AUSTRIA – CROATIA Match Preview

Ernst Happel, Vienna
Sunday 8 June 2008 – 18.00CET (18.00 local time)
Group B

They are already proving excellent co-hosts, but can the Austrians also impress where it matters most? Josef Hickersberger’s side begin their UEFA EURO 2008™ bid on Sunday knowing Group B rivals Croatia would love nothing more than to spoil the party at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna.

‘Optimistic’

Ranked 92nd in the world by FIFA, Austria are under no illusion about their underdog status, but Hickersberger promised his players would rise to meet the challenge. “I’m optimistic we’re going to play well against Croatia,” the coach said. “We have no injuries, all the players are 100 per cent fit and in good health, and they all believe in the possibility of creating a surprise. Our opponents are excellent and experienced, but we’ve set ourselves a goal. For the first time in 18 years, we want to win a match in a major tournament.”

First appearance

Their last success in a major finals came against the United States at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, when Hickerberger was also sitting in the dugout, and the 60-year-old is targeting a berth in the last eight as Austria make their first-ever appearance in the continental showcase. “We want to win this match and we have to win a match if we’re to fulfil our goal of reaching the quarter-finals,” he explained. “We have three chances to do that, starting now, but as for our tactics, that will depend on the strengths and weaknesses of both sides.”

Goalkeeping debate

Cagey as ever, the former Austrian international also refused yet again to name his first-choice goalkeeper. Alex Manninger and Jürgen Macho have both been tipped by various local newspapers, and Hickerberger joked that at least some of them were on the right track. “I will announce the lineup tomorrow before the match,” he said. “But you can read the name of the goalkeeper in many newspapers. I hope they’ve got it right.” What seems less debateable, on the other hand, is that Austrian-Croatian Andreas Ivanschitz will start in midfield, while Croatian-born striker Ivica Vastic will begin on the bench.

Eduardo motivation

There are no doubts about Slaven Bili?’s Croatia lineup, meanwhile, with the creative spark likely to come from playmaker Luka Modri?, while Ivica Oli? will partner Mladen Petri? up front. They will look to provide the goals in the absence of injured striker Eduardo da Silva, but Bili? denied that their job will be to help Croatia’s fans forget the Brazilian-born forward. “We’re very motivated because of Eduardo,” he said. “He’s very popular with the other players. No one can replace him but we’re confident of getting good results.”

No complacency

The Croats certainly go into the tournament with higher expectations after topping qualifying Group E ahead of Russia, England and Israel. They have also beaten Austria in all three meeting between the two sides, including a 4-1 triumph in Vienna two years ago. Bili? ruled out the possibility of complacency, however, stating: “We think we can go far. But right now, we’re not even thinking about the second match. We’re totally focused on Austria. The first match is so important in terms of confidence and our players are highly motivated and ready to go.

Kova? demands a winning mentality

Croatia captain Niko Kova? has told his team that victory tomorrow in their opening UEFA EURO 2008™ encounter with Austria would smooth their path towards the quarter-finals while defeat would not be a total disaster.

‘Very important’

It didn’t help their qualifying chances four years ago in Portugal when Croatia began with a goalless draw against Switzerland and before they face another underdog team in the co-hosts, Kova? rallied his men to produce a winning performance. “The first match is always very important because this is not a league with 34 rounds, where you can make a mistake and still become champions,” the midfielder said.

Austria threat

“Austria are called outsiders but that does not mean that they don’t have a chance,” he added. “The favourite team does not necessarily qualify for the second stage. When it comes to the European Championship you can not be sure where you stand. I have been here several weeks preparing while some others have only had three weeks. All of us who have played for a longer time have some experience but still you can’t help being nervous because Austria are playing in their own country.”

Useful platform

If the match at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion does not go according to Croatian plans then Kova? says all hope is not lost for Slaven Bilic’s team. “The coach has already said that this result will not be a complete victory or a complete loss,” he added. “But still, it is very important because it can set things going both for ourselves and the fans. We saw in France [at the FIFA World Cup 1998 when Croatia reached the semi-finals] how much easier it is to continue if you start with a victory.”

‘Special situation’

Facing Austria has a special resonance for the 36-year-old who joined FC Salzburg two years ago having spent all his life in Germany where his clubs included Hertha BSC Berlin and FC Bayern München. “Two years ago I thought it was the summit to play against Germany where I was born and now this is another special situation to play against Austria where I live and work. My ties with Germany are stronger than those with Austria but of course I know all about Austria so nothing will go unnoticed here.”

Stranzl awaits ‘event of the century’

The UEFA European Championship is the “event of the century” for Austria according to powerful defender Martin Stranzl who says it has put every member of the home-nation squad on tenterhooks.

Huge impact

Stranzl might have spent the past two seasons in Russia with FC Spartak Moskva but he is fully aware of what the impact will be of staging such a high-profile tournament as UEFA EURO 2008™ in his homeland. Josef Hickersberger’s squad arrived in Vienna yesterday morning to make final preparations before tomorrow’s Group B encounter with Croatia at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion and Stranzl revealed: “The whole team on the bus was full of tension. We’re really looking forward to the match and we’re all fully prepared. We know it’s going to be tough but we’re well prepared and we’ll do our best.”

‘Event of the century’

The players needed no reminding of just how important the game is. “It’s the event of the century for the whole of Austria and extremely important for all our players,” added Stranzl who will come up against his Spartak team-mate and Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa tomorrow. “You could sense since yesterday the build-up of tension and all of us are happy to get started. I am optimistic and it would be great to see a three [points on the board] tomorrow. That would be a great step forward but we know it is going to be difficult.”