Austria’s displays at Euro 2008 definitely proved the team can play with commitment and passion for the cause, but unfortunately it also brought to light their total lack of finishing prowess in front of goal over the course of their three games. The few chances that did come along were not taken – much to the consternation of team coach Josef Hickersberger.

Despite the much heralded public concern before the tournament started, the Austrians did not disgrace themselves and didn’t lose a single match by more than a goals difference. In fact, in the games against Croatia and Poland they were on top for long spells but without really threatening. For all the good play they did muster though, they only managed to find the back of the net once - the penalty against the Pole’s.

Hickersberger always knew he had to set up his squad defensively if they were to have any chance at all of progressing, and in this respect it paid off as they only conceded one goal, but there was a general train of thought in Austria that the squad was perhaps one attacker too short for the competition. Nevertheless, the players who were selected to play the games created chances to score, especially in the match against Poland, but they just couldn’t take them.

One thing Austrian fans can be proud of, despite not making the frame for the quarter-finals, is the fact that over the last two years, in the build-up to the Euro 2008 finals, they have taken a huge leap forward and the experience of playing in these finals will only assist them for their upcoming commitments in World Cup 2010 qualifying.

Whether Hickersberger stay’s in charge of the team for the world cup qualifying is another matter though as he had been hinting about taking a break after Euro 2008, but he may very well have had a change of heart though because at the final press conference he gave at the finals he said that he wants to make known (to the powers that be?) that he would like stay on as coach. Intriguing stuff but maybe he has seen something in this tournament that has made him have a change of heart?

The home supporters, despite the furore of the pre-tournament demand for the team to pull out, got right behind their team during the actual competition with over an estimated 600,000 people attending the various Fan Zones set up around the country for the game against Germany. The support they offered was fantastic and did not abate until after the final whistle of the game, at which time the players were given a rousing send-off in recognition of their efforts.