Opportunity may knock for Jürgen Macho at UEFA EURO 2008™ following Helge Payer's unfortunate withdrawal from the Austria squad on medical grounds. The 30-year-old goalkeeper has had a somewhat up-and-down career at club level, the latest chapter of which was spent in Greece at AEK Athens FC.

• Represented his country at Under-21 level while in the Austrian second division with First Vienna FC.
  
• Joined Sunderland AFC in 2000 but spent most of three seasons in north-east England as deputy to Danish international Thomas Sørensen.
  
• Recruited by Chelsea FC in 2003; no more than fourth choice at Stamford Bridge and did not play a competitive game for the Blues; moved home to SK Rapid Wien, where he was understudy to Payer, making eight appearances in club's 2004/05 Bundesliga title win.
  
• Established himself as starting goalkeeper at next club, 1. FC Kaiserslautern – despite relegation in first season – and made breakthrough to national team set-up.
  
• Rotated with Payer and Alex Manninger during Austria's build-up to UEFA EURO 2008™.

Did you know?
Macho's life was momentarily in danger when he swallowed his tongue after a collision with Peter Crouch in a friendly international against England in Vienna last year. It was his 13th game for Austria.