Manager: Josef Hickersberger. Won 39 caps for Austria and played in the 1978 World Cup. Appointed coach in 1988 and led Austria to Italia '90, but was sacked after a 1-0 defeat to the Faroe Islands in Euro 92 qualification. Tried his luck in the Middle East before returning to Austria with Rapid Vienna and then being re-appointed in 2006.
Captain: Andreas Ivanschitz. The 24-year-old carries a heavy burden into the tournament as one of Austria's star players and a major goal threat from midfield. Plays for Greek side Panathinaikos and is known as the "Austrian Beckham" back home, the co-hosts are relying on his trusty left foot to do some damage.
Euro highlights: Well, they've never qualified for the European Championship and they probably wouldn't have got to this one had they not been co-hosts, so they are very much an unknown quantity on the big stage. Last qualification of any sort was for the 1998 World Cup in France.
Euro legend: That title is very much up for grabs this summer.
Star man: Emanuel Pogatetz. Austria have few players with experience in one of Europe's major leagues and the 25-year-old has spent the last three seasons impressing at left-back and centre-back for Middlesbrough. Banned in 2006 after criticising Hickersberger and Ivanschitz, but back in the side now and they cannot afford to be without him.
Strengths: Defence. With Pogatetz, Spartak Moscow's Martin Stranzl and 20-year-old Sebastian Prodl, who will sign for Werder Bremen in the summer, Austria have a reliable backline to complement former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger.
Weaknesses: Up front. Relatively solid at the back, Austria's principal problem will be scoring goals. Prodl bagged a brace in the 4-3 friendly defeat by the Netherlands in March, but they will be relying on SC Braga's Roland Linz and Austria Vienna's Sanel Kuljic up front. Not exactly mouth-watering.
World ranking: 92nd.
Our verdict: Of the two hosts, Austria are most up against it to have a successful tournament. Not in the hardest group, but they will have to cause an almighty upset to beat either Germany or Croatia.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?