Former Austria midfielder Andreas Herzog insists home advantage will help to ensure the UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts are a force to be reckoned with next summer.
Finals ambassador
Herzog, who is working as a UEFA EURO 2008™ ambassador for his country, spoke to uefa.com users on the website and told Phil Gee: "The biggest advantage is that we play in Vienna in front of our supporters. We are the outsiders for every game but we will fight for 90 minutes and our opponents will have problems beating us."
Improving side
Austria have struggled for consistency in the build-up to the finals but Herzog, who won 103 international caps, believes there is cause for optimism. "We are young and building a new team who are gaining experience," the 39-year-old said. "We still have time to find the best team. This is the difference between qualifying and friendlies. We have beaten teams when we get a positive start, but if we fall behind, we are having problems. This aspect we need to change. Martin Stranzl, Emanuel Pogatetz, René Aufhauser and Andreas Ivanschitz are the leaders along with three very good goalkeepers. We hope they will perform to their maximum at the EURO finals."
Memories
Having played for SK Rapid Wien, Werder Bremen, FC Bayern München and LA Galaxy, Herzog looks with fondness on his career, but admits he will be happy to watch next summer's action from the stands. "I was at the [FIFA] World Cup twice, which were exciting tournaments for me, but I'm too old now so I don't think too much about playing," he told wiseking. "I am happy in a way that I don't have to train every day like my younger colleagues."
Promise
Some of those younger colleagues could yet make a name for themselves. HKPortuguesa asked which of the Austria side that performed so well at last summer's FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada could step up to UEFA EURO 2008™ prominence. "There are already some players like Sebastian Prodl, Veli Kavlak, Martin Harnik, Zlatko Junosovic and Erwin Hoffer. One of these guys is capable of making the improvement to make an impact at the finals. It's not easy to play with so many inexperienced players at this high level – it's about finding the correct mix."
Personal 'dream'
"It's very important our leaders in the team are in top form to help the younger players in tough situations," he said to Qurra, who inquired as to how far Austria can go in the finals. "If we get the ideal start then Austria will really get behind us." As for Herzog's future, he told Franco: "I have my coaching licence – it takes three to four years in Austria in terms of the stages. My dream job would be Austria national team coach."
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