Ivanschitz rallies the Austrian outsiders
June 16, 2008 at 5:37 pm | In Austria | Leave a CommentTags: Andreas Ivanschitz, Austria, Vienna
Austria captain Andreas Ivanschitz has called on his team to continue the progress they have made at UEFA EURO 2008™ and deliver a knockout blow to Germany in Vienna.
Hero status
It is a meeting that has gripped the co-host nation and provided the excuse to dust down memories of previous triumphs over their neighbours. Ivanschitz labelled it a “special match, a decisive match” and one that offers the chance for all of Josef Hickersberger’s players to become heroes. “It was important for us to draw against Poland as it gives us the opportunity to make it through to the quarter-finals,” said the 24-year-old Panathinaikos FC midfielder. “It makes it all the more interesting and for both sides it is a key match.”
Austria aiming to repeat history
June 16, 2008 at 7:49 am | In Austria | Leave a CommentTags: 1978 FIFA World Cup, Austria, Josef Hickersberger
Thirty years on from Austrian football’s most famous day Josef Hickersberger has history on his side when his team meet Germany in Vienna for a place in the UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-finals, although the coach is looking elsewhere for inspiration.
Vienna memories
A 3-2 win in Cordoba in the 1978 FIFA World Cup knocked out then holders West Germany, Austria’s sole victory in ten competitive fixtures against West and the unified Germany. Much has been made of that triumph – in which Hickersberger played – in the build-up to a game that will decide second place in Group B, yet the coach said: “Too much has been said about Cordoba. For me, history is repeating itself. In 1989, we played the German Democratic Republic in Vienna in a decisive qualifier for the 1990 World Cup and won [3-0]. The names are different now, but we’re looking forward to the match.”
Late blow strikes Saganowski hard
June 14, 2008 at 1:07 pm | In Poland | Leave a CommentTags: Artur Boruc, Austria, Josef Hickersberger, Leo Beenhakker, Marek Saganowski, Poland
Striker Marek Saganowski says coach Leo Beenhakker has a battle on his hands to raise Poland’s players for their Group B finale against Croatia after a disappointing finish against Austria.
Bleak
Poland endured serious pressure from Austria in the first 20 minutes in Vienna, with goalkeeper Artur Boruc making a number of saves to deny Josef Hickersberger’s side, before the game turned in Poland’s favour when Roger Guerreiro scored on 30 minutes. However, a stoppage-time penalty from Ivica Vastic earned the co-hosts a 1-1 draw and Poland now have a major battle on their hands to make the last 16. Leo Beenhakker’s team have one group match left, against Croatia in Klagenfurt on Monday, but Southampton FC forward Saganowski admits the mood in the camp is bleak.
Can Germany withstand the pressure?
June 13, 2008 at 11:32 pm | In Germany | Leave a CommentTags: Austria, Croatia, Germany, Joachim Low, Lukas Podolski, Michael Ballack
The disappointment following the 2-1 loss against Croatia was still etched on the face of Joachim Löw as he addressed the media today. The 48-year-old seemed very tense, perhaps the pressure of expectation weighing on his mind ahead of Germany’s encounter against their neighbours in what is sure to be an emotional night at a sold-out Ernst-Happel-Stadion against co-hosts Austria.
High expectations
After his team struggled to cope with a lively Croatian side in Klagenfurt yesterday, Löw will be asking himself if his players can handle such an all-or-nothing match such as the one which now awaits the Mannschaft. The whole country expects the team to make amends for the loss against Croatia, while the whole of Austria, given hope after the draw with Poland, are hoping for a surprise victory over Löw’s title favourites.
Strong nerves needed
Defender Philipp Lahm expressed his confidence that he and his team-mates are focused enough to see off Asutria and claim the win they need. But is he being overly optimistic? Captain Michael Ballack has not yet been able to reach his usual high standards. The German rearguard looked particularly unstable against Croatia, while in attack, only Lukas Podolski, with three goals in two games so far, seems the only threat. Can the Germans cope with the white-hot atmosphere which is waiting for them in Vienna.
Vastic rides to Austria’s rescue
June 13, 2008 at 8:28 pm | In Austria | Leave a CommentTags: Austria, Ivica Vastic
Ivica Vastic’s last-gasp penalty kept Austria in contention to reach the UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-finals, salvaging a draw against a Poland side who had looked set to take three points thanks to Roger Guerreiro’s first-half goal and some inspired goalkeeping from Artur Boruc.
Late drama
Boruc made four crucial interventions to frustrate a vibrant Austria before Roger was in the right place to tap in on the half-hour and give Poland the lead. Austria were staring a second successive 1-0 defeat in the face but, three minutes into added time, Marcin Wasilewski pulled Sebastian Prödl’s shirt and substitute Vastic became the oldest player to score in a UEFA European Championship, finally beating Boruc from the spot. These teams now have one point apiece, two fewer than Germany who are Austria’s final opponents on Monday, when Group B winners Croatia are the opposition for Poland.
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