Austria and Hungary will lock horns in the first match of Group F of Euro 2016 at the Stade de Bordeaux on Tuesday. Austria had an amazing qualifying campaign, as they were one of the four teams who remained undefeated, while winning nine out of their 10 matches.
As a result, Austria have emerged as one of the dark horses of the tournament. Surprisingly, this is the first time that they have qualified for the European Championship finals. They played in Euro 2008 because they had co-hosted the tournament with Switzerland.
Coming back to the match, Hungary and Austria will be facing each other in a major tournament after 82 years.
However, the neighbours have played enough matches against each other, with Hungary having the edge over Austria. Out of 137 games that they have played, Hungary have won 66 matches, drawn 31 and lost 40.
But things have changed in recent times as Austria are on a nine-match unbeaten streak.
They will want to continue with that streak and field their best starting XI against Hungary on Tuesday. Bayern Munich star David Alaba will be one of the stars to watch out for. Leicester City's defender Christian Fuchs will be leading the Austrian charge as well in Euro 2016. Stoke City's forward Marko Arnautovic and FC Basel's Marc Janko will look to slip into their goalscoring shoe.
Fuchs & co. would also like to change the stat whicg reads: Austria have been failed to get past the group stages of the last three major tournaments that they have featured in.
Janko has been nursing a neck injury. It will be interesting to see if he gains match fitness ahead of their clash against their neighbours Hungary.
Meanwhile, Hugary, who have qualified for Euro Cup finals for the first time since 1972, will want to make good use of this opportunity. They have to outclass the likes of Austria, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Iceland.
They have a couple of injury concerns ahead of this crucial encounter. Striker Gergo Lovrencsics has been ruled out of the tournament because of a knee injury. Tamas Priskin will look to deliver in his stead.
Former Crystal Palace goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly is all set to make history as he is going to be the oldest player to feature in the European Championships. He is set to break Lothar Matthaus' record.
Balazs Dzsudzsak will also be one of the players to watch out for in this Hungarian squad in Euro 2016.
Expected starting XI: Austria: Almer; Klein, Dragović, Prödl, Fuchs; Alaba, Baumgartlinger; Harnik, Junuzović, Arnautović; Janko.
Hungary: Király; Fiola, Guzmics, Lang, Kádár; Gera, Nagy; Dzsudzsák, Kleinheisler, Németh; Szalai.
