X-Nico

8 unusual facts about Austria national football team


Arthur W. Barton

He was a top-class football referee: he refereed the Semi-final between Austria and Poland in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, and was linesman in the 1936 FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Sheffield United.

De Baandert

The stadium hosted one international match of the Dutch national football team: a friendly played on May 27, 1992 against Austria (3-2).

Football in Berlin

All games after the quarter-finals were held at the Olympic Stadium, and Italy beat Austria 2-1 in the final on 15 August.

Jimmy Hampson

His last appearance for his country came in December 1932 against Austria when he again scored twice.

Kieran Richardson

He then made two further substitute appearances during England's World Cup qualification against Wales in Cardiff and Austria at Old Trafford.

Media Markt

Prior to the 2006 World Cup, Media Markt launched a campaign, claiming to be the "best fan supplier" ("Bester Fanausrüster"), with commercials showing international football fans shopping at Media Markt, showing exaggerated stereotypes of the participating countries, and making fun of the Austria team, which did not qualify.

Nílton Santos

Nílton was a key player in defence during the 1954, 1958 and 1962 World Cup finals (he was also in the Brazilian squad for the 1950 finals, but made no appearances) and became famous for scoring a magnificent goal in the 1958 tournament when Brazil played Austria.

Páll Guðlaugsson

He was the coach of the Faroe Islands in his 1–0 victory against Austria, in his first official match.


Bruno Pezzey

He made his debut for Austria in June 1975 against Czechoslovakia and was a participant at the 1978 FIFA World Cup and 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Daniel Ruiz

Dani represented his country in both the 1978 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1980, respectively scoring against Austria and England (1–2 defeats and group stage exit in both cases).

Edgar Chadwick

During the 1912 Summer Olympics held in Stockholm (where eleven teams participated in the football tournament, against only six in 1908) the Dutch defeated Sweden and Austria, but lost in the semi-final 4–1 to Denmark.

Erich Obermayer

He made his debut for Austria in an April 1975 European Championship qualification match against Hungary and was a participant at the 1978 FIFA World Cup, where he scored a goal in a match against the Netherlands, and 1982 FIFA World Cup where he skippered the team.

Erwin Fuchsbichler

Erwin Fuchsbichler (born 27 March 1952) is an Austrian football goalkeeper who played for Austria in the 1978 FIFA World Cup.

Felix Gasselich

Felix Gasselich (born 21 December 1955 in Vienna) is a retired Austrian association football player who played for Austria Wien, Ajax, LASK Linz, Wiener SC, Grazer AK, Kremser SC and SR Donaufeld Wien, as well as for the Austrian national side.

Günther Happich

Günther Happich (28 January 1952 – 16 October 1995) was an Austrian football midfielder who played for Austria in the 1978 FIFA World Cup.

Heinrich Strasser

Heinrich Strasser (born 26 October 1948) is an Austrian football defender who played for Austria in the 1978 FIFA World Cup.

Hubert Baumgartner

He earned one cap for the Austrian national team in 1978, and was a squad member at the 1978 FIFA World Cup.

Paul Fischl

He played for DFC Prag in the inaugural German football championship in 1903, and also represented the Austrian national team on three occasions.

Robert Sara

He made his debut for Austria in a 3-2 win over England at Wembley in October 1965 and played in the 1978 FIFA World Cup finals.

Roland Hattenberger

He made his debut for Austria in a June 1972 World Cup qualification match against Sweden and was a participant at the 1978 and 1982 World Cups.

Sammy Adjei

On 24 March 2007, Adjei manned the post for Ghana against Austria in a FIFA International friendly in Graz.

Sebastian Prödl

On 12 June 2008 during the Euro 2008 Austria vs. Poland game he was fouled in the 92nd minute in the penalty area and the referee, Howard Webb, awarded Austria a penalty kick.


see also