Indian summer warms Vastic

By Raimund Fabi

At the age of 35, there is not much in professional football that FK Austria Wien striker Ivica Vastic has not seen. However, as his side prepare for the home leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final against Parma FC, the prospect of a big crowd at the Ernst Happel stadium still sets his pulse racing.

Unbeatable feeling
"It is an honour for any player to play in front of a big crowd," he told uefa.com. "Nothing can beat that feeling. This is one reason why we all play football. It shows that the crowd appreciate your performance and what you are doing for the club. That's worth more than money."

Dark horses
Currently second in the Austrian Bundesliga, Vastic's team are regarded as perhaps the darkest of all the remaining UEFA Cup horses. Few anticipated Lars Söndergaard's side getting so far, but the experienced Vastic is by no means overawed at facing two-time tournament winners Parma on Thursday.

Parma hurdle
"Parma are favourites, but they have a young team whose performances vary from match to match," said the Croatian-born Austrian international. "They are only 17th in Serie A, fighting hard and that takes lots of energy. They are no better than us. All Italian sides fight hard, but we can beat them."

Unpleasant memory
Vastic has played against Parma before, in the 1999/00 UEFA Cup during his long spell at SK Stürm Graz - whom he left for Japanese team Nagoya Grampus Eight in 2002, having set a record as the club's most prolific scorer with 124 goals. On that occasion, they lost 5-4 on aggregate after extra time in Vienna.

Controversial goal
Vastic remembered: "I made it 2-1 to send the game into extra time. We took a 3-1 lead and thought we were through and then our goalkeeper conceded this goal and we still don't know if the ball crossed the line. The match ended 3-3 and we were out. I hope that never happens to me again."

Two fronts
A 1-0 win against FC Wacker Tirol on Saturday has left Austria within five points of league leaders SV Pasching, with a game in hand, but Vastic insists there is no conflict between seeking success at home and in Europe. "Every match is important," he said. "We will battle on both fronts until the end."

Veteran partners
A few years back, it seemed the end was nigh for Vastic's career, but after two seasons in Japan, he was delighted to sign for Austria and is now enjoying his football in a strike partnership with another hitman on the wrong side of 30, Norwegian Sigurd Rushfeldt.

'Not finished'
And while many players his age might be looking to hang up their boots this summer, the lure of the UEFA Champions League - and the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany - has obliterated any thoughts of retirement. "I'm not finished yet," Vastic said.

Goals galore
"I'm loving my football and playing well for the national team too - we can still qualify for Germany 2006," he added. "I want to win the national title and the UEFA Cup with Austria this year and I want Champions League football next season. So I can't stop and won't."

Onward, onward
That is an attitude which typifies Vastic's approach. Even as he looks back on his achievements, he cannot help but cast his mind forward. "Every success I've had is a highlight because you want to reach your goals," he said. "I've reached most of mine, but beyond every goal there is always another one to strive for."