Another One From The WHO GIVES A RAT'S POSTERIOR SECTION ABOUT EURO 2008 Department

Here's a Reuters story about another case of "Who Gives A Rat's Posterior Section" on the part of Austrians as far as their status for their country's co-hosting next month's EURO 2008 tournament is concerned:

In a capital famed for its imperial architecture, world-class art museums, traditional black-tie balls and classical music, talk of Euro 2008 is still largely greeted with bewilderment or indifference by most Vienna locals.

"We are not a footballing nation -- we are a winter sport nation," said Dariusz Hoefer, 47, a city-centre shop owner.

Student Christian Hofstadler, 21, agreed.

"I don't really know anyone that bothered about Euro 2008. I guess the Austrian football team is to blame -- they have been very weak historically," he said.

Maybe these Viennese would be better off if they took a month-long siesta.

EURO 2008: From The WHO GIVES A RAT'S POSTERIOR SECTION ABOUT EURO 2008 Department

The chief petitioner for an effort to get Austria to withdraw from the upcoming EURO 2008 finals has been fined for his efforts:

Michael Kriess, the son of former Austrian international Werner and a coordinator of the campaign which attracted 10,000 signatures, said a court had fined him 1,500 Euros for damage to the country's reputation and standing.

The court in Innsbruck was not immediately available for comment.

The black Austrian eagle with a golden crown appears on the website of the online petition with a football obscuring its head.

Kriess said he would challenge the fine in court in June.

"I am not worried about the Austrian team embarrassing themselves. I'm fully expecting it," he said of the tournament, where Austria are in Group B with Germany, Croatia and Poland.

Hey, Mike, how 'bout leaving the country during the tournament?

Who Gives A Rat's Posterior Section?

With roughly six weeks before the start of the UEFA 2008 finals in Switzerland and Austria, this may be the attitude of some Austrians:

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.

Geez, Louise, what're ya scared of?