Normally 'it's sink or swim' is used in do-or-die situations. But then I thought of something else. For both Poland and co-hosts Austria, both have reasons to stay on in the tournament for very contrasting reasons.
For the co-hosts (who lost to Croatia in their opener), it's all about the expectations of an entire nation and coach Josef Hickersberger is feeling the pressure. In fact, he has told his side to throw caution into the wind. Especially in the wake of their neighbours Switzerland already out with a match to go, even all the more important to be still in the tournament (or else to be like Belgium in the 2000 edition of having the dubious honour of a host nation out in the group stages). And AFP has an interesting headline in previewing the match - Austrians look to poleaxe rivals.
For Poland (they lost to Germany), it's their first time out on the European level. And it's interesting to note that among the national teams Leo Beenhakker has coached (Trinidad & Tobago, he brought them onto the 2006 World Cup for the first time, his native Holland...to pick a few examples), there was only achievements at club coaching level for the veteran Dutchman. If he can transform it to the international stage, that will be an achievement.
On the team-news front, the news I gathered all out of the Poland camp. Midfielder Lukasz Piszczek is out after twisted his ankle during a training session. Another midfielder, this time it's Mariusz Lewandowski is a doubt. He picked up his ankle injury when playing against Germany. Poland's new captain will be Defender Jacek Bak in place of the injured Maciej Zurawski.
We had seen before that how home advantage can really spur the home team on (even if the national team may kind of sucked on the FIFA rankings). If one needs a recent example, look no further than what happened two years ago during the World Cup in Germany (and actually ahead of the tournament, there was no high hopes from the German public that their boys will be able to perform). The 2002 World Cup especially where co-hosts South Korea went all the way to the semi-finals. Though Switzerland may be out in this edition, the support from the home fans had showed since the opening match against the Czech Republic. At least from what I saw on the TV.
In short, I am talking about home advantage. Poland coach Leo Beenhakker has this to say - Many times in tournaments we’ve seen the host team playing at a much higher level based on the atmosphere around the team and among the people.
If the performance against Croatia especially in the second-half are anything to go by in Austria's opening match in Vienna against Croatia (the upcoming one against Poland is also at the Austrian capital), there's hope. I am not being delusional, even if I am speaking as a neutral football fan looking ahead of this match in Vienna.
