Fitzel confident of good showing in pre-Euro 2008 party

A psychological fillip in the shape of an emphatic victory is what Austria will be after in this evening's friendly against Malta (kick-off 8.30 p.m.) but our national team will be giving their all to thwart the plans of the Euro 2008 co-hosts.

With the start of the European Championship finals only a few days away, Austria's date with Malta is their last warm-up before they kick off their Group B commitments against Croatia.

As far as Malta are concerned, this friendly is an opportunity to sample the growing excitement for Euro 2008 but Dusan Fitzel's men will doubtless be keen to avoid playing a 'lambs-to-the-slaughter' role at Graz's UPC-Arena Stadium.

A lively performance in a commendable 1-1 draw against Austria in another friendly last year ought to raise Malta's confidence as will memories of a gallant display in a 1-0 defeat to Japan in Germany on the eve of the 2006 World Cup.

If Fitzel prefers to recall a painful experience to motivate his players, he can do no worse than to remind his charges of the 7-0 humiliation Malta suffered at the hands of Germany a few days before Euro 2004.

Fitzel is concerned about the level of physical and mental sharpness of his players after a long season but is confident of coaxing a spirited performance out of his squad.

"I always have high expectations before a match," Fitzel told The Times.

"The circumstances are not ideal for our team because the season is almost finished and the players are tired but we've been working hard in the past few days to lift our confidence.

"This is an international game against one of the finalists of Euro 2008. The situation was exactly the same two years ago when Malta played Japan in Duesseldorf. At the time, I didn't really expect a good performance but the boys surprised me with the way they played. I hope the Euro 2008 atmosphere will increase our desire to produce a good showing against Austria."

Reminded of Malta's rout to Germany in Freiburg in the build-up to Euro 2004, Fitzel sounded confident that there will be no repeat of that scenario in Graz tonight.

"I hope it (7-0 defeat) doesn't happen again," Fitzel remarked.

"Malta's worst result since I took over was a 5-0 defeat away to Greece. Maybe in our last few matches, we haven't faced top-class opposition but we didn't concede too many goals. That indicates that we're doing something right and I hope we'll continue in this direction."

Fitzel, who will choose his starting team from an 18-man pool, has conducted two training sessions since the squad arrived in Graz on Wednesday.

The inclusion of Ħamrun Spartans midfielder Ryan Fenech and Jonathan Caruana, the Hibs defender, suggests that Fitzel is already thinking about the future with the World Cup 2010 qualifiers top of his agenda. Malta have been drawn in Group One along with Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary and Albania.

Quizzed about his decision to call Fenech and Caruana at the expense of more experienced players like Kevin Sammut, Steve Wellman, Andrew Cohen and Terrence Scerri, Fitzel replied: "Being in the senior squad is a new challenge for young players like Ryan and Jonathan. It's also a message for the others not to take their place for granted.

"I'm looking to increase cover for certain positions and Caruana can give us various options as he can play at centre-half, full-back and also as a holding midfielder.

"I've told the players that they have to strive to be more versatile. As for my selection, I've introduced some younger players because I think the time is right to start lowering the average age in the squad."

Meanwhile, having named his final 23-man squad earlier this week, Austria coach Josef Hickersberger will want his team to put the seal on their preparations for Euro 2008 with an uplifting result and a clean bill of health.

On Tuesday, Austria, who are co-hosting the June 7-29 tournament with neighbours Switzerland, were held to a 1-1 draw by Nigeria in another friendly played in Graz.

Roman Kienast put Austria ahead after 12 minutes but Nigeria equalised seven minutes later through Kalu Uche. Hickersberger used 14 players, including 38-year-old forward Ivica Vastic, a surprise addition in his squad.

"We want to use this game against Malta to win more self confidence, and to lift our mood even further ahead of the tournament," Hickersberger told reporters yesterday.

"As with every game our aim is to win. That is what is expected of an Austrian team against Malta, although the team must be taken seriously as an opponent."

Hickersberger, yet to decide his first-choice keeper, said he would field Alex Manninger in goal against Malta after testing Juergen Macho in the Nigeria game.

He will also include midfielder Umit Korkmaz and forward Erwin Hoffer, substitutes in that match, in his starting line-up.

Malta's formation: (probable) A. Hogg, R. Briffa, L. Dimech/B. Said, J. Caruana, I. Azzopardi, J. Pace, G. Agius, U. Nwoko, A. Schembri, M. Mifsud, E. Barbara.

Referee: Robert Krajnc (Slovenia).