Source: Xinhua

06-16-2008 10:49

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

KLAGENFURT, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Germany and Austria are to face each other in Vienna on Monday to fight for one place in the last eight of Euro 2008.

Germany will try to keep their ambitions of winning the tournament title alive while co-hosts Austria will defend their dignity at home.

After winning the opening match against Poland, ambitious Germany were snubbed 2-1 by Group B rivals Croatia. The three-time title holders have to beat Austria if they want to put their fate under their own control.

Co-hosts Austria are striving to have their dream of elevation alive as they tied Poland 1-1 thanks to an injury-time penalty during the second-round clash despite their loss in the opening game.

If they beat Germany Monday, Austria would also have the chanceto reach the last eight.

Austria coach Josef Hickersberger intended to repeat history of beating Germany as they did thirty years ago.

In 1978 FIFA World Cup in Cordoba of Argentina, then defending champions West Germany were eliminated by Austria 3-2, which has become so-called "Shame of Cordoba" among German football fans.

"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," said Hickersberger.

As the other host nation Switzerland have been eliminated, Austria's aspiration is higher as they were considered weaker hosts.

Hickersberger trusted his players and he was full of confidence prior to Monday's tit-for-tat battle with Germany.

"We're in excellent shape, we're better than we were in February and we have a decent chance. This is the biggest match of my life and it will be the biggest match of all time if we win," he said.

The coach would merely miss the suspended Sebastian Prodl on Monday's lineup, while for Germany, Bayern defender Jansen will miss out with a shoulder problem and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended following his red card on Thursday.

"Germany weren't that good against Croatia and they have problems. One or two players are injured, they're not playing that well and we have home advantage. I'd put our chances at 40 per cent - people might think I'm pessimistic but that's quite good," said Hickersberger.

However, Germany coach Joachim Loew has encouraged his players to "avoid pointing the finger at each other" since that defeat by Croatia and is anticipating a positive reaction.

"I promise you the team will play differently," he said. "Thirty million people will be watching in Germany and we have to win for them and for our nation."

"The match against Croatia is a thing of the past. We'll have to push to the limit because Austria have improved in the last few weeks and months. They're a team of fighters but we will go the extra mile," said Loew.

Germany's American fitness coach Shad Forsythe was sure Germany have the "physical fitness they need to win the title" as they face a crucial tie against Austria.

"Our players have learned from the mistakes made in the Croatia game and are determined not to make them again," he said.

"We have a chance to win this tournament and I have every faith in my team. This side definitely have the physical fitness they need to win the title," he added.

 

Editor:Xiong