time to rise-up Vienna!
All eyes return to Vienna for a crucial match Thursday evening between co-host Austria and Poland with both squads knowing the chance of advancing is dependent upon a victory.
While coming into the tournament as the ninety-second ranked team in the world, Coach Hickersberger has laid the firm goal of advancing through the first round. With the Austrian FA (Österreichischer Fußball Bund) investing wisely over the last few years in a sound domestic developmental plan, the team has made leaps and bounds in performance and if I may, surprised everyone in their first match against Croatia with an inspired, passionate performance.
Standing in the way is Poland, led by Leo Beenhakker, who strikes me as the type of man you don’t bet against. His long career has been marked with the ability to take teams far beyond their pedigree and sly motivational skills. Now after serving as Poland’s Manager for two years, guiding them to their first Euro tournament, receiving the Order of Polonia Restituta from the Polish President, he sits on the verge of having the team qualify for the quarter-finals. Make no mistake, Don Leon, will have his squad ready.
In their first match against Germany, Poland displayed a remarkable work-rate and their mid-field was all over the pitch. With the loss of their captain Maciej Zurawski, the experienced Jacek Bąk will carry the mantle of responsibility and as he has done through his career, lead through example. While midfielder Mariusz Lewandowski has been troubled with an injury and some have questioned whether he will be ready, inside reports suggest he is fully fit and ready. For those who weren’t familiar with Roger Guerreiro prior to the Germany match, you likely are wondering how he has escaped not playing in a larger venue to-date as his speed and creativity can cause the opposition to go into fits. With Roger Guerreiro’s pace and crossing ability, I expect a more offensive assault by Poland and considerable pressure on Austria’s back four of Mad-Dog Pogatetz, Martin Stranzl, György Garics and the youthful Sebastian Prödl. Austria will need to be at its best to deal with the pace and intensity of Poland.
Coach Hickersberger has cleverly built Austria’s confidence and the verge of the match the team is focused upon pulling off one of the teams greatest upsets in recent memory. To do so, they will employ a more aggressive 4-4-2 attack, although not completely throw its defensive mind-set to the wind. As per the case with the opening match, a veil of secrecy surrounds the squad although he has certainly given clues that the pace-laden tandem of Martin Harnik and Jimmy Hoffer could be paired up-front as well as Hoffer with Roland Linz or Roman Kienast. With Ivica Vastić, who looked positively brilliant at times against Croatia, in the starting midfield with Andreas Ivanschitz, the squad is on the hunt for goals and bringing further pride to Austria. And with a packed house and a nation brimming with pride, you can expect resounding support.
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Comments


Good luck to you guys. You were very unlucky in the first game, since Switzerland is out of this, I hope you can make it. It would be very sad to be both out.
Posted from
Italy




Jan; thank you. I’m looking forward to an exciting match against a great opponent and I know whatever the outcome they will go forward and make us all proud. If you have time try to join in on the live blog – maybe we can figure out who wins Ottakringer for life! Well, can’t wait for the start ~ joga bonito!
Posted from
Germany




as i wrote elswhere, austria played really crappy football, when you didn’t finish the several 100% situations in the beginning. we shitted out pants, just as we did in our 1st game. only after some time we got teh control. mind the staticstics. after the first 20 mins, you didn’t even get a shot on target until the last few minutes. two weak teams met today, poland being the less weak one.
for us, it was enough to have one offside to score. you needed a penalty and you got it. you should be really grateful to this twat refferee, he did his best to give you a draw. it’s fu**ing dissappointing such shit happens in the euros.
no disrespect to austria, you may have not put your finger to it.
Posted from
Poland


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