Consider it or not, Austria will enter this European Championship as an unknown crew.
Though historical past isn’t of their favour, they want to rewrite it after their spectacular rise over the past two years beneath the steering of Ralph Rangnick.
Earlier than his arrival in April 2022, Austria was thought of uninteresting and followers had fallen out of affection with their very own nationwide crew.
The high-pressing, high-energy fashion has woke up soccer's lesser giants and a brand new era of supporters have one thing to stay up for for the primary time in many years.
Das crew brought about a stir throughout Europe once they beat Germany 2-0 in a pleasant final November. It is perhaps a sight we get used to this summer season and past.
Mail Sport tells you all in regards to the Austria crew in Group D, together with who has certified for the match, their historical past within the competitors and who to be careful for.
Austria will go into this summer season's European Championship as an unknown crew
Ralph Rangnick's crew shall be seeking to rewrite historical past after their spectacular progress over the past two years
Who’s the supervisor?
Ralf Rangnick
Austria are managed by none aside from former Manchester United caretaker supervisor Rangnick.
Whereas his brief stint at Previous Trafford was unsuccessful, the alternative might be stated about his crew accountable for Austria.
Beneath his management, Das crew gained 12 out of 20 matches, drew three and misplaced 5.
The 65-year-old has loved a surge in reputation and just lately turned down a proposal to develop into Bayern Munich's new supervisor.
Beneath Rangnick's administration, Austria gained 12 of the 20 matches, drew 3 and misplaced 5
Who’s the star man?
Marcel Sabitzer
Probably the most notable title within the Austrian camp is captain David Alaba. Nonetheless, he won’t be concerned as he’s recovering from an ACL damage he suffered whereas enjoying for Actual Madrid final December.
“After all it's a fantastic disgrace that he's not accessible to us as a participant. I've had numerous conversations with David over the previous few weeks. He harassed that he nonetheless needs to be with us,” Rangnick stated.
'So I’m very joyful to say that after good discussions together with his membership Actual Madrid this shall be doable.'
Marcel Sabitzer is considered one of Austria's most profitable gamers and can head into the match on the again of a formidable season which noticed him play a key position in Borussia Dortmund reaching the Champions League last.
In the meantime, Inter Milan striker Marko Arnautovic is Austria's second-highest goalscorer and shall be trying so as to add to his tally of 36 targets for his nation.
Captain David Alaba will miss the Euros as he recovers from an ACL damage
Marcel Sabitzer is considered one of Austria's most profitable gamers and shall be brimming with confidence
How did they qualify?
Austria have been a powerful crew in Group B of the qualifiers. They completed second forward of Sweden, Azerbaijan and Estonia, and only one level behind table-toppers Belgium.
Rangnick's facet collected 19 factors from a doable 24, scoring 17 targets and conceding simply seven.
Sabitzer was the star participant for Austria within the qualifiers, scoring 4 targets and two assists in seven video games. However he wasn't the one participant who put in a stellar efficiency.
RB Leipzig ahead Christoph Baumgartner scored three targets, whereas SC Freiburg winger Michael Gregoritsch additionally scored three targets.
Veteran Arnautovic featured in solely 4 of the eight video games however managed to attain twice.
Sabitzer was Austria's star participant within the qualifiers, scoring 4 targets and two assists.
Fixtures (all UK instances)
Austria are positioned in a tricky group and they need to come out of it. However leaving them out is at your individual danger.
They start their marketing campaign towards match favourites France on June 17, and can tackle Poland on June 21 and Holland 4 days later.
Austria vs France – Monday 17 June, 8pm at Dusseldorf Area
Austria vs Poland – Friday 21 June, 5pm Olympiastadion, Berlin
Austria vs Netherlands – Tuesday 25 June, 5pm Olympiastadion, Berlin
Austria will play France, one of many match favourites, of their first match
Match historical past
This 12 months's Euro shall be Austria's fourth, having beforehand appeared in 2008 (as co-hosts), 2016 and 2020. Their greatest efficiency got here at Euro 2020 once they reached the final 16.
Probabilities of successful the trophy
Austria have odds of 66/1 to raise the trophy Sky Bet. Odds are right on the time of publication.
Provisional squad
Goalkeeper: Niklas Hedl (Speedy Vienna), Tobias Loll (Linz), Heinz Lindner (Union Saint-Gilloise), Patrick Pentz (Brondby)
guard: Flavius ​​Daniliuc (RB Salzburg), Kevin Denso (Lens), Stefan Lainer (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg), Philipp Mwene (Mainz), Stefan Posch (Boulogne), Leopold Querfeld (Speedy Vienna), Gernot Trauner (Feyenoord), Maximilian Wober (Borussia Moenchengladbach)
Midfielders: Thierno Ballo (Wolfsburg), Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig), Florian Grillitsch (Hoffenheim), Marco Grul (Speedy Vienna), Florian Kainz (Cologne), Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Prass (Sturm Graz), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen), Matthias Seidl (Speedy Vienna), Nicolas Seewald (RB Leipzig), Patrick Wimmer (Wolfsburg)
Ahead: Marko Arnautovic (Inter Milan), Maximilian Antrup (Hartberg), Michael Gregoritsch (Freiburg), Andreas Weimann (West Bromwich Albion)
