Austria aim for finals place

By Raimund Fabi

Austria are in confident mood as they bid to reach the finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, but first must overcome Slovakia, Greece and Scotland if they are to earn a place in Northern Ireland.

Top-flight experience
The Elite round Group 5 mini-tournament hosts finished third in 2003 but missed out last year, although head coach and technical director Willi Ruttensteiner believes his players are in good shape this time round. "Many of our key players, like midfielders Christian Fuchs and Gerald Säumel and defender Ronald Gercaliu, already feature in the Austrian Bundesliga, many more in the first division," said the coach. "Strikers Patrick Mayer [SBV Vitesse] and [ACF Fiorentina's] Sascha Pichler play abroad, and we need them all to qualify."

Unbeaten run
Having remained unbeaten to win qualifying round Group 12, Ruttensteiner's side have continued their impressive form so far in 2005, losing only to Portugal in four friendlies. "Our results are really good against the best teams in Europe," the Austria coach said. "This gives us real hope to get through; this team has the power to qualify and surprise people again."

Long-term ambition
Austria also had home advantage at this stage of the competition a year ago but lost out to Poland, and Ruttensteiner is already thinking ahead, saying: "Many players from this successful team will progress to the Under-21 side and go on to the seniors for [UEFA] EURO 2008™. This team gives us real hope for the future. Our aim must always be to qualify for the finals, and I think we'll make it this year."

Qualifying win
Slovakia also won their qualifying round section, and have prepared with a number of friendlies against club sides and training camps in Cyprus and Slovakia. Stanislav Baran's side won one and drew one against Hungary, although the Czech Republic inflicted a 3-1 defeat on their neighbours.

Future importance
The Slovakians have also recently finished third in this competition, in 2002, and Baran – assistant to Peter Polák three years ago – has high hopes for the 2005 crop, saying: "We always speak with the players about their future and the importance of national shirts. Their confidence grows after each good result, and we will keep playing open, attacking football."

Key figures
One of Greek football's most famous names, former international Nikolaos Nioblias, will be hoping to make an impact in his first coaching post and guide his country to the finals for the first time since 1999 when, with the tournament played as an U18 event, the side finished fourth. Panionios NFC pair Grigorios Makos and Ioannis Maniatis, together with Stylianos Iliadis, Vassilios Sahinidis, Efthymios Kotitsas and Antonios Ricca, should all be key figures.

'Clear aim'
"Our aim is to qualify; I cannot be clearer than that," said Nioblias. "We won't be looking for excuses if we fail. Our team are in good form and I have faith in our potential. Slovakia have a strong side, while Austria have home advantage, but I am confident and optimistic."

Scottish strength
Scotland are also in form, unbeaten in eight matches this season, and finished second in qualifying round Group 8. "It will be tough, but after the results we've had, there is nothing to fear," said coach Tommy Wilson, whose plans have been disrupted by the late withdrawal of midfield player Michael Gardyne with an ankle injury. "Our performances have been superb, and this squad has the capability to achieve great things. Only eight teams will be in Northern Ireland, and we're determined to be one."

Additional reporting by Stanislav Hlavácek, Vassiliki Papantonopoulou and Alex O'Henley