Austria raring to go for Finnish test

Coach Manfred Zsak said Austria could "hardly wait for kick-off" as they count down the minutes to tonight's first leg of their 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off against Finland.

Confidence high
Austria were first to qualify for the play-offs after dominating qualifying Group 7 and Finland's visit to the Waldstadion in Pasching cannot come soon enough. "The conditions in our training camp in Bad Tatzmannsdorf were perfect and we can hardly wait for kick-off," Zsak said. "The mood within the team is great and confidence is high."

Evenly matched
Austria have every reason to be confident as they look to extend an unbeaten run spanning 13 games. Zsak has no need to motivate a side who, like Finland, are bidding to reach the U21 final tournament for the first time. "Everyone knows what they have to do for us to reach our big goal – the European Championship," the 43-year-old said. "A win would be a good result, and a win without conceding would be ideal." Zsak, however, insists his team are not favourites. "It's 50-50," he said. "Both matches are wide open. It will depend on who wants it most."

'Surprise'
Many of Zsak's players have already experienced a major tournament having taken Austria to the semi-finals of the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. The coach of that side, Paul Gludovatz, is adamant there is more to come from them. "I'm absolutely convinced we will qualify," said Gludovatz, who now coaches SV Ried. "You could see in [the group] how strong this team are and they could also spring a surprise in Sweden."
 
Parikka fit
Finland coach Markku Kanerva is determined to prevent that happening and is boosted by the news that HJK Helsinki striker Jarno Parikka has shaken off an ankle knock and is fit to play. That was Finland's only injury concern, leaving just Friday's opposition to worry about. "Austria play a similar formation to us," said assistant coach Kari Martonen who has watched Austria's last two matches and is acquainted with their strengths and weaknesses. "They are well-organised and especially dangerous at dead-ball situations. We have to be pro-active. I think we will find space out wide. Austria's central defence looked a bit vulnerable and I'm confident we can create enough chances to get an away goal."

Free-kick threat
AIK Solna goalkeeper Tomi Maanoja added: "They have scored quite a lot of goals from set-pieces so we'll have to be very alert, especially from free-kicks." Finland are expected to stick with the side that saw them through to top spot in Group 6. Striker Berat Sadik is unavailable after being called up to Stuart Baxter's senior squad but otherwise Kanerva has his full complement to choose from.