Co-hosts Austria will be lucky to get past the group stages of Euro 2008, according to former coach Hans Krankl.

"There is always the chance with a little bit of luck, and if they are successful in their first game, something which we believed would not have been possible might happen," Krankl (pictured) said.

"But one should be realistic, if they survive the group stage this would be a great, great success," said Krankl, who coached the team from 2002-05.

Austria, co-hosting the tournament with Switzerland, have been drawn with Germany, Croatia and Poland in Group B.

Their first game is against Croatia in Vienna on June 8.

Krankl said it was the combination of the country's negligence in grooming its next generation of players and the string of second and third-rate veterans playing in clubs abroad which were at fault for the team's weakness.

The 55-year-old Krankl, who is serving as an ambassador for the tournament, said it would be difficult to keep up the momentum and enthusiasm for Euro 2008 among Austrians should their side go out early.

Heinz Palme, the Austrian government's coordinator for the three-week finals, said much hinged on the success of his team.

"What must not happen is that Austria get thrashed three times," said Palme.

As for the eventual winners, Krankl does not expect a repeat of the surprise victory claimed by Greece in 2004.

"As always it's the usual suspects, the favourites are Italy, France, Netherlands and maybe Spain," he said.

World champions Italy have been drawn in Group C with World Cup runners-up France, Netherlands and Romania.

Reuters