Source: Xinhua
06-08-2008 10:16
Special Report: 2008 European ChampionshipsVIENNA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria intend to win at least one match in their first appearance in every-four-year football gala, Austria coach Josef Hickersberger said on Saturday.
"For the first time in 18 years, we want to win a match in a major tournament, "Hickersberger told a pre-match press conference on Saturday.
The co-hosts will start their Euro 2008 opener with Group B rivals Croatia at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on Sunday.
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," he added.
Austria has never shown up at the final stage of European football championship. This year, it gets the entrance ticket automatically as co-hosts.
However, 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," he added.
However, football fans have cast higher expectations on Croatiaas the team has topped qualifying Group E ahead of Russia, England and Israel.
In addition, they have also beaten Austria in all three meetings between the two sides, including a 4-1 triumph in Vienna two years ago.
"We think we can go far. 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," said Croatia coach Slaven Bilic.
Editor:Xiong Qu
