EURO no lost cause for Prohaska

EURO no lost cause for Prohaska




Austrian football great Herbert Prohaska told uefa.com that the co-hosts have an opportunity to shine at UEFA EURO 2008™ provided they "embrace the outsider's role" in Group B.

Tough section
With Austria having been drawn alongside Germany, Croatia and Poland in their section, few locals give Josef Hickersberger's side much chance of reaching the knockout rounds. However, Austria's 52-year-old Player of the Century, Prohaska – who appeared at the 1978 and 1982 FIFA World Cup finals and dazzled for FK Austria Wien, FC Internazionale Milano and AS Roma – has not given up hope.

'Why be scared?'
"If Austria embrace the outsider's role, find the right frame of mind and use their home advantage, then they have a chance," the former midfielder told uefa.com. "In theory, we have the worst chance in our group, but why should we be scared? The decisive match will be the first one against Croatia. If Austria can win that, then there will be great euphoria.

First game
"If Austria lose this game though, then the pressure will be high because you cannot afford to lose again," he added. "But I am convinced Austria will not sink – even if the pressure is enormous. And in my opinion, the only teams who could make of fool of themselves are the big nations like Italy, Germany or France – not little Austria."

Outsider status
In order to embarrass the big boys, Prohaska said Austria have to work tirelessly in defence and take advantage of any counterattacks – arguing that the very fact they are underdogs may unsettle opponents. "Austria's group rivals will be saying that they have to beat Austria to reach the quarter-finals, and this will definitely help Austria," he said.

Surprises guaranteed
Looking back on his own finals experiences with Austria, Prohaska added: "Every player wants to win every game. And then there is the extra motivation of the entire football world watching." In such a cauldron, hitherto unheralded talents can turn into heroes. "Who would have guessed at the 1990 World Cup that Salvatore Schillaci would be top scorer?"

Immense task
The dream for Austria is that Andreas Ivanschitz, Martin Stranzl, Sebastian Prödl, Erwin Hoffer and Stefan Maierhofer will be among the shock stars of the summer, although Prohaska knows they need to fire on all cylinders from the off. "For Austria to make the quarter-finals, they will require not just one great performance but two or even three, and that is very difficult," he said.