Preview: Austria - Germany

Jonathan Roorda - 15 June 2008 17:49

Germany's Michael Ballack

VIENNA (SW) - Austria will want to take their last chance to stay in the tournament against favorites Germany in their final Group B match.

An Austrian win could very well give them access to the quarter finals. Germany meanwhile, just need a draw to join group winners Croatia in the next stage.

The Austrians are still alive in this tournament thanks to a last-minute penalty against Poland. If it's up to manager Josef Hickersberger, his side will now go on to shock Germany.

"It's like chess. Of course we have a plan for the start, just like in chess, and we have a lot of tactical permutations for the various situations that could arise."

And player Martin Stranzl added: "We could write history. That is the pressure we are under."

But Austria are not the only ones under pressure, as German fans wouldn't be satisfied with anything less than a win on Monday.

Play maker Michael Ballack is convinced though that a good result should be possible: "The players got together after the Croatia match to discuss the mistakes which had been made. We were very self-critical, but the result was a very positive one.

"We have a lot of room for improvement and want to show what we can do in Vienna tomorrow. I'm not at all worried about this match."

The two teams met for a friendly in Austria earlier this year, and Germany earned a rather simple 3-0 victory.

Referee of the match, which is to start in Vienna at 20:45 CET, is Manuel Mejuto González.