Austria: Worst Euro Hosts Ever?

I’ve been hearing a lot of criticism of Austria’s national football team. As co-hosts of the Euro 2008 tournament along with Switzerland, Austria’s team didn’t have to go through the gruelling qualification process that the other 14 teams did, and most people feel that the Austrians are the weakest team in the tournament by a long way. But after seeing them play Croatia on the weekend, I’d have to say they played some very gutsy football. In particular, a young Turkish-Austrian lad named Ümit Korkmaz was simply a joy to watch, and his enthusiasm and dogged play just may lead to a sneaky goal or two before Austria likely make their early exit. Instead of berating them for not being, say, Germany, shouldn’t we be cheering on a team who are clearly getting the chance of a lifetime to play against some of Europe’s (and the world’s) finest?