Harnik hampers Austrian hopes

Austria striker Martin Harnik is a major doubt for the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, which starts a week today, after rupturing a ligament in his right ankle in a pre-season friendly with German club Werder Bremen's reserve side.

'Bitter' blow
The forward, who appeared in all six qualifying matches for Paul Gludovatz's Austria team, sustained the injury in a challenge during a game against VfL Germania Leer and had to be replaced. "This is a blow," he said. "I didn't have a chance to avoid the challenge, my opponent came from the side and I saw him too late. I don't care how long I am supposed to be out for, I have to be back in a week." Austria take on Belgium, the Czech Republic and hosts Poland in Group A at the U19 finals, and begin their campaign against the hosts on 18 July.