Cordoba 1978 = Vienna 2008?

Whoever scheduled Austria vs Germany as the final Group B game has a flair for the dramatic. Not just because both teams need a result to go through – Austria need a win (and to hope Poland don’t beat Croatia by more) while Germany need a draw – but also because of the long running rivalry between the two.

Correct me if I’m wrong (and I very well could be) but I see the rivalry between the neighbouring countries as big brother vs little brother. Big brother Germany is always expected to win, but that makes it all the sweeter when little brother Austria causes an upset.

And no phrase sums up that feeling better than this: Cordoba 1978.

The video above is from the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. It was the final game of the Second Group Stage (there used to be two group stages) and Austria were already as good as out. But World Cup holders Germany needed a result to go through.

The game finished 3-2 to Austria, with Hans Krankl scoring an 88th minute winner. The commentary heard in the video above is by the late Edi Finger, and is iconic in Switzlerand. “Tor! Tor! Tor! Tor! Tor!”

Austria didn’t progress, but – thanks to Krankl’s goal – neither did Germany. Little brother screwed over big brother on the big football stage and the win is still celebrated as one of Austria’s biggest football triumphs. In Germany it’s known as “The Shame of Cordoba.”

And if you watch that video closely you’ll see a certain Josef Hickersberger getting fouled in the center circle (at about the 1:20 mark).

Austria actually have the chance to go one better today. A repeat of Cordoba wouldn’t just eliminate Germany (which is cause enough for celebration) it also gives Austria a good chance of progressing, provided Poland don’t hand Croatia a heavy defeat.

Such a result might not be the Wunder von Wien but it would definitely be the next best thing.

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