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Austria finalise 2006 plan

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts Austria will take on 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers Croatia in a friendly on 23 May in Vienna's Ernst-Happel stadium.

'Attractive opponents'
The game is one of a number organised by the Austrian Football Association, with coach Josef Hickersberger aiming to play 20 in all before the finals kick off. He said: "Croatia are very strong and attractive opponents. I am convinced Croatia will reach the Round of 16 in Germany."

Busy programme
His first match in charge will also be in the Austrian capital, against Canada on 1 March. Hungary will then visit Graz on 16 August before Austria travel to UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts Switzerland from 2-6 September for the Four Nations Tournament. On 7 October Hickersberger's squad go to Liechtenstein, then play the Swiss in Innsbruck five days later, and the year's programme ends against Chile in Vienna on 15 November.

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