Austria Related Content
With seven out of seven wins in Group A, Germany needs just one more win to qualify for Euro 2012.

Philipp Lahm has been at the heart of a national controversy in Germany following the publication of his autobiography. Lahm criticized his former coaches Rudi Voeller, Juergen Klinsmann and Louis Van Gaal in the book.
When Felix Magath pointed out that the Germany captain might have done so for the money, Lahm pointed out that the profits will go to his foundation for underprivileged children.
Joachim Loew spoke to his captain about the issue but clearly stated that Lahm will stay captain of the national side. Lahm is just one of the talented stars in Loew’s team. Loew rarely has a selection headache; however, his bench will be less talent-laden than usual due to a series of injuries.
Tomorrow's game presents a chance for Germany to further consolidate a spot in next year's Euro 2012 and Lahm believes that the match will be explosive

Germany have won all five of their qualifying matches so far and tomorrow's clash against Austria is likely to not cause too many problems for Joachim Loew's side. Nevertheless, Lahm is rather conservative ahead of the match, preferring to label it as an explosive one.
''Games against Austria are always explosive as there is a special rivalry. There are many Austrians who play with us in the Bundesliga and have great quality.
''We look forward to this important game. With a win, we can take a big step (towards qualification).''
Group A leaders Germany will be coming up against Austria in their sixth challenge of the Euro 2012 Qualifiers; however, Coach Joachim Loew might not be able to field in the best of sides.

Toni Kroos is presently aiming for a place in the line-up ahead of the encounter in which he is set to partner with Sami Khedira in the midfield. The Real Madrid player was put out of action in April after he tore a thigh muscle, but Khedira recently insisted that he was fit enough to perform for his country on Friday.
Assistant manager Hansi Flick expressed confidence over the talisman’s presence, stating that his health had improved fast enough for him to make his return. With Simon Rolfes available to replace Khedira in case of any late obstacle, Loew can thus look at other areas of his squad, which has lost some of its power through the absence of star striker Miroslav Klose and defender Per Mertesacker.
Having narrowly missed out on success in the Euro 2008 as well as the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Holger Badstuber believes that 2012 will be Germany's chance to finally triumph.

Despite only being 22 years old, Holger Badstuber has established himself in Germany's first team. Well perhaps that is the image of the current youth and exciting set-up under Joachim Leow.
The Germans have won all their Euro 2012 qualifying matches so far and with back to back qualifiers coming up against Azerbajian and Austria this week, Badstuber is confident that Germany are well-placed for a triumph next year.
According to uefa.com, Badstuber said: It's great that we have won all of our matches so far, got good results and given good performances, and that is how it should continue.
Austria are not favourites ahead of Tuesday’s Euro 2012 qualifying match against Turkey. The Austrians have injuries to worry about.

The battle in Group A’s middle section is tight with Austria sandwiched between second-placed Belgium who have 7 points and fourth-placed Turkey who have 6 points. Last weekend, the Euro 2008 co-hosts lost 3 crucial points in a home defeat to Belgium.
They now need to bounce back against Turkey, but their mission to do so has become even more difficult. Midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic, defender Franz Schiemer and striker Marc Janko have all been sidelined only to add put Austria’s Euro 2012 qualifying hopes in further doubts.
Austria’s best player of the year Junuzovic has an ankle injury to treat and will subsequently have to watch his team take on Turkey on a TV screen. On Monday, the midfielder told UEFA.com:
The Netherlands are looking to extend their non-losing streak against Austria in Eindhoven on Wednesday. They’ll have to do without Robin van Persie, Rafael van der Vaart and Nigel de Jong.

Since losing the 2010 World Cup final against Spain, Holland are undefeated in six matches, winning their last five. Austria are unbeaten winning two and drawing one match in their Euro 2012 qualification campaign, which got them into the second spot Germany, with 12 points from four matches.`
The Netherlands and Austria have quite a history together. In their last encounter in March 2008 in Vienna, the Dutch won 4-3 after having been down 3-0. It marked the only match in history that the Netherlands came back from three goals down to win an international match and Austria for their part never lost an international match having led by three goals. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored twice during that match. The striker, who played at Ajax at the time, will be seeking confidence with the Orange squad on Wednesday.
The Oranje are facing more and more problems ahead of the Netherlands vs Austria friendly match, as Valencia’s Hedwiges Maduro has withdrawn from the Holland squad by reason of flu.

The defender’s cancellation arrived late at the Dutch camp, but fortunately, Coach Bert van Marwijk has found a replacement. Feyenoord defender Ron Vlaar is said to fill in the gap, and there are chances that he could enjoy some playing time against Austria in Eindhoven.
Maduro’s absence comes next to withdrawals from Robin Van Persie, Rafael van der Vaart, and Nigel de Jong. The Arsenal striker is also reported to have caught with flu, while the Tottenham and Manchester City players have sustained injuries. Meanwhile, Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is fighting to find back his form and shine for the Netherlands in their upcoming friendly.
There will be major absences in the Germany vs Italy and Netherlands vs Austria international friendly matches, as Mario Gomez and Van Persie are both set to miss their countries’ challenges.

Arsenal’s Van Persie pulled out of the Holland squad ahead of their game on Wednesday, after he caught with flu. Luckily for the Netherlands’ coach Bert van Marwijk, he has found a replacement for his striker which comes in the name of FC Twente’s Luuk de Jong.
Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart and Manchester City player Nigel de Jong also pulled out at the weekend, following recently-sustained injuries. This toughens the situation for the World Cup finalists, who are nevertheless forced to find quick solutions for their own benefits.
On their side, Germany also appear to have their problems prior to their friendly against Italy in Dortmund. Playmaker and Bundesliga top scorer Mario Gomez has been declared unfit to face the 2006 world champions following a knee injury; but this is not good news for Manager Joachim Loew, who is already close to missing midfielder Sami Khedira to a leg injury.
Georgios Samaras had a goal and an assist as Greece defeated Austria 2-1 in Vienna on Wednesday evening in an absorbing international friendly.

Both teams combined to produce a decent match that featured plenty of chances especially in a wide-open second half. Austria were the better side for most of the game putting the Greek backline under some good pressure throughout. Greece meanwhile did better finishing off the few chances they had and the victory keeps Fernando Santos undefeated in his tenure as Greek boss.
Austria and Greece lock horns at the Ernst Happel Stadion on Wednesday as two in-form teams meet.

Austria are in the midst of a three-match unbeaten run, while Greece have not lost under new coach Fernando Santos in five matches, ever since the Portuguese manager succeeded Otto Rehhagel after the 2010 World Cup.
While this is only an international friendly and not a competitive fixture, for the teams’ managers Dietmar Constantini and Santos this match represents the final time this calendar year they can gather their sides together.
Both countries have made bright starts to their EURO 2012 qualifying campaigns. In Group 1, Austria have command of 2nd place at the moment with 7 points from 3 matches, a point ahead of Turkey and with a match in hand. Germany have seized control of the group right from the start with a maximum 12 points from their first 4 matches.
Kazakhstan visit Austria as the Euro 2012 qualifying phase continues in Group A.
Austria are yet to play in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. The 2008 European Championship co-hosts will open their campaign on Tuesday when they’ll host Kazakhstan at the Red Bull Arena in Wals-Siezenheim. Although the match might not see one of the two teams categorically dominating, Austria are still poised to come out of this encounter with all three points.
Kazakhstan actually suffered a 3-0 defeat to Turkey in their backyard last Friday. First half goals from Turan and Altintop put the hosts under pressure, and there was no comeback as Nihat Kahveci rounded up Turkey’s victory with goal number three as a quarter of an hour was left to be played.
Austria Wien host Madeiran side Nacional in the UEFA Europa League Match day 2, October 1, 2009
Group L Match Day 2 brings us Austria Wien hosting Nacional with both teams sitting at the bottom of their group. Both teams lost their respective match 1 fixtures with Nacional losing at home to Werder Bremen 2-3 and Austria Wien losing away in Spain to Atletico Bilbao. This is the first time both these teams have faced eachother. Nacional will enjoy a phsycological advantage knowing that Austria Wien have not beaten a Portuguese team in their last 6 matches but have won their last 5 home...