http://austria.worldcupblog.org/1/austrias-jimmy-hoffer.html Austria - World Cup 2010 - South Africa Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:33:14 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://austria.worldcupblog.org/1/austrias-jimmy-hoffer.html/comment-page-1#comment-640 j Wed, 07 May 2008 19:43:01 +0000 http://austria.worldcupblog.org/1/austrias-jimmy-hoffer.html#comment-640 I think the bigger issue of tournament goals is the long-term approach of the ÖFB and how this works in the overall plan. The ÖFB has taken a highly proactive role in the long-term planning of the game over the last few years and I don't think many fans around the world around aware of it. While its most notable player, Paul Scharner of Wigan heavily criticized the FA a few years ago, it has slowly amassed an tremendously cohesive plan that is one of the most ambitious in the world. They have brought in some of the best consultants in the world to understand elite development as well as putting an athletic development plan that is trickling down from the elite level to the youth programs and in support of domestic coaching. Last summers U-20 World Cup surprise was part of this up-turn and it'll be interesting how they merge younger players with more experienced ones as they face Croatia, Poland and Germany. I think the bigger issue of tournament goals is the long-term approach of the ÖFB and how this works in the overall plan. The ÖFB has taken a highly proactive role in the long-term planning of the game over the last few years and I don’t think many fans around the world around aware of it. While its most notable player, Paul Scharner of Wigan heavily criticized the FA a few years ago, it has slowly amassed an tremendously cohesive plan that is one of the most ambitious in the world. They have brought in some of the best consultants in the world to understand elite development as well as putting an athletic development plan that is trickling down from the elite level to the youth programs and in support of domestic coaching. Last summers U-20 World Cup surprise was part of this up-turn and it’ll be interesting how they merge younger players with more experienced ones as they face Croatia, Poland and Germany.

]]> http://austria.worldcupblog.org/1/austrias-jimmy-hoffer.html/comment-page-1#comment-639 Ian Rose Wed, 07 May 2008 18:37:44 +0000 http://austria.worldcupblog.org/1/austrias-jimmy-hoffer.html#comment-639 Has anyone in the Austrian federation talked about what exactly the goal should be for the tournament? One win? A certain number of points? Or qualification out of the group stage, though that seems a bit optimistic. Has anyone in the Austrian federation talked about what exactly the goal should be for the tournament? One win? A certain number of points? Or qualification out of the group stage, though that seems a bit optimistic.

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