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By Sylvia Westall
VIENNA, April 25 (Reuters) - The countdown clock outside Vienna's town hall tells passers-by there are only 43 days to go until Euro 2008 but many Austrians could not care less.
The three-week tournament, this year's biggest soccer event, is expected to bring millions of tourists and euros to joint hosts Austria and Switzerland.
Some Austrians, though, say there is little interest in the country, especially with fears that the national team will prove an embarrassment.
"I'm no football fan and I don't really care that the tournament is happening here," said 27-year-old doctor Thomas Jasik, sitting by a hotdog stand in the capital.
"It doesn't help that the (Austrian) team is not very good. Austrians are great at skiing but when it comes to football -- forget it!" he said, laughing and shaking his head.
A quarter of Austrians do not care that Euro 2008 is being held in their country, according to a recent survey of 1,000 people by marketing group Makam, although a majority said it was positive that Austria was a host.
While teams from the host countries automatically qualify, a petition started last year by the son of former national player Werner Kriess pleaded with Austria not to take part because they were not good enough. It has collected more than 10,000 signatures online.
CUP MEMORIES
Austria is not known for its footballing prowess. Apart from captain Andreas Ivanschitz, its top players barely register outside the country.
Its most feted footballer Hans Krankl hung up his boots some 20 years ago and was unable to repeat his success as a player during a four-year stint as coach that ended with his sacking in 2005.
Austrians still turn misty-eyed with memories of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, where Krankl helped them to beat West Germany 3-2, eliminating the defending world champions.
But that brief moment of glory was 30 years ago. In attempting to qualify for the last European Championship, Austria were beaten by Moldova, a result Austrian media called "a huge disgrace".
Even though the national team leave something to be desired, Euro 2008 could still boost Austria's image internationally if the country can at least stage a successful event.
Euro 2008 organisers have set Germany's widely-praised 2006 World Cup as a benchmark after it set off a wave of feel-good patriotism and was dubbed a "summer fairytale".
FEW SIGNS
Austrian lawyer and football fan Ulla Weinke, 32, thinks the stakes are too high. "Germany had the World Cup, we've got Euro 2008, you just can't compare the two. Germany is always going to be on a bigger scale than us," she said.
"Publicity for it has been very slow but hopefully the momentum will pick up and we will be able to enjoy ourselves".
In many parts of the quiet Austrian capital there is little sign of impending football fever with only a few understated posters and Euro 2008 promotions in shops.
Even in a bar advertising Champions League football, excitement about Euro 2008 is muted.
"It might have a good effect on Austria's image I suppose," said tradesman Alexander Unterhumer, standing at the bar. "But I don't really like football myself, I just find it too brutal."
A newsagent displaying football magazines in her shop window summed up perhaps the most dismissive attitude.
Asked if she was looking forward to Euro 2008, she simply replied: "I don't have time for such silly subjects."
