Mixed memories as neighbours meet

With Group B containing the only two teams of the 16 finalists never to compete in a UEFA European Championship (Austria and Poland), three-time winners Germany will be strongly favoured to advance to the quarter-finals. Co-hosts Austria will play all three of their matches in Vienna, and will be striving to record maiden competitive victories against Croatia and Poland as uefa.com looks at some past meetings between the protagonists in the section.

Austria v Germany

Austria's only competitive victory against their neighbours came at the 1978 FIFA World Cup, when legendary striker Hans Krankl scored twice in a momentous 3-2 win.

Four years later they were involved in an infamous group match at the 1982 finals. West Germany won 1-0 – a result which enabled both teams to progress to the second phase at the expense of Algeria, who had already completed their programme. The unsportsmanlike behaviour led to the widespread practice of staging final group matches simultaneously

The last five meetings have all been friendlies, with Germany winning the last three – 5-1 in Vienna, 6-2 in Leverkusen and, most recently on 18 August 2004, 3-1 in Vienna with a hat-trick from Kevin Kuranyi.

Austria v Croatia

The sides have never played in a competitive match but met in Vienna on 23 May 2006 in a friendly. Croatia won 4-1 thanks to goals from Ivan Klasnić (two), Marko Babić and Boško Balaban. Andreas Ivanschitz scored Austria's consolation.

Austria v Poland

Poland did the double over Austria in the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring three goals in each match (with six different scorers).

Poland also scored three goals when the teams last met in a friendly, on 17 May 1994 in Katowice, but Austria scored four to win. Midfielder Peter Stöger claimed a hat-trick.

Croatia v Germany

The first official encounter came at EURO '96™, where Germany prevailed in a physical quarter-final meeting. Croatia were reduced to ten men after Igor Štimac's red card, and Germany scored the winner soon afterwards through Matthias Sammer, the 1996 Ballon d'Or winner.

Croatia got their revenge two years later at the 1998 World Cup, unexpectedly winning another quarter-final by a 3-0 margin - a red card for German defender Christian Wörns turning the contest in their favour. Robert Jarni, Goran Vlaović and Davor Šuker scored Croatia's goals.

Croatia v Poland

Croatia have the upper hand in the four friendlies played so far, although Poland won the most recent meeting, a 2006 World Cup warm-up game in Wolfsburg, 1-0 with a goal from Euzebiusz Smolarek. The forward was Poland's top scorer in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying.

Germany v Poland

Poland have never beaten Germany in 15 attempts, the most recent defeat coming at last year's World Cup finals, where Swiss-born Oliver Neuville's last-minute winner knocked the Poles out of the tournament.

The two teams also met at the other World Cup staged on German soil, in 1974. There again the hosts won 1-0, in a decisive second phase game on a rain-soaked pitch in Frankfurt, thanks to a late winner from Gerd Müller.

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Broadcasters gather in Zurich

Just a day after the UEFA EURO 2008™ Final Draw the broadcast partners are gathered in Zurich for the second workshop organised by UEFA Media Technologies SA. The meeting will provide the rights-holding broadcasters with detailed information on the services planned for next summer's tournament.

First time
In total, 50 broadcast partners from 37 countries – ranging from TF1 and M6 from France to Greece's ERT and ESPN from the United States – are attending the two-day workshop where they were welcomed by UEFA Marketing Director Philippe Le Floc'h and UEFA Media Technologies SA CEO Alexandre Fourtoy.

Detailed Reports
Mr Fourtoy will lead proceedings and the 200 attendees will hear presentations about all relevant broadcast topics during the course of the workshop. "The first workshop marked the start of the partnership approach adopted by UEFA. The second workshop will be the opportunity to intensify our fruitful relationship," said Fourtoy. "Furthermore, it gives UEFA the chance to present more detailed reports on the status of the organisation of the tournament and the Host Broadcast Operations project as well as on UEFA's approach in terms of television and media worldwide."

Unilateral Meetings
After the presentations, the broadcast partners will have the opportunity to talk to the experienced Host Broadcast Operations team, who will be at their disposal to field specific questions. "The unilateral meetings give us the chance to discuss special requests put forward by the broadcast partners and to try to find a solution," explained Joachim Wildt, Head of Partner Services at UEFA Media Technologies.

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Déjà vu for Group D hopefuls

Defending champions Greece will tackle the only side to defeat them at the previous finals when they take on Russia in their second UEFA EURO 2008™ fixture on 14 June. The other Group D contestants, Spain and Sweden, also played in Portugal and will hope to replicate the heroics of Otto Rehhagel's side this time around. uefa.com looks at the key past meetings between the sides.

Greece v Russia

Dmitri Kirichenko and Dmitri Bulykin were on target inside the opening 17 minutes as the Russians overcame Greece 2-1 in Faro-Loule in 2004. Greece sneaked through, however, and the rest is history.

The teams qualified together for the 1994 FIFA World Cup from the same group. Greece finished top, and unbeaten, after winning the final qualifier 1-0 against Russia in Athens. It was the first appearance at the competition for both countries.

In the qualifying tournament for EURO '96™, Russia beat Greece home and away to advance to England at their expense.

Greece v Sweden

The teams have never met in a UEFA European Championship or FIFA World Cup but they did face each other at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Sweden running out 9-0 winners.

In five friendly meetings since then, Sweden have failed to record a victory. The most recent encounter, on 20 August 2003, brought Greece's first success on Swedish soil as they overcame their hosts 2-1 in Norrkoping.

Greece v Spain

Greece and Spain drew 1-1 in the 2004 finals, Fernando Morientes opening the scoring for Spain and Angelos Charisteas equalising for Greece.

The two countries also met in qualifying for that tournament. Each team registered an away victory, with Greece surprisingly topping the group and forcing Spain to qualify via a play-off against Norway.

Spain won a friendly at the start of this season 3-2 in Salonika thanks to two goals from David Silva, his second coming three minutes into added time.

Sweden v Spain

The teams qualified for the finals from the same group. Spain clinched their place with a 3-0 home win over the Swedes in their penultimate fixture. Joan Capdevila, Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Ramos scored the goals in Madrid. Four days later Sweden confirmed their qualification with a 2-1 home success against Latvia.

Goals from Johan Elmander and Marcus Allbäck had condemned Spain to defeat in the reverse fixture in Stockholm in October 2006.

The countries have one win apiece at the World Cup but have never met in a EURO.

Sweden v Russia

Their only competitive meeting came at the 1994 World Cup and was played indoors in Detroit. Sweden won 3-1 thanks to two goals from striker Martin Dahlin after Russia had been reduced to ten men with the score at 1-1. The result ensured Sweden's progress to the knockout rounds and eliminated Russia.

Russia have never beaten Sweden in five attempts. The most recent encounter, a Moscow friendly in August 2002, ended with honours even as Zlatan Ibrahimović cancelled out Aleksandr Kerzhakov's opening goal in the final minute.

Spain v Russia

Spain defeated Russia in their opening game of UEFA EURO 2004™, winning 1-0 in the Algarve with a goal from substitute Juan Carlos Valerón – less than a minute after he had entered the field. Neither team made it through to the quarter-finals.

Russia are still searching for their first goal against Spain although they are yet to play them at home. The most recent game was a goalless draw in Albacete on 27 May 2006.

Spain beat reigning champions the Soviet Union 2-1 in the 1964 European Championship final in Madrid. The two nations had been drawn to meet in the quarter-finals four years earlier but Spain refused to travel to the Soviet Union on political grounds and withdrew. The Soviets went on to win the inaugural trophy, beating Yugoslavia in the final.

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New options for corporate clients

Euro 2008 SA chief operating officer Martin Kallen expects there to be "huge demand" for the remaining UEFA EURO 2008™ hospitality packages with interested parties now able to pick and choose the matches they would like to attend following Sunday's draw for the final tournament.

'Unforgettable experience'
In addition to selecting individual games of interest, clients continue to have the option to purchase multi-match packages. Kallen said: "As 75 per cent of the programme was already sold prior to the draw, it is now expected that there will be huge demand for the remaining 25 per cent. With a hospitality package for the final round of the UEFA European Championship a company can guarantee an unforgettable experience for its guests."

Entertainment
The hospitality packages include a top-category seat, gourmet catering, a special entertainment programme before and after the match as well as access to the hospitality area. The package portfolio is updated and the new offer includes group matches available on a single-match basis, at a starting price of €1,250 (CHF 2,125). Official hospitality packages can only be purchased via IMG, the exclusive sales agency for the tournament. Further information is available on www.euro2008.com.

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Draw sets up heavyweight contests

Former winners the Netherlands, Italy and France will meet in Group C of UEFA EURO 2008™, after a finals draw at the Culture and Convention Centre in Lucerne which served up a number of mouthwatering contests, notably co-hosts Austria against neighbours Germany in Group B.

Old foes

France and Italy are all-too familiar rivals having faced off the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, a match won by the Azzurri, and also in qualifying for these finals. Romania, who finished ahead of the Netherlands on the road to Austria and Switzerland, complete the most testing of the groups. Meanwhile, Austria and Germany, the three-time winners, were drawn alongside Croatia and a Poland team who – like the Austrians – are making their debut at this level.

Opening match
Switzerland will open the 13th UEFA European Championship on 7 June with a Group A game against the Czech Republic at St. Jakob-Park in Basel. Turkey and Portugal make up that section. Holders Greece find themselves in Group D alongside Sweden, Spain and Russia. Matches will be played at eight stadiums across as many cities in the two countries, with the tournament reaching a climax at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on 30 June. Click here for the full UEFA EURO 2008™ match schedule.

Lavish event
The Culture and Convention Centre on the shore of Lake Lucerne was the setting for the draw, which was conducted by Swiss actress Melanie Winiger and Austrian television presenter Rainer Pariasek. The duo were joined on stage by representatives of the teams that have lifted the trophy previously: Valentin Ivanov (USSR, 1960), Luis Suárez (Spain, 1964), Dino Zoff (Italy, 1968), Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany, 1972), Anton Ondrus (Czechoslovakia, 1976), Bernard Dietz (West Germany, 1980), Michel Platini (France, 1984), Marco van Basten (Netherlands, 1988), Peter Schmeichel (Denmark, 1992), Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany, 1996), Didier Deschamps (France, 2000), and Theodoros Zagorakis (Greece, 2004). Eight of those players participated in making the draw together with UEFA's Gianni Infantino.

Summer days
There were also performances from José Carreras, the Vienna Boys' Choir and Swiss alphorn player Eliana Burki among others. Threads of golden Christmas lights will illuminate the streets of Lucerne after dark today but already thoughts are turning to the stars and showdowns that will light up the long days of next summer.

Group A Group B Switzerland Austria Czech Republic Croatia Portugal Germany Turkey Poland

Group C Group D Netherlands Greece Italy Sweden Romania Spain France Russia

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Swiss mix a boon to coach KuhnSwiss mix a boon to coach Kuhn

Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn and Turkey counterpart Fatih Terim were quick to extend the hand of friendship after their sides were drawn together alongside the Czech Republic and Portugal in Group A. The two countries were involved in an ugly altercation in Istanbul during the 2006 FIFA World Cup play-offs which resulted in Turkey having to play three home UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers in Germany. "What happens on the pitch remains on the pitch," said Terim in Lucerne, while Kuhn emphasised the need "to look forward". The co-hosts will kick off the tournament in Basel on 7 June against the Czech Republic, whose coach Karel Brückner, like his Portugal equivalent Luiz Felipe Scolari, felt it was too early to comment on the draw, preferring instead to wait until he had "thoroughly learned the strengths and weaknesses" of his opponents.

Jakob Kuhn, Switzerland coach
It's a very attractive group – a nice lineup and I'm looking forward to seeing Portugal, the Czech Republic and Turkey in Basel. Regarding Turkey, we don't need to be concerned with what happened in the past in Istanbul. Instead, we have to look forward. The first leg against them in Berne was very good and played in a good spirit, and we want the same in Basel this time.

Fatih Terim, Turkey coach
It is impossible to expect a weak opponent here. All the teams are among the most successful in Europe. We respect all our opponents and wish them luck for the finals. I think our group is very tough and competitive. We all know how good Switzerland, Portugal and the Czech Republic are. Like every other team, our aim is to get through the group. If we can manage that, of course we'll have bigger targets but first you have to get there. Switzerland, Portugal and the Czech Republic might not sound like Germany, Italy or Spain but performance-wise they can be even better. With Switzerland, what happens on the pitch remains on the pitch. We have always had friendly relations with Switzerland. Some unwanted things might have happened which we don't want to go into again. I think both teams will compete well and make fair-play gestures on and off the field. The last player I embraced before coming to this press conference was the Swiss captain, Alexander Frei.

Karel Brückner, Czech Republic coach
All the teams at UEFA EURO 2008™ are quality sides and I don't want to speculate on whether it's a good draw or not. We have respect for each of them and will only talk about specific opponents at a later date once we've thoroughly examined their strengths and weaknesses. Therefore I cannot say I'm satisfied with the draw or not – although I will be satisfied if we go through.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, Portugal coach
It is difficult to comment on the draw. It's fair but we will face difficult teams, of course. All we have to do is concentrate on the work ahead of us and do our best to progress. In such a short competition we know one thing for sure: the first match [against Turkey] will be crucial because it influences the remaining group games. We will basically focus on our first match and the rest will follow. For the third time we will face Turkey in a European Championship. We want this one to finish the same way it did seven years ago [a 2-0 Portugal win]. Experience always counts. The Czech Republic [including as Czechoslovakia] are participating in their seventh European Championship, Portugal their fifth, and Turkey and Switzerland their third. All the coaches are experienced. Let's see who will benefit from their experience here.

Group A match schedule Date Time (CET) Match Stadium City Sat 7 June 18.00 SUI v CZE St. Jakob-Park Basel Sat 7 June 20.45 POR v TUR Stade de Genève Geneva Wed 11 June 18.00 CZE v POR Stade de Genève Geneva Wed 11 June 20.45 SUI v TUR St. Jakob-Park Basel Sun 15 June 20.45 SUI v POR St. Jakob-Park Basel Sun 15 June 20.45 TUR v CZE Stade de Genève Geneva

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Hickersberger: It lies in our hands

Austria coach Josef Hickersberger is relishing the "honour" of pitting his wits against Croatia, Germany and Poland in UEFA EURO 2008™ Group B after the draw for the final tournament in Lucerne.

Outsider opportunity
The co-hosts face Croatia in Vienna on 8 June, and despite having lost all three previous meetings with those opponents while never having beaten Germany – whom they encounter in a Vienna friendly on 6 February – in a competitive game since the 1978 FIFA World Cup, Hickersberger hopes to make the most of his side's "outsider" status. Germany's Joachim Löw, whose team have lost only nine of 55 matches against their group rivals, is already cautioning against complacency, as Croatia's Slaven Bilić and Leo Beenhakker of Poland also share their thoughts with uefa.com.

Josef Hickersberger, Austria coach
The draw could have been more difficult, so I'm looking forward to a very interesting group. It's a great honour for us to play these teams. Germany are favourites while Croatia and Poland will fancy their chances of reaching the quarter-finals. We have improved but we have a bad record against Croatia. We are quite capable of getting a result against Poland although it will be difficult. Austria are simply the big outsiders but there are worse things than that. We have to make the best of it. It lies in our hands.

Slaven Bilić, Croatia coach
Every group is difficult and at the same time easy. It all depends on how you coach your team and how much you believe in your players. I obviously have great respect for our three opponents but I believe in my team and we're full of confidence. We'll be well prepared and ready to come here and play good football. With a little luck, this will give us a chance of beating any team in Europe. Croatia have always done well. There is continuity in our performances, we always do well because we have a good team with skilful players – we're just good!

Joachim Löw, Germany coach
I wouldn't call it a lucky draw but we have a good chance of reaching the next round. We have great respect for all our opponents and it's an even group. Austria will be backed by a whole nation and you can't underestimate that; we saw last year when we hosted the [FIFA] World Cup what driving forces can be generated by playing in front of your home crowd. Croatia eliminated England, and we experienced during the World Cup how difficult it is to beat Poland. Both sides dominated their qualifying groups and that shows how strong they are. We're looking forward to meeting all three.

Leo Beenhakker, Poland coach
I'm delighted as it's always special to play against the hosts. Germany are one of the best teams in the world, Croatia are an up-and-coming team who did fantastically well in qualification, so the challenge is there and we love challenges. I would include Poland among the favourites in this group, because if you don't go into it with confidence and ambition you shouldn't participate. Everybody has the right to have the same ambition. On paper, Germany are the best but we don't play on paper.

Group B match schedule Date Time (CET) Match Stadium City Sun 8 June 18.00 AUT v CRO Ernst-Happel-Stadion Vienna Sun 8 June 20.45 GER v POL Wörthersee Klagenfurt Thur 12 June 18.00 CRO v GER Wörthersee Klagenfurt Thur 12 June 20.45 AUT v POL Ernst-Happel-Stadion Vienna Mon 16 June 20.45 AUT v GER Ernst-Happel-Stadion Vienna Mon 16 June 20.45 POL v CRO Wörthersee Klagenfurt

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