Heading for Disaster
Hasan Saiyid
Austria have been relatively anonymous on the world stage for some time now, but many expected that a tournament at home would galvanize their cause. All evidence thus far has pointed to the contrary. During 2007, Austria had won only one of their twelve friendly games. Coach Josef Hickersberger has to reinvigorate a side that seems timid in front of goal, and only recently found its feet in defence.
With no competitive games in the last year under their belt, Austria will have to treat their remaining friendly games with much more urgency than they have. If they do not vastly improve, Group B opponents Germany, Croatia, and even Poland will be ready to dismantle them at the tournament proper.
The Austrian federation has set up some useful friendly games against Germany (which is on despite the fact that the two teams have been grouped together this summer) and Netherlands before Euro2008. Austria will most probably fail to beat the two nations, but they will be able to gauge their progress after the two games.
How Austria qualified
As co-hosts with Switzerland.
How Austria play
Hickersberger used both a 4-5-1 and a 4-4-2 in a recent friendly against England. The coach’s indecision gestures towards the tentative nature of his current team. Even amongst the uncertainty, some names seem indispensable. Central defender Martin Hiden, defensive midfielder René Aufhauser, and attacking midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz, who is also the captain, are names Hickersberger relies on frequently.
About the coach
Hickersberger was coach of the Austrian side that competed in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. His popularity amongst the fans has dramatically declined after an abysmal run of results this past year. Notwithstanding all the negative energy, Hickersberger has remained phlegmatic. He will need to find the right balance in attack before the tournament.
Key players
Alex Manninger - Siena’s talented goalkeeper has been vying for a starting spot with Jurgen Macho, but he should get the nod at the tournament. Manninger is an agile goalkeeper with quick reflexes. Still only 30, he has many years ahead of him as Austria’s goalkeeper.
René Aufhauser - The Red Bull Salzburg’s defensive midfielder has won over fourty caps for his country. Hickersberger has been one of the few coaches who has given Aufhauser a consistent spot in the starting eleven. Aufhauser is a no-nonsense midfielder and has notched nine goals for Austria during his career.
Star player
Andreas Ivanschitz - The 24-year-old is the captain of his side and is hugely popular with the fans. He plays as an attacking midfielder, providing the creativity for an attack bereft of ideas.
Verdict
If Austria do not dramatically improve in the next few months, they may be the poorest side at this summer’s tournament. Their preparations have been inauspicious so far, and Hickersberger is running out of time to get things right. They could have been placed in a tougher group, but even Group B will provide a stern test for Austria. As hosts, there will be enormous pressure on the team to perform. First-round exit.
