Stadler voices U19 hosts' hopes

Austria coach Herman Stadler is looking forward to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship as the hosts prepare to find out their group stage opposition tomorrow for the tournament from 16-27 July in Linz, Pasching, Ried and Styer.

Friendly defeats
Holders Spain, Germany, Russia, France, Spain, Serbia and Portugal will be in the pot along with Stadler's side tomorrow with the draw being conducted by Jim Boyce, the chairman of UEFA's Youth and Amateur Football Committee, former Austrian international Andreas Herzog and Timea Feher, Miss Oberösterreich 2006. As hosts, Austria have not had to qualify but have been busy preparing with friendlies in 2007. In February's La Manga tournament they lost to Scotland, Norway and Slovakia, before holding Croatia 1-1 on 14 April. On 1 May they went down 2-0 in Scotland.

'Aims are high'
Despite those reverses, Stadler - who has worked with these players since they were U16s in 2003 - is upbeat. "Of course this is a highlight for all of us," he said. "Our aims are high although Austria have always been outsiders. I think we have been beaten [in friendly games] without showing our best but with the crowd behind us I am sure we will improve. Our goal is to reach the semi-finals. That would be superb. We will give our all to achieve this even though it is going to be difficult. The favourites are Germany, France, Spain and Russia - these teams are a different class."