Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria thrashed minnows Malta 5-1 in a pre-tournament warm-up in Graz.

Rene Aufhauser, Roland Linz (2), Ivica Vastic and Martin Harnik gave the hosts the win, with Coventry striker Michael Mifsud on target for Malta.

Vastic, 38, was recalled to the squad for his experience and willbe the oldest player at the European Championships.

He repaid the faith of coach Josef Hickersberger by scoring his 13th international goal.

Austria's win, the first of the year, was a much-needed boost before they face tournament opponents Germany, Croatia and Poland in Group B of the Euros.

Aufhauser opened the scoring in the eighth minute heading home a corner from captain Andreas Ivanschitz.

Three minutes later Linz bagged the hosts'second.

Mifsud then exploited Austria's brief loss of concentration in the 41st minute, after a solitary break past Austria goalkeeper Alexander Manninger.

Linz scored again from a penalty in the 67th minute and substitute Vastic made it 4-1 10 minutes later.

Twenty-year- Martin Harnik claimed his second goal for Austria when he hit home in extra time.

Reuters