The mark might be damaged in Germany by two greats of world soccer: Cristiano Ronaldo shall be 39 years and 134 days outdated when he begins towards Portugal, whereas Luka Modric shall be 38 years and 280 days outdated when he begins towards Croatia.
Vastic is calm concerning the impending lack of his document. “The document is an honour for me, but when gamers like Ronaldo or Modric surpass me, that’s simply as a lot an honour and wouldn’t make me unhappy. The entire thing is just ever a problem at a European Championship anyway,” Vastic advised APA.
The previous expert technician surprisingly made it into the ÖFB European Championship squad in 2008 as a LASK participant. He was substituted within the sixty fourth minute towards Poland, and his massive second got here in damage time following a foul on Sebastian Prödl. Vastic confirmed no nerves within the sold-out Happel Stadium and scored confidently. He did not really feel nervous, mentioned the now 54-year-old. “I used to be an skilled shooter, had sufficient follow and wasn’t nervous. I simply considered how I used to be going to shoot the ball in.”
Solely Austrian with a European Championship and World Cup purpose
Due to this purpose, Vastic remains to be the one Austrian to have scored a purpose at each a European Championship and a World Cup. In 1998, he additionally scored the ultimate purpose within the 1:1 draw towards Chile. By successful a degree towards Poland, the ÖFB staff maintained its probabilities of reaching the quarter-finals regardless of the earlier 0:1 defeat towards Croatia, earlier than a 0:1 defeat towards Germany – with Vastic on the bench – meant their elimination.
Nonetheless, the previous Sturm Graz and Austria skilled nonetheless appears once more fondly on the house match. “The reminiscence is constructive for me, not solely due to this purpose, but additionally due to the nice euphoria that prevailed on the time. I’d have preferred to play towards Germany, however I used to be grateful that I used to be even a part of the European Championship.”
“We have now matured as a staff”
In 2008, the ÖFB staff went into the finals as a transparent underdog. This time, expectations are increased, although they’re up towards top-class group opponents and must lament outstanding absences. “We have now a really tough group, however I’m nonetheless assured. The staff is able to making it to the knockout section. The gamers have just lately proven nice performances and have matured as a staff,” Vastic emphasised.
Austria’s four-time Footballer of the 12 months is presently working as “Head of Participant Growth” on the SEH Sports activities & Leisure Holding golf equipment, which embrace Bundesliga membership Austria Klagenfurt, German regional league membership Viktoria Berlin and Croatian first division newcomers HNK Sibenik. Vastic made 50 worldwide appearances for the nationwide staff and scored 14 targets; his final look within the ÖFB jersey was the European Championship match towards Poland.
