ESPANYOL v FK AUSTRIA TICKETS: Wednesday, December 13, 2006. Estadi Olimpic: Waltzing about

To all intense and purposes, Espanyoi have ensured themselves of a place in the next round of the UEFA Cup as their form against continental opposition continues to impress.
In their previous home encounter in the competition, Zulte Waregem were swept aside as the hosts chalked up a 6-2 victory, to add to the three points garnered from their 2-0 win in Prague against Sparta in their opening match.
It is said that two wins should be enough to qualify, but as Sports Matter was put to bed before the game against Ajax in midweek, the picture may have changed somewhat.
Despite looking good bets to progress, the UEFA Cup has yet to capture the imagination of the club’s fans as just over 8,000 turned up for the qualifier against Artmedia, while only a thousand more attended the hammering of Zulte Waregem last time out.
FK Austria Magna, to give the club its full name, may have won the league title last term, but they are highly unlikely to defend it this time out. In their last match, before this magazine went to print, the team drew 2-2 at home with Liebherr GAK, and therein lies the problem.
After 19 matches of the domestic season, FK Austria lie in eighth place in a division of just ten teams, because they have drawn nine of their matches. Allied with four wins and six defeats, it is easy to see why the team is not challenging anywhere near the top, which is currently occupied by runaway leaders Red Bull Salzburg.
By the time they visit Montjui’c, Austria’s bid to make it through to the next round could already have faltered as they failed to win any points in their opening two matches.
A 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Zulte Waregem was swiftly followed by a 3-0 loss against Ajax in Amsterdam and only a victory against Sparta in midweek will have given them anything to play for. If Espanyoi are through and Austria are out, then this game, entertaining though it may be, could be used as an opportunity to give some of the lesser used players a chance to taste first-team action against foreign opposition.
But if both teams still need something to ensure their place in the knockout rounds then it could be a real thriller and with plenty of empty seats, you can be sure of having a good view.