Austria find the missing 'Lynx'
Ivica Vastic's return has significantly raised the average age of the Austria squad, but Josef Hickersberger has no regrets about recalling the 38-year-old 'Lynx'.
Notable exception
Hickersberger had been eager to give young players a chance in the run-up to UEFA EURO 2008™, but midfielder Vastic's superb form for LASK Linz this season forced him to make an exception to his rule. And after impressing on his side's current training camp in Sardinia, Vastic can be optimistic about his prospects of enjoying one more international tournament before retiring.
Vision tests
The 2007 Austrian Bundesliga Player of the Year has been capped 46 times for Austria, scoring 12 times, but had been out of the picture since appearing in a 2-2 draw against Scotland in Graz on 17 August 2005. However, he has lost none of his sharpness – and came out on top in tests to find which Austrian player had the best vision, prompting Hickersberger to nickname him 'Lynx'.
Welcome addition
"He has been an absolute credit to the team," said Hickersberger as he reflected on Vastic's contribution in training. Born in Split, now in Croatia, Vastic has been a favourite in Austria since scoring an equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Chile in the 1998 FIFA World Cup - a goal which saw a well-intentioned local paper lead with the headline: "Ivo, you are an Austrian now!"
Pouncing days
Whether he gets to make headlines at UEFA EURO 2008 may depend upon the form and fitness of Austria's captain. Hickersberger says Vastic's main role is to cover for Andreas Ivanschitz. Vastic has agreed another year's contract in Linz, but one way or another, will retire from European football this summer. In the meantime, the wily old lynx's pouncing days are not yet over.
Ivica Vastic's return has significantly raised the average age of the Austria squad, but Josef Hickersberger has no regrets about recalling the 38-year-old 'Lynx'.
Notable exception
Hickersberger had been eager to give young players a chance in the run-up to UEFA EURO 2008™, but midfielder Vastic's superb form for LASK Linz this season forced him to make an exception to his rule. And after impressing on his side's current training camp in Sardinia, Vastic can be optimistic about his prospects of enjoying one more international tournament before retiring.
Vision tests
The 2007 Austrian Bundesliga Player of the Year has been capped 46 times for Austria, scoring 12 times, but had been out of the picture since appearing in a 2-2 draw against Scotland in Graz on 17 August 2005. However, he has lost none of his sharpness – and came out on top in tests to find which Austrian player had the best vision, prompting Hickersberger to nickname him 'Lynx'.
Welcome addition
"He has been an absolute credit to the team," said Hickersberger as he reflected on Vastic's contribution in training. Born in Split, now in Croatia, Vastic has been a favourite in Austria since scoring an equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Chile in the 1998 FIFA World Cup - a goal which saw a well-intentioned local paper lead with the headline: "Ivo, you are an Austrian now!"
Pouncing days
Whether he gets to make headlines at UEFA EURO 2008 may depend upon the form and fitness of Austria's captain. Hickersberger says Vastic's main role is to cover for Andreas Ivanschitz. Vastic has agreed another year's contract in Linz, but one way or another, will retire from European football this summer. In the meantime, the wily old lynx's pouncing days are not yet over.
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