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The other team to co-host this illustrious event is probably the most unknown of all the soccer nations competing in Euro 2008. Austria has never qualified for the European Championships, however they gained automatic entry by playing host with Switzerland this summer.

The Austria national team currently ranks 102 in the FIFA World Rankings. They are by far the biggest underdog as the tournament approaches, but the minnow of this tournament playing to its own crowd might just have a bigger effect than most expect.

The focus of this team's potential Euro 2008 success will fall on its four-man backline. The defense has shown progress in its friendly matches. Featuring the young Sebastian Prödl and veterans Martin Stranzl and Emanuel Pogatetz, Austria will need to keep higher profile teams at bay if they will want stay in matches during group play with any chance to move forward.

Golden Player Watch - Sanal Kuljic, F

While Austria's defensive tactics will have to be near perfect to taste European success, you have to score to advance into the elimination round. Striker Sanal Kuljic is one of the team's attacking forwards that will have opportunities to do so. Currently playing for home side FK Austria Wein, he has scored seven times this domestic season. Kuljic is one of Austria's more experienced players with 20 caps, having found the back of the net three times for country.

There is also a strong indication fellow striker Roland Linz will be called up and added to the Euro 2008 roster. Linz has been a consistent threat for SC Braga in the Portuguese Liga. If he can regain his top fitness level, he'll likely have a spot waiting for him before June's tournament gets underway.

Reason Why They Will Advance to Elimination Round

Don't call me a downer, but it's fairly certain Austria will take its three group play matches and bow out gracefully behind its home fans. This would be the most unlikely nation to advance if they indeed shock Croatia, Poland or Germany in Group B.

But hey, all the Austrian team needs to do is channel Greece from four years prior. The 2004 European champions were just as an unlikely winner, so seeing that result happened last time this event was played, anything is possible.

Group Play Schedule

Austria vs. Croatia - June 8

Austria vs. Poland - June 12

Austria vs. Germany - June 16