EURO 2008 INFO

VIENNA (Reuters) - Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria will take heart from a fearless performance to kick off their big year despite going down to a 3-0 home defeat to Germany on Wednesday.

Austria thrilled the home fans in a 48,500 crowd at the Ernst Happel Stadium as they threw everything they had at their neighbours for the first hour of the friendly.

Martin Harnik headed against the bar and Roland Linz had a shot desperately cleared by Per Mertesacker in the best of a series of chances for Josef Hickersberger's side.

The fact that Germany picked them off in the second half with goals from Thomas Hitzlsperger, Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez left Hickersberger and the fans disappointed.

Yet they know they gave Germany plenty to think about ahead of their forthcoming meeting at Euro 2008, in their final match in Group B on June 16 in Vienna.

"Of course we were disappointed because our good performance wasn't rewarded but it was a perfect foretaste for Euro 2008," Hickersberger said at a news conference.

"The fans gave us great support for the full 90 minutes and that's important for the players," added Hickersberger, who drew harsh criticism for the media last year after the team went nine matches without a win.

"We need the whole country behind us during the tournament."