By Mitch Phillips
VIENNA, June 16 (Reuters) - Austria seek an unlikely victory
over neighbours Germany on Monday when the world’s 92nd-ranked
team bid to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.
Germany need only a draw in Vienna to reach the last eight
as runners-up to Group B winners Croatia, who face a Poland side
in Klagenfurt that are clear outsiders.
Croatia have six points, Germany are on three, with Austria
and Poland on one point apiece. The latter two need to win and
hope results in the other game go their way in order to qualify.
The reward for getting through is a tough-looking
quarter-final against Group A winners Portugal in Basel on
Thursday.
Everything says Germany should prevail but their uninspired
showing in defeat by Croatia, along with Austria’s encouraging
display in their 1-1 draw with Poland, has galvanised the
co-hosts.
Austria have also revived memories of the 1978 World Cup
when they pulled off a shock 3-2 win over West Germany in
Argentina.
The bad news for Austria, however, is even if they pull off
another upset it still might not be enough.
Kicking off at the same time in Klagenfurt, Poland can
snatch second spot if they get a big enough win over Croatia as
long as Austria beat Germany by fewer goals.
Sunday produced an extraordinary finale in Geneva where
Turkey came back from 2-0 down to beat Czech Republic 3-2 and
earn a quarter-final meeting with Croatia.
Switzerland, already out, overcame Portugal 2-0 to give
retiring coach Koebi Kuhn a winning send-off from a
disappointing tournament for the co-hosts.
(Editing by Trevor Huggins)