Austria take on Hungary in Group F, with both sides hoping to start their Euro 2016 campaign on a high.
Austria have been tipped to be the dark horses of Euro 2016 following a stunning qualifying campaign. They finished eight points clear of rivals Russia in Group G and were one of only four undefeated teams.
Their performances have lifted them to the heady heights of 10th in the world rankings, which is a position few would have predicted back in 2008 after the national side suffered a disastrous Euros on home soil.
However, the appointment of Marcel Koller as coach - despite being highly unpopular at the time - has proven a masterstroke. He has forged a distinct playing style and fostered a tight-knit bond among a settled squad that is driven on by the world-class talent of David Alaba in midfield.
Like their neighbours, Hungary have also been in the doldrums, but reached a European Championship finals for the first time since 1972 by squeezing through a play-off against Norway. However, unlike Austria, few give them a chance of qualifying from Group F.
TEAM NEWS
Austria's Hungarian-born defender Gyorgy Garics has decided to stay with the squad despite his father's death last Friday.
Coach Marcel Koller is expected to stick with his first-choice team that qualified so impressively.
Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly is set to become the oldest player to feature at a European Championship finals at 40 years and 75 days.
Centre-forward Krisztian Nemeth is a slight doubt due to a muscle injury.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Austria defeated Hungary 5-0 in their first official international in 1902.
- Hungary have played 137 games against Austria (W66, D31, L40).
- Their only previous encounter at a major tournament was in the 1934 World Cup, when Austria won 2-1 in the quarter finals.
- When Hungary last reached a major tournament, the 1986 World Cup, they overcame Austria twice in qualifying, winning 3-1 in Budapest and 3-0 in Vienna. Those matches are the last time they met competitively.
- Hungary won their most recent encounter, 2-1 in a friendly, back in August 2006.
Austria
- This is the first time Austria have qualified for a European Championship finals. They co-hosted the event in 2008.
- They have been knocked out of the group stage in each of their last three major tournaments (World Cup 1990, World Cup 1998, Euro 2008).
- Christian Fuchs, Florian Klein and Robert Almer played every minute of qualifying.
- Fuchs made the most tackles by an Austrian in qualifying (31), which was also the fourth highest total overall.
- Marcel Koller is participating in his first major tournament as head coach. He played two games for Switzerland at Euro 1996 (a draw against England followed by a defeat against Scotland).
Hungary
- This is Hungary's third appearance at the European Championship finals and their first since 1972.
- Hungary's only win to date at the European Championship came in June 1964 against Denmark (3-1 in the third-place final). They have lost their other three games.
- Balazs Dzsudzsak created 24 chances for Hungary during qualifying, 16 more than any other Hungarian player.
- Ten players shared Hungary's 13 goals in qualifying (not including one own goal) and only Tamas Priskin, Krisztian Nemeth and Daniel Bode scored more than once (all with two).
- Tamas Kadar made 426 passes during qualifying, more than any other Hungarian player.
- Hungary recorded the worst goal difference in the qualifiers of all teams who made it to Euro 2016 (plus two, play-offs excluded).
Possible line-ups
Austria: Almer; Klein, Dragović, Prödl, Fuchs; Alaba, Baumgartlinger; Harnik, Junuzović, Arnautović; Janko.
Hungary: Király; Fiola, Guzmics, Lang, Kádár; Gera, Nagy; Dzsudzsák, Kleinheisler, Németh; Szalai.
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