Austria squad
Goalkeepers
Jurgen MACHO
24.08.77
AEK Athens (Gre)
13 caps (0 goals)
Made his name in England, in spells with Sunderland and Chelsea. Swallowed his tongue after a collision during the recent England friendly; his life was saved by Austria’s chief medic.
Alex MANNINGER
04.06.77
Siena (Ita)
26 caps (0 goals)
Failed to usurp No 1 David Seaman at Arsenal and his career seemed over when released by Espanyol in 2003. But he fought back and is now proving his class in Serie A with Siena.
Ramazan OZCAN
28.6.84.
Hoffenheim
0 caps (0 goals)
Former Under-21 keeper who was handed a late call-up to the Euro 2008 squad after Helge Payer was ruled out with a stomach injury.
Defenders
Gyorgy GARICS
08.03.84
Napoli (Ita)
11 caps (1 goal)
The pacy, skilful Hungary-born right-back has flourished this season at Napoli, where he spent most of his first season, 2006-07, on the bench. Previously at Rapid Wien.
Ronald GERCALIU
12.02.86
Austria Wien
10 caps (0 goals)
The skilful Albania-born defender had a sensational spell at Sturm Graz but has lost momentum since a move to Austria Wien last year. National squad place under pressure from Martin Hiden.
Martin HIDEN
11.3.73
1899 Kaernten
48 caps (1 goal)
Experienced central defender. Had a brief spell at Leeds United but has otherwise played only in Austria, winning league titles with Salzburg, Austria Vienna and Rapid Vienna. Age catching up with him.
Markus KATZER
11.12.79
Austria Wien
10 caps (0 goals)
Left-back, who, after tearing a cruciate ligament in September, Katzer was back in the Rapid team by March only to undergo an appendectomy one month later.
Franz SCHIEMER
21.03.86
Austria Wien
4 caps (0 goals)
Very confident, agile and versatile player – he can operate in central defence, at full-back or even as a defensive midfielder. Off the pitch, “Frankie” is one of the squad’s jokers.
Emanuel POGATETZ
16.01.83
Middlesbrough (Eng)
25 caps (1 goal)
“Mad Dog”, a regular starter at Middlesbrough, is a fierce tackler and always fully committed. However, he lacks the technical skill to interest an elite European club.
Sebastian PRODL
21.06.87
Sturm Graz
8 caps (2 goals)
“The long fellow” has quickly developed into a leader at Sturm and in the national side. Offers hard tackling, aerial ability and attacking sensibilities. Will join Werder Bremen in the summer.
Martin STRANZL
16.06.80
Spartak Moscow (Rus)
43 caps (2 goals)
The unofficial team captain, the player the squad looks up to and who rallies them when necessary. Left Austria for 1860 Munich at just 17. Moved on to Stuttgart and now Spartak Moscow.
Midfielders
Rene AUFHAUSER
21.06.76
Salzburg
49 caps (10 goals)
Austria’s best defensive midfielder. A superb tackler and his headers make him dangerous up front. Afraid of flying – ironic, since Salzburg’s sponsor, Red Bull, is the energy drink that gives you wings!
Christian FUCHS
07.04.86
Mattersburg
16 caps (0 goals)
Although rather fragile, the young winger shows tremendous determination and has a strong shot. Very fond of Wiener schnitzel.
Andreas IVANSCHITZ
15.10.83
Panathinaikos (Gre)
37 caps (6 goals)
Technically strong captain and playmaker, viewed by the fans as Austria’s Beckham. Led Rapid Wien to a surprise title win in 2005 but a move to Salzburg did not work out. Now at Panathinaikos.
Umit KORKMAZ
17.9.85
Rapid Vienna
1 cap (0 goals)
Winger who can play on either flank. Earned late call-up into Josef Hickersberger’s squad on the back of impressive performances for Rapid Vienna this season. Has joint Turkish nationality.
Christoph LEITGEB
14.04.85
Salzburg
17 caps (0 goals)
Shows great commitment and has a fine touch. Shone at Sturm Graz and has continued to flourish at Salzburg, where he is a regular starter despite the influx of renowned foreigners.
Jurgen SAUMEL
08.09.84
Sturm Graz
9 caps (0 goals)
Sturm’s captain is a born leader and has everything it takes to move to a big European league. Dreams of joining favourite club Milan.
Joachim STANDFEST
30.05.80
Austria Wien
29 caps (2 goals)
Aptly named since “standfest” is the German for reliable – he is consistent and misses few games. Quick and technically skilled but a bit lightweight.
Forwards
Martin HARNIK
10.06.87
Werder Bremen (Ger)
7 caps (1 goal)
The pacy forward is one of the squad’s best young talents. Harnik has developed well at Werder Bremen and could also have played for Germany since he has dual nationality.
Erwin HOFFER
14.04.87
Rapid Wien
2 caps (0 goals)
Strong-shooting, pacy striker who has become a first-team regular at Rapid. Wants to become a sea angler at the end of his career. Nicknamed “Jimmy”, after ex-US trade union leader Jimmy Hoffa.
Roman KIENSAT
29.3.84
Ham-Kam
6 caps (1 goal)
Played all 90 minutes of Austria’s 0-0 draw against Tunisia in November but has otherwise been used as a substitute.
Roland LINZ
09.08.81
Sporting Braga (Por)
30 caps (5 goals)
The hard-working ex-Austria Wien man has proved his ability with Portugal’s Boavista and Sporting Braga when many expected him to fail abroad because of a lack of physical strength.
Ivica VASTIC
29.9.69
Rapid Wien
47 caps (12 goals)
The 38-year-old was the surprise inclusion in Josef Hickersberger’s squad. Croatian-born Vastic made his Austria debut shortly after receiving citizenship in 1996 and made the 1998 World Cup squad.
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