PREVIEW - Austria v Germany: MUCH WEIGHT rides on Austrian shoulders tonight when they line out against the mighty Germany in an all-Teutonic clash.

Unless they pull off an unlikely win, the Austrians, like fellow host nation Switzerland, will be eliminated, depriving the tournament of that special buzz generated by a good run from the home team.

Nothing the Austrians have shown in their 1-0 defeat by Croatia and 1-1 draw with Poland - managed only after Ivica Vastic's controversial late penalty - would suggest they can upset the Germans. Indeed everything they have shown would suggest they are one of the weakest, if not the weakest side here.

Yet, there will be much talk of national pride and the "spirit of Cordoba" will be invoked by way of recalling Austria's famous 3-2 win against Germany at the 1978 World Cup in an ultimately meaningless, second-round group game.

The Germans must recover from the shock of a 2-1 defeat by Croatia last time out but they go into this game knowing a draw should be enough to qualify for a quarter-final clash with Portugal.

Yesterday, German captain Michael Ballack reported the players had met for a frank, "clear the air" meeting without coach Joachim Loew. Whether this was a solid bonding exercise or the preamble to a palace revolution remains to be seen.

Germany will be without suspended Bastian Schweinsteiger, sent off against Croatia. Austrian coach Josef Hickersberger, who played in that 1978 game, will be without Sebastian Prodl, who picked up a second yellow card against Poland.

- PADDY AGNEW

Time: 7.45 in Vienna