How big is the Germany vs Austria rivalry?

[MIGkiller]

If there is any rivalry between these 2 teams. Everyone knows that in Germany's book there are 3 main rivals in football: Netherlands, England and France, so does a rivalry with Austria follows up as the 4th one? What's the background to it and how often do you play?

[DanielHSV]

I think there're only two big rivalries: England and the Netherlands.

Other than that, I don't see any big rivalry. It's kind of embarissing to lose to Austria, but usually that doesn't happen (except the game in the 1978 WC). I think it's important for the Austrians to win against their big neighbour, and it's sort of important for us not to lose against this little country in the south ;), but still I won't consider it a rivalry. Most of the games are friendlys anyway, coz they normally don't make it to a Euro or a World Cup.

Background: they speak german as well (at least they try :D), long history between the two countries, the Nazis made them a part of the "Reich" in 1938, etc.
I guess you could call them the little brother of germany.

[Lewie]

nah i don't think there is that much of a rivalry since Germany is alot better then Austria, but yea you can call Austria Germany Junior ;)

[BayernWake]

If there is any rivalry between these 2 teams. Everyone knows that in Germany's book there are 3 main rivals in football: Netherlands, England and France, so does a rivalry with Austria follows up as the 4th one? What's the background to it and how often do you play?

Football-wise? No. Everything else? Somewhat.

[nutbar]

I've wondered why Austria is a country at all

[96Squig]

Actually Austria was considered the 2nd german country 'till 1938.
Germany consisted of a lot of sdmall states untill 1972, when it was unified and Prussia kicked Austria, till then the most important german state, out. Many ppl thought of the Austrians as germans though, because of the same language and stuff... When Austria-Hungary lost it's power many ppl wanted it to be unified with Germany (on both borders), didn't happen 'till the Nazis came, after that Austria became it's independence... Still Austria is somewhat German, as a part of Switzerland is...

[Germanshepherd]

But Switzerland has never been part of Germany. Its just settled by germans. Although one has to say that their accent is as far from german as the english one. lol

I would give the Austria-rivalry some merrits. The 1978 "accident" is very famous among both. Germany did lose to Austria in that WC.
In the thirties the Austrians have been very famous for their football. They where considered one of the best. But nonethless they lost to the Germany in the 1934 third-place-match of the World Cup.
Germany did also beat them in the 1954 semi-final and in the 1982 WC.
However the Austrians are right now too weak to refresh that rivalry, but if they would be strong it would be fun. Ive heard they have a good youth right now, so who knows?

[Mattbro]

"Bei der Fußball-WM habe ich mir Österreich gegen Kamerun angeschaut. Auf der einen Seite Exoten, fremde Kultur, wilde Riten - und auf der anderen Seite Kamerun."

[Germanshepherd]

Harald Schmidt. lol

Sechs deutsche Touristen haben in Österreich Obstler bestellt und stattdessen Spülmittel bekommen - daher kommt der Ausdruck 'Rachenputzer'. Zum Glück sind sie gerettet worden. Das sind, glaub' ich, die ersten Deutschen, die überhaupt einen Obstler überlebt haben in Österreich. Und der Wirt hat sich entschuldigt: 'I hob glaubt, Ihr seid's Holländer!'

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

Austria consider Germany rivals but Germany doesn't care, thats the way i see it.

[96Squig]

But Switzerland has never been part of Germany. Its just settled by germans. Although one has to say that their accent is as far from german as the english one. lol

Well, the three Hauptkantone (also mentioned in Willhelm Tell) were part of the Habsburger empire and wanted independence from them at that point of time. They won a big number of Austrian invasions back and in 1499 they declared independence of the holy Roman empire of the German nation, actually earlier than the Dutch did (1648).
So therefore they are not less German than the Austrians are...

[BayernWake]

Austria consider Germany rivals but Germany doesn't care, thats the way i see it.

That's how I see it.

[BayernWake]

Actually Austria was considered the 2nd german country 'till 1938.
Germany consisted of a lot of sdmall states untill 1972, when it was unified and Prussia kicked Austria, till then the most important german state, out. Many ppl thought of the Austrians as germans though, because of the same language and stuff... When Austria-Hungary lost it's power many ppl wanted it to be unified with Germany (on both borders), didn't happen 'till the Nazis came, after that Austria became it's independence... Still Austria is somewhat German, as a part of Switzerland is...

Except during the Habsburg monarchy, when Austria ruled over practically everyone.

[BayernWake]

I've wondered why Austria is a country at all

Austria is not Germany and Germany is not Austria. It's like the U.S. and Canada.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Except during the Habsburg monarchy, when Austria ruled over practically everyone.

Yes, ruled over everyone, except they hardly ruled them well. From 1800s on, the Czechs, Romanians, Ruthenians, Slovaks, Poles, Ukrainians, Croats, Bosnians, Muslims, Slovenes, Italians, Hungarians and maybe even the Germans created problems for the Hapsburgs...one happy family I guess :D

[Germanshepherd]

Austria is not Germany and Germany is not Austria. It's like the U.S. and Canada.

Yes, buts its still completely different. Its maybe a little compareable to China-Taiwan. Or Ireland and Northern Ireland.

[96Squig]

I'd say Australia and England :-)

Remember: There are no cangaroohs in Vienna!

[Mattbro]

I've lived in all four countries and I'd say the US/Canada comparison is pretty good, except that Canada is probably somewhat more similar to the U.S. than Austria is to Germany. But otherwise not a bad comparison. Especially considering that with Taiwan and Northern Ireland you still have historical conflicts that are not anywhere near being resolved, whereas in Austria and Germany it's more of a friendly rivalry than anything else at this point. (Also remember that Bavarians have a much more similar mentality to Austrians than to northern Germans on the other side of the Weißwurst-Äquator!)

[Brownswan]

Germany consisted of a lot of sdmall states untill 1972, when it was unified and Prussia kicked Austria, till then the most important german state, out. .

1872 -- wrong century, right history. Prussia fought two quick wars to gain ground: against Denmark for Schleswig-Holstein, and against Austria, winning both. Then Prussia took on France (1876?), with other German states joining in an alliance that, upon beating France, resulted in Germany, united under the Prussian Kaiser Wilhelm I.

Around the same time, I believe, Austria linked with Hungary and the Balkans to form the Austro-Hungarian Empire -- the two, large 'German' states dominating central Europe, really, until 1945.

Still, it's hard for me to think of them as rivals, since so much culture -- literature; music, especially, and language -- links them. I will always remember the waltz they danced to a draw in the 1982 World Cup, which enabled West Germany to advance out of group; they both advanced, in fact. They could have played that one to Strauss -- Johann or Richard, it wouldn't have mattered.

[bestbvb]

It dont exist a big rivality between Germany and Austria. Sometimes the media play it up, when Germany play against them but ist not exist. A bigger rivalry is beetween Germany and brasil.