Hoffer hits the big time with Austria
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Article summary
Prolific striker Erwin Hoffer has a chance to shine at senior level after being named as one of four new faces in the Austria squad to face Scotland and Paraguay.
Article body
Austria coach Josef Hickersberger has selected four new faces for the friendlies against Scotland and Paraguay in Vienna on 30 May and 2 June respectively.
Prolific record
The UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts, who do not have to qualify for the final round, have given a senior chance to 20-year-old SK Rapid Wien forward Erwin Hoffer after a prolific record at junior level. In 30 matches, Hoffer scored 18 goals - attracting the attention of major clubs across Europe. He is accompanied by the 20-year old midfielder Emin Sulimani, 19-year old defender Sebstian Prödl and 30-year old defender Jürgen Patochka.
Austria squad
Goalkeepers: Jürgen Macho (1. FC Kaiserslautern), Alexander Manninger (AC Siena), Helge Payer (SK Rapid Wien).
Defenders: Christian Fuchs (SV Mattersburg), Martin Hiden (SK Rapid Wien), Andreas Ibertsberger (SC Freiburg), Markus Katzer (SK Rapid Wien), Jürgen Patocka (SV Mattersburg), Sebastian Prödl (SK Sturm Graz), Joachim Standfest (FK Austria Wien), Martin Stranzl (FC Spartak Moskva).
Midfielders: Cem Atan (SV Mattersburg), René Aufhauser (FC Salzburg), Andreas Ivanschitz (Panathinaikos FC), Christoph Leitgeb (SK Sturm Graz), Thomas Prager (SC Heerenveen), Yüksel Sariyar (FCS Pasching), Jürgen Säumel (SK Sturm Graz), Emin Sulimani (SV Ried), Markus Weissenberger (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Forwards: Mario Haas (SK Sturm Graz), Erwin Hoffer (SK Rapid Wien), Sanel Kuljic (no club), Roland Linz (Boavista FC).
