changed nine starters from the team that beat Croatia 3-0 a few days earlier. David Alaba returned to the back four while in-form Marko Arnautovic didn't start.

Despite the delayed start to the match, the home team started well and looked like the better team. However, they were unlucky when a ball fell nicely for Emil Hojbjerg to prod home.

Arnautovic laid the ball off for Xaver Schlager to level with just over 20 minutes to go. It was all looking pretty good for Rangnick and his men. But the misfortune would hit again. Arnautovic, who was making his 100th appearance for the national team, had a glorious chance to win the game, but he could only bounce his effort off the post after rounding Kasper Schmeichel.

The punishment was cold and cruel as Udinese defender Jens Stryger Larsen sound the net five minutes from time to hand Austria a frustrating defeat. Sometimes it's just not meant to be.

It was a strange night for the 18,700 spectators who were still in the stands nine minutes after midnight when the final whistle went. But that wasn't the end of weirdness in Vienna.

Eyebrows were raised when Danish striker Andreas Skov Olsen discovered the hole in the centre circle after the final whistle. Television pictures showed half of the 22-year-old's lower leg disappearing into it. Thankfully, nobody stepped into the hole during the match because it would probably have resulted in a horror injury. It seems to be a problem with the pitch drainage system. The groundsmen assured the public that the problem will be solved in time for the match against France on Friday.

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

LEAGUE A, ROUND 1

Sunday

Czech R. - Spain 2-2 (1-1)

/Pesek 4, Kuchta 66 - Gavi 45+3, Martinez 90/

Portugal - Switzerland 4-0 (3-0)

/Carvalho 15, Ronaldo 35, 40, Cancelo 69/

Monday

Croatia - Austria 1-1 (0-0)

/Kramaric 83 - Rabiot 52/

Austria - Denmark 1-2 (0-1)

/Schlager 67 - Hojbjerg 28, Stryger Larsen 84/

Tuesday

21.45: (2.50) Germany (3.20) England (3.15)

21.45: (1.32) Italy (5.40) Hungary (12.0)

Wednesday

21.45: (5.20) Wales (3.60) Netherlands (1.80)

21.45: (1.65) Belgium (3.80) Poland (6.25)

***odds are subject to change