CHAT FOOTBALL FORUM

Co-hosts Austria and dark horses Croatia begin their Euro 2008 Group B campaign at Ernst Happel on Sunday.



Austria secured their spot in this summer's finals by agreeing to stage the competition along with Switzerland and coach Josef Hickersberger will be keen to demonstrate that his side deserve their opportunity when they kick-off in Vienna.


However, there is an air of expectancy surrounding Croatia after Slaven Bilic's side topped qualifying Group E, accounting for England on their way and the 1996 quarter-finalists will be eyeing an improvement on their previous European Championship best.


This will be Austria's first outing at a European Championship and it will also bring to an end a decade's absence from the finals of a major international tournament following an appearance at the 1998 World Cup.



Conundrum


But as rank outsiders this summer, it is unlikely Austria will be addressing any other statistics and Hickersberger is likely to have his work cut out in plotting a route through a group which also contains three-time winners Germany and Poland.


Hickersberger's main conundrum in team selection will be with regards to picking his goalkeeper as he looks to break Croatia's 100 per cent record against Austria.



Former Arsenal No.1 Alex Manninger and ex-Chelsea shot-stopper Jurgen Macho are battling for the right to take their place between the sticks and it remains uncertain who will receive Hickersberger's nod.


Elsewhere, Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz has been struggling with a calf problem but is expected to play as Austria bid to shake-off their underdog tag.



Eduardo absence


Meanwhile, Croatia boss Bilic - who was part of the side which reached the final eight in England 12 years ago - remains optimistic about his side's chances, despite the absence of star striker Eduardo da Silva.


Eduardo was expected to pose Croatia's greatest goalscoring threat, but the broken leg the Arsenal forward sustained away to Birmingham in February prevents his participation.


Tottenham supporters will be keen to keep an eye on recent signing Luka Modric in midfield, while Portsmouth schemer Niko Kranjcar will hope to maintain his fine form from last season.


Croatia captain Niko Kovac is also skipper of Austrian club side Salzburg and he will be keen to put one over the country he calls his domestic home.

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Can't see Croatia losing this one to be honest, 3-0 to Croatia for me.

What do you all think for this one?

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Oh yeah and Aufhauser and Modric had better each get hattricks, they're in my fantasy team after all .

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Yeah I agree, Croatia will be too strong for Austria. I would be slightly worried though with the lack of power upfront, especially without Eduardo but they will still be too strong.

They have an awesome midfield and fantastic passing though, England fans saw that at Wembley when I thought they looked fantastic.

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