Baumgartlinger keeps faith in Austria

The UEFA European Under-19 Championship hosts Austria may have lost their first game to Spain but captain Julian Baumgartlinger remains convinced his side can still reach the semi-finals as they prepare to meet Greece in Pasching.

Strong support
Encouraged by Austria's performance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, where they have progressed unbeaten to a semi-final with the Czech Republic, Baumgartlinger and his team-mates were aiming to impress the 11,700 supporters who had arrived at the Linzer Stadion hoping to witness victory against the holders. However, despite an impressive first-half display, they were punished for not making the most of their opportunities, going down 2-0. "We failed to convert our chances as we were lacking cleverness," said the 19-year-old TSV 1860 München midfielder. "Had we put the ball in the net the game could have been very different. Sometimes we play too offensively without protecting our own goal and that's exactly what cost us against Spain. Both goals were unnecessary."

Big ambition
Salzburg-born Baumgartlinger is firmly established as one of his country's biggest young talents and has ambitions of returning to his home city a year from now. "I hope to play in [UEFA] EURO 2008™, but first I have to focus on this tournament and seek success here in Linz," he said. After losing their opening game he is well aware of the importance of tonight's match against the team who overcame Portugal on Monday, adding: "We will have to beat Greece to keep our hopes alive. It will be tough, but if we play aggressively, stay compact and put the ball in the net we can win it."

'True honour'
Baumgartlinger is one of four players in Hermann Stadler's side who earn their living across the border in Germany having decided to try his luck abroad at 13, following in the footsteps of senior international Martin Stranzl by joining 1860 München. Although he has yet to make it into the club's first-team sqwuad he has no regrets, explaining: "It was a good decision to join 1860; I have developed as a player but also as a person. I'm very proud to be U19 international captain. It is a true honour, and anything is still possible. If we can get the same amazing support from our fans we can make things go our way. The longer we can stay in the matches here the more the fans will help us."