IT IS fair to say that most footballers aren't generally renowned for their deeply held political viewpoints. My experience was that beyond discussing which party would lower the maximum tax rate and wouldn't hinder them squirrelling some of their cash abroad to a convenient tax haven, few were interested in the subtleties of foreign or fiscal policy.

There are, however, some occasions when it is impossible not to consider a wider political position and the European Championships never fail to provide the backdrop. Last week's Poland v Germany fixture was a case in point and in the unlikely event that the players had forgotten about the historical divisions, the Polish press were quick to remind them with a series of offensive cartoons showing beheaded Germans.

It is not just the press of course; fans are also quick to remind players of past disagreements, no Scotland v England game would be complete without the odd 'Remember Bannockburn' flag. At least you know where you stand on that one, but it is not always the case. One of the strangest games I have ever been to for its political significance was the USA v Iran game at the World Cup of France 98.

I expected some fireworks in the stands, and hopefully nothing more incendiary, but I could have spent the entire game watching different factions abusing each other for 90 minutes and beyond. Both nations had their own core of passionate and nationalistic supporters providing the predictable taunts. Also present were dissident Iranians who to a man – and particularly a woman – supported the Americans with gusto.

The local French were the most vocal of all in their hatred of the Yanks, but a small number of extreme right wing locals took the opportunity to abuse the darker skinned Iranians. There were scores of other splinter groups airing some very specific and heartfelt grievances which I couldn't fully translate but I am convinced at some point the People's Front of Judea must have made an appearance behind the goal.

Not all of these differences of opinions are worlds and world views apart: the bitter rivalry between the Dutch and the Germans is amongst the most infamous in Europe, but now and again there is the odd 'love in' between unexpected groups that restores our faith in humanity.

Much to my amazement when I turned up in Seoul in 2002 for the World Cup third place play-off I found that the South Koreans regard the Turkish centre backs more as deities than defenders. So much so that when Hakan Sukur notched for Turkey in the first few seconds the Koreans celebrated as if they had scored themselves. A little research unearthed the reason; more Turks gave their lives than any other nationality during the Korean War, with the exception of the Americans, though of course they do not receive the same level of lingering gratitude. It probably helped no end that the Turkish manager actually served in that war. The honourable Koreans didn't forget and partied at every shot, cross or save no matter who was involved. War had brought them together.

Discussions about other wars have been off the agenda in the past week here in Austria for the obvious reasons. Having Poland, Germany and the co-hosts in the same group has led to the need for some tact if not full blown diplomacy. I thought it would be all over by the final tie between Germany and Austria (little brother, as one local described his country to me yesterday), but the Croatians had other ideas and have actually made this group quite interesting.

I honestly expected at least civility if not outright friendship between Germany and Austria but sitting in the Viennese press room before the Poland game as Ivica Olic put the second goal past Lehmman, it was all put into perspective. Of course the Austrians wanted to stay in with a shout of qualification and a German loss aided that, but there was clearly a lot more feeling involved judging by the anti-Fatherland furore that followed.

At least there will be no repeat of the dreadful carve-up between the two during a final group game at the 1982 World Cup when the result was decided before the match. Both sides stopped trying after Horst Hrubesch had given West Germany a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute, a scoreline that saw both teams qualify for the second phase at the expense of Algeria. If ever two countries should have been banished from a tournament it was there and then. Austria and West Germany's collusion prompted FIFA to change the rules for subsequent tournaments so that the final two games in each group were played simultaneously. Stable doors and bolted horses come to mind.

It is ancient history now and this time the Austrians have been the surprise package in that they have not been totally and utterly useless. In fact they gave the Croatians a real fright with their fighting spirit even if they did lack any discernible quality in front of goal.

Thursday's match up against the Poles was more of the same. Even with Artur Boruc looking as shaky as any of us have probably ever seen him, a queue of Austrian forwards took it in turns to miss open goals during a first half of the highest tempo football from any team in the tournament so far. It was in direct contrast to the lacklustre fare served up by the Germans against Croatia. Nevertheless, it is hard to see Ballack and Co failing to take the necessary three points tomorrow, especially as their neighbours quite clearly cannot keep the work rate up for 90 minutes. But if they are not awestruck, play to their strengths and target weaknesses in the German defence it is not impossible.

Mertesacker and Metzelder have looked shaky from the start and Lehmman was clearly at fault with one goal. The real problem is, however, at full back. Whichever side Philipp Lahm is playing, then Umit Korkmaz should hot foot over on to the other wing where there is a clear weakness waiting to be exploited. Korkmaz has been a revelation with his pace and skill until the proverbial gasket inevitably blows after about 55 minutes, but even that might be enough.Even if Joachim Löw is aware of him now, there is little he can do unless he conjures a new fullback out of thin air who knows how to tackle.

The Austrians also have the advantage of a vociferous 50,000 crowd that makes the most astonishing noise inside the Ernst Happel Stadium. Just like the Tartan Army at Hampden these days, they keep the players going through their unswerving support when the legs would otherwise have packed in, hence the 92nd minute equaliser against Poland.

I can't wait for the spectacle tomorrow as I originally suspected this would be a dead rubber. Instead there is an outside chance of the biggest upset of the tournament. There is also the chance that this could be the start of a deep and unhealthy rivalry between two nations that were once just too close for comfort, and that has to be a good thing.