The Contenders...Austria

Having had a short break it's now time to start winding up to the big tournament itself. Over the next few weeks we'll be taking a look at the sixteen contenders for Euro 2008, the top players to look out for, the venues for the matches and anything else I can muster up the energy to include. Today we start by looking at our first team, one of the hosts and everyone's favourite whipping boys...

Austria

THE MANAGER...
The Austrians will be led into Euro 2008 by Josef Hickersberger. One of the most succesful figures in Austrian football and in his second spell in charge of the national team Hickersberger will be hoping to get the best out of his young squad and do better than he did when last in charge of his country.
Hickersberger led Austria to the World Cup in 1990 after taking charge for the qualifying stages in 1988. After a poor tournament he managed to hang onto the job until a defeat to the Faroe Islands during qualifying for Euro 92 saw him being sacked after 29 matches in charge.
Having travelled around since managing sides in Germany, Austria and then the Middle East the 60 year old returned to manage Austria Vienna and led them to the 2003/04 Austrian league title and a place in the group stages of the Champions League before returning to manage the national side.

QUALIFYING STAGES...
Being a host, Austria didn't need to endure the qualification process, which is probably a blessing in disguise as they would probably have failed to make their own tournament if they had faced up against some of Europe's big guns. Ranked 102 in the world, one place ahead of Benin and their lowest ever FIFA ranking, the Austrians have spent the last year or so playing friendly matches and blooding young players in a bid to get themselves ready for their biggest test in years. During these games they have managed one victory in the last eleven matches, a 1-0 win over the Ivory Coast. They have faced some stern opposition though in England, France, Holland and Germany during these games but it doesn't bode well for when they come up against their tough group rivals when Euro 2008 gets underway. Here are the Austrians last five friendly results...

26/03/2008 Austria 3 Holland 4
06/02/2008 Austria 0 Germany 3
21/11/2007 Austria 0 Tunisia 0
16/11/2007 Austria 0 England 1
17/10/2007 Austria 3 Ivory Coast 2

THEIR GROUP...
Austria were drawn in Group B and will face tournament favourites Germany. The scourge of England, Croatia and surprise package Poland who had a tremendous qualifying campaign finishing top of their group ahead of Portugal.


PLAYERS TO WATCH...
Andreas Ivanschitz... Attacking midfielder Ivanschitz, pictured, is the Austrian captain and plays his club football in Greece with Panathinaikos. The 24 year old is a huge favourite of the fans and media alike and has been dubbed the' Austrian Beckham'.
Emanuel Pogatetz... Probably the most recognisable of the Austrians, Pogatetz plays his football in the Premiership for Middlesborough. The 35 year old defender is one of the most experienced players likely to make the Austrian's final squad.
Martin Harnik... German born Harnik could prove to be the surprise package for the Austrians in Euro 2008. The 20 year old striker, who holds an Austrian passport and chose to play for them ahead of Germany, has been gaining praise after breaking into the Werder Bremen first team from their Under 23 squad this season.

THE KIT...
The Austrian's play in kit made by Puma.
Their home kit consists of red top, white shorts with red flashes and white socks with red tops. The away kit has black tops with gold flashes, black shorts with gold flashes and black socks with gold tops.
Buy the Austria home and away strip here...

THEIR CHANCES...
The Austrians, even with home advantage, will do well to get a point from Group B...simple as that in my view. If they do get anything then I'm a Water-Skiing Squirrel!