Austria squad

Still best known for a four-year stint as reserve keeper at Premier League club Arsenal [Images], Manninger will be keen to show his best days are not behind him. After spells at Fiorentina, Espanyol, Torino, Bologna and Salzburg, he is now holding down the number one spot on loan from Salzburg at Siena.

Like Manninger, Macho has well-known clubs on his resume but has also struggled for regular starting places. Left Sunderland for Chelsea but never made a competitive appearance. Joined Bundesliga side Kaiserslautern but faced injuries and then relegation. Has bounced back at AEK Athens after regaining his place for the final eight matches of the season.

Former Under-21 keeper who was handed a late call-up to the Euro 2008 [Images] squad after Helge Payer was ruled out with a stomach injury. Helped Hoffenheim win promotion to the Bundesliga after joining the German second division club on loan from Salzburg in January. Has joint Turkish nationality and is nicknamed "Rambo."

Tactically strong player who can feature at right back or in midfield. Won the Austrian league with Rapid Vienna in 2005. After a successful step-up to Serie A with Napoli, has replaced Andreas Dober in the Austria set-up and should start. Hungarian-born with dual Hungarian and Austrian nationality.

Naturally left-footed left-back on loan from Salzburg to Austria Vienna but has been linked with several top clubs abroad. Physically strong and good in the air but acknowledges he must work more on his crossing. Albanian-born but with dual Albanian and Austrian nationality. Moved to Austria aged 11.

Experienced central defender likely to be called up to plug any gaps at the back. Had a brief spell at Leeds United but has otherwise played only in Austria, winning league titles with Salzburg, Austria Vienna and Rapid Vienna. Played for champions Rapid this season but loaned out to Kaernten during the winter break. Part of Austria's 1998 World Cup squad but did not play.

Left back who has made two impressive comebacks in the past season. After tearing a cruciate ligament in September, Katzer was back in the Rapid team by March only to undergo an appendectomy one month later. Engaged to the youngest daughter of ex-Austria great and former national team coach Hans Krankl.

Left-footed central defender who played in all but one match of Rapid Vienna's successful league campaign this season.

Emmanuel Pogatetz (Middlesbrough). Defender. Born 16.01.83. Caps 26. Goals 1.

Seemed to have blown his Euro 2008 chances after walking out on the team in Sept. 2006 and publicly criticising coach Josef Hickersberger. Strong performances for Middlesbrough and reconciliation talks with Hickersberger led to a recall in November. Affectionately dubbed "Mad Pog" by Boro fans.

Young but highly rated central defender who has signed to join Bundesliga side Werder Bremen after the finals. Captained the under-20s to the 2007 World Cup semi-finals in Canada [Images]. Made his senior international debut aged 19. Scored twice against the Netherlands in a 4-3 friendly defeat in March.

Martin Stranzl (Spartak Moscow [Images]). Defender. Born 16.6.80. Caps 44. Goals 2.

One of Austria's most experienced players at club and international level. Played 140 Bundesliga matches for former clubs 1860 Munich and Stuttgart. Will hope to be over the recent injury problems. Can also be a defensive midfielder.

Has won three Austrian league titles, two with Salzburg and one with GAK. The central midfielder is back after missing the early part of the year through injury.

Left-footed left midfielder who has also played at left back. Was close to completing a move to Bayer Leverkusen last year before the deal fell through.

Andreas Ivanschitz (Panathinaikos). Midfielder. Born 15.10.83. Caps 38. Goals 6.

Team captain whose playmaking skills could prove vital to Austria's chances. On loan from Salzburg and still unsure where he will be playing next season. His generally quiet manner has raised questions over his leadership abilities, particularly during the difficult period when Pogatetz and Paul Scharner walked out on the team. Left-footed attacking midfielder.

Winger who can play on either side of the pitch. Crept into Josef Hickersberger's provisional squad on the back of impressive performances for Rapid Vienna this season. Has joint Turkish nationality.

Playmaker who is comfortable in central midfield or out on the left. Shows great determination and great control on the ball. Was impressive at Sturm Graz and now a first-team regular at Salzburg despite the club's array of foreign talent.

Left-footed defensive midfielder who made the final Euro 2008 squad mainly because of a lack of decent rivals in his favoured role of defensive midfielder. Sturm's captain and a player who leads by example.

Joachim Standfest (Austria Vienna). Midfielder. Born 30.5.80. Caps 30. Goals 2.

Austrian league and cup double winner with GAK in 2004 and winner of four Austrian Cups in total. Fast and with good technique, he can play on the right wing or at right back.

The 38-year-old was the surprise in Josef Hickersberger's provisional squad after the coach previously said he wanted to develop young players. Croatian-born Vastic made his Austria debut shortly after receiving citizenship in 1996 and made the 1998 World Cup squad. Can also play up front and is second behind Hans Krankl in the Austrian league's all-time scorers.

A key figure in Rapid Vienna's league title success last season, with nine goals in the last 12 matches. Nicknamed "Jimmy" after former US labour leader Jimmy Hoffa, Hoffer scored three goals to help Austria to the semi-finals of last year's under-20 World Cup in Canada. Likely to be sent on from the bench.

Played all 90 minutes of Austria's 0-0 draw against Tunisia in November but has otherwise been restricted to substitute appearances. The late start to the Norwegian season has not helped his match fitness and a further blow came literally when he had to withdraw from the friendly against the Netherlands in March with a concussion.

Well-travelled striker who was in good form for Braga during the early and middle part of the season but struggled for goals during the club's disappointing final phase. Scored five goals in eight UEFA [Images] Cup outings. Dropped by Austria coach Josef Hickersberger in Sept. 2007 after some lacklustre game at a friendly tournament, Linz was recalled to the national side in February.

Pacy Hamburg-born player who can also play as a midfielder. Has enjoyed a meteoric rise since featuring in every match during Austria's unexpected run to last year's under-20 World Cup semi-finals. A joint German national, he joined Werder Bremen following the under-20 campaign and scored on his Bundesliga debut. Scored on his international debut against the Czech Republic last August with his second touch of the match.

© Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.