European Football Championship 2008: The Euro files - Austria

Austria’s coach Josef Hickersberger knows that Euro 2008 will be the toughest test his country has faced since it last qualified for a major finals, the 1998 World Cup. But recent friendlies suggest his side are better than some might think.

It’s easy to see why expectations are, in some quarters, low for the co-host nation. Austria has never qualified for the European Championship finals on the field of play, and even Andreas Herzog, the country’s most-capped player and Hickersberger's assistant, says that the country's young players would be better off moving abroad to learn their trade. The national side is a work in progress, still struggling to replace their record goalscorer Toni Polster (44 in 95 games) and tireless midfielder Herzog (26 in 103 games).

Cult hero

As with all teams in transition, professional Jeremiahs are quick to compare the emerging stars unfavourably to past greats. But Hickersberger believes the team has stabilised. In 2007, Austria lost by only the odd goal to England, France and Scotland, drew with the Czech Republic, Japan, Paraguay and beat Ivory Coast 3-2. In two friendlies against their fellow co-hosts, Austria have won one and lost one. Far from a team in meltdown.

Hickersberger says he wants to create a “young, fighting team” like Jürgen Klinsmann’s Germany at the 2006 World Cup. The most promising youngsters at his disposal are probably midfielder Veli Kavlak and defender Sebastian Prödl, stars of the Austrian side that reached the semi-finals of the 2007 Under-20 World Cup. Prödl was in Gazzetta dello Sport’s team of the tournament.

The coach can call on two decent goalkeepers in Jürgen Macho and Alex Manninger, and defensively, on the classy Martin Stranzl and the whole-hearted Emanuel Pogatetz. A cult hero at Middlesbrough FC, Pogatetz is back in the fold after being exiled for slamming the coach’s “tactical incompetence” in the press.

Adding to Austria's sturdy rear-guard is Joachim Standfest – the team's highest ranked player in the CPI and currently the eighth best defender in all of the qualified teams. The 27-year-old FK Austria Wien player is at home in the midfield or at right back and ranks above such unyielding heavyweights as Lilian Thuram, Christian Chivu and Sergio Ramos.

Andreas Ivanschitz, the 24-year-old national skipper, hasn’t quite lived up to his billing as the “Austrian Beckham” but he has been voted the best midfielder in the Greek league, can dribble past players and has a cultured left-foot. René Aufhauser, a combative defensive midfielder now matured into a fine playmaker, has finally, at the age of 31, found his niche and is the top CPI ranking midfielder from Austria, Ivanschitz is the second.

Biggest challenge

Austria’s biggest challenge is scoring goals. Aufhauser and Ivanschitz can chip in, but first-choice striker Roland Linz has grabbed just five goals in 26 internationals, though he has been more prolific for Portuguese club sides Boavista FC and his current SC Braga.

Mario Haas, the 33-year-old who may partner Linz upfront in a 4-4-2, has returned to SK Sturm Graz after a sojourn in Japan’s J-League, while another thirtysomething, Sanel Kuljic, has proved he can handle the lone striker role in a 4-5-1. And if all else fails don't be surprised to see the versatile Yüksel Sariyar deployed up front. Another FK Austria Wien player Sariyar registers at 14th when compared to other strikers in the CPI.

For some, the great young hope is Martin Harnik, the 20-year-old who has muscled his way into Werder Bremen’s first team. Some stars announce their imminent eminence by scoring on their debuts: Harnik has done it both for Werder (in the Bundesliga) and for Austria (against the Czech Republic last summer).

Likely approach

To reach the last eight, the co-hosts will surely need at least a point in their Group B opener against Croatia. Hickersberger probably won’t try to emulate Klinsmann’s flowing football: his plan may be to frustrate Croatia and Germany, hoping to score on the break, and open up against Poland. A surprise victory against Croatia could see the team transcend its limitations against Germany.

Germany and Croatia may be favourites to qualify but the odds on Austria propping up Group B with nul points are considerably longer than they were a year ago.

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