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By Alexandra Hudson
GRAZ, Austria, May 27 (Reuters) - Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria, in need of a lift after recording one win in 14 games, were held to a 1-1 draw by Nigeria in a friendly on Tuesday.
The home team were on top early on and took the lead in the 12th minute when Roman Kienast converted a cross from Roland Linz.
But Nigeria, ranked 39th in the world to Austria's 101, snatched the equaliser seven minutes later through Kalu Uche.
Austria went close to grabbing a winner when substitute Erwin Hoffer struck the post in the 48th.
Coach Josef Hickersberger, who will announce his Euro 2008 squad on Wednesday, used 14 players against Nigeria including 38-year-old Ivica Vastic.
"Of course we wanted to win but they were a very strong Nigerian team," Hickersberger told reporters.
Goalkeeper Juergen Macho, vying with Alex Manninger as first choice, made several good saves in Graz.
Earlier, third choice Helge Payer withdrew from the squad due to a stomach problem.
The Austrian Football Authority (OEFB) said in a statement that keeper Ramazan Ozcan had been called up as a replacement.
Austria, co-hosting the June 7-29 finals with Switzerland, are in Group B with Croatia, Poland and Germany.
The final warmup for Hickersberger's side will be against Malta on Friday.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
