Under-17 team guide: Austria

For Austria's Under-17 team page click here

One of the surprise qualifiers for the finals, the Austrians will be hoping to emulate the success of neighbours Switzerland, who last season shocked Europe by lifting the first UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

THE COACH:
Under the tutelage of Ernst Weber Austria's U17 side have captured the public imagination, and the coach believes the best may yet be to come. "A dream draw," he said after his side were paired with hosts Portugal, Hungary and Denmark. "For us this means that we can maybe reach the semi-finals."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Three of Weber's squad are considered to be particularly promising. Sascha Pichler, the captain and main goalscorer, plays for FK Austria Wien. During Austria's crucial qualifier against Serbia-Montenegro he came on as a second-half substitute scored and then departed injured after just four minutes on the pitch.

Five-goal tally
In all Pichler scored five goals in the qualifying matches, the highest tally of any player who will be at the finals in Portugal. Meanwhile Franz Scheimer of SV Ried and Ronald Gercabiu of SK Sturm Graz are the pillars of the side's defence.

ROUTE TO THE FINALS:
In the first qualifying round Austria cruised past F.Y.R. Macedonia 2-0 and Faroe Islands 6-0 before facing Romania to determine which side topped the group. Austria triumphed 2-1 and moved into second qualifying round Group 3.

Thrilling climax
After a 2-0 win against host nation Northern Ireland in their opening game Austria were held 0-0 by Finland. That left the Austrians to face Serbia-Montenegro with a place in the finals on offer to the winner. In the event, the sides played out a thrilling 2-2 draw to leave them both on five points - however the Austrians progressed by virtue of their superior goal difference.

Austria youth honours:
UEFA European Under-16 Championship:
Runners-up 1997