Austrian Apathy for Euro 2008?

From the “you can prove anything with statistics department” comes this recent Reuters story suggesting Austrians are in no mood for Euro 2008.

Apparently a survey by marketing group Makam found that a quarter of Austrians aren’t interested in the tournament they’re co-hosting this summer. Sounds bad when you put it like that.

But if a quarter don’t care, doesn’t that mean three quarters of Austrians are counting the days until kick off?

What’s more worrying is the sheer grumpiness of those not interested in Euro 2008. Here are three sample quotes from the survey, and some WCB advice for the apathetic Austrians:

1. “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.
WCB Says: Don’t watch it then Thomas. You can’t anyway because you’ll be working round the clock.

2. 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.
WCB Says Wow. You need some dip for that chip on your shoulder Ulla?

3. “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.”
WCB Says: Fair enough, we’ve all seen Materazzi defend. But just be glad Austria isn’t hosting the Ultimate Fighting European Championships Alexander.

Obviously the football-haters (who very much exist outside of America, but as non-vocal disorganized minorities without a champion like Jim Rome) will never be convinced. And I can sort of sympathize. Must be annoying to have your whole country taken over by something you’re not fond of.

But on the other hand… suck it up apathetic Austrians. And I’ll bet you’ll see at least one game. Except for maybe the doctor guy.