Key facts• With only friendly games to prepare themselves for co-hosting the finals, Austria have endured some tough times.
• Charged with the task of building a new Austria side for 2008, coach Josef Hickersberger knew the process was likely to be a painful one, saying: “It goes without saying that this process means facing and overcoming obstacles and setbacks.”
• Hickersberger lost his first three games in charge before a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica in September 2006 helped ease the pressure. He finally earned a first win at the fifth attempt, 2-1 against Liechtenstein thanks to a late Thomas Prager goal, and followed that up with a 2-1 victory against fellow hosts Switzerland.
• René Aufhauser struck a hat-trick in a 4-1 success against Trinidad & Tobago in October 2006, but it was to be another year – and another ten games – before won again, beating Ivory Coast 3-2 in Innsbruck.
• Further defeats to group rivals, Germany (0-3), and also the Netherlands (3-4) followed during the main international friendly dates in 2008 prior to the finals proper.
• Hickersberger continues to blood young talent, and said: “I’m convinced we will see a very different national team at the European Championship. Both Austria and Switzerland will be excellent hosts. They will put on a sensational tournament and I am convinced that both teams will reach the quarter-finals.”• Going into the finals of UEFA EURO 2008, their record in the tournament was 80 matches played, with 33 wins, 13 draws and 34 defeats, and 146 goals scored and 125 conceded.
from: http://en.euro2008.uefa.com
Tags: Euro 2008, screensaver
