EURO 2008 INFO

The start of UEFA EURO 2008™ is now just six months away and the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) is upping preparation for the event with a number of projects launched.

Collaboration with UEFA
In an effort to get Austrians in the mood for the UEFA EURO 2008™ and spread football fever to the whole country, the ÖFB has introduced a number of ideas in collaboration with UEFA. Events in support of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) campaign have received financial assistance while UEFA's HatTrick programme has organised 50 courses to train 1,000 stewards to guarantee the best possible security at the championship.

Walk of Fame
Numerous other events are scheduled to promote the finals. A Walk of Fame is planned with 70 pillars to be mounted in front of Ernst-Happel-Stadion. Among those receiving a place of honour are Austria legends Herbert Prohaska (Austria's footballer of the century), Andreas Herzog (the most capped player in the country's history), Toni Polster (Austria record scorer), Hans Krankl (scorer of the goal of the century) and Ernst Happel (coach of the century) as well as the 16 associations who have qualified for UEFA EURO 2008™ and all the trophies from UEFA's club competitions.

Numerous Events
Among other planned actions, the ÖFB's Initiative Charity 08 is working to collect €100,000 for charitable purposes by the start of the tournament. In addition, there will be an ÖFB EURO song sung by Christina Stürmer, and the January arrival of a countdown clock at the ÖFB offices signifies the increased focus on the event. The ÖFB's comprehensive list of activities also features a programme of attractive warm-up matches for the Austrian national team. The 2008 calendar starts off with a showdown with neighbours Germany, a dress rehearsal for the Group B meeting between the sides. Then there are tough matches against the Netherlands and Nigeria before Malta await. By then, the atmosphere should be at fever pitch.