AUSTRIA

Standings

KEY PLAYERS

DAVID ALABA

• Caps (goals): 105 (15)
• Position: Defender
• Club: Real Madrid

With 105 caps to his name, 31-year-old Alaba is the second-most capped Austrian international of all time behind Marko Arnautovic. Widely regarded as one of the best Austrian players ever, the full-back turned central defender will captain his country at Euro 2024. A highly decorated footballer domestically, Alaba has won the Bundesliga on 10 occasions with Bayern Munich and La Liga twice with his current club Real Madrid.

A three-time Champions League winner, his list of honours also includes numerous domestic cups, Super Cups and Club World Cup victories. Alaba will be one of the key players if Austria are to enjoy a fruitful Euro 2024.

MARCEL SABITZER

• Caps (goals): 78 (17)
• Position: Midfielder
• Club: Borussia Dortmund

An impactful central midfielder, Sabitzer plays for German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund following a transfer from Bayern Munich in 2023.

A decorated domestic player, Sabitzer has Austrian and German Bundesliga titles to his name – with RB Salzburg and Bayern respectively – as well as the Austrian Cup and the DFL Super Cup. A loan spell in 2023 with Manchester United saw him win the EFL Cup and contribute to an FA Cup final appearance.

On the international stage, Sabitzer goes into the pre-tournament friendlies having won 78 caps for his country and scoring 17 goals. A mainstay of the Austrian side, he will be crucial to any Euro 2024 success.

CHRISTOPH BAUMGARTNER

• Caps (goals): 36 (13)
• Position: Midfielder
• Club: RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig midfielder Baumgartner boasts the record for the fastest-ever international goal, scoring after just six seconds in a 2-0 win for Austria over Slovakia.

He was also the scorer of the all-important goal that saw Austria reach the knockout stages of a European Championship for the first time when he grabbed the winner against Ukraine at Euro 2020.

With an impressive record of 13 goals in 36 caps for his country Baumgartner will be looking to add to his goal haul in German as Austria look to eclipse their performance from the last competition.

PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES IN THE EUROS

Austria failed to qualify for any European Championships from the debut competition in 1960, through to 2008, when as co-hosts with Switzerland, they made their first appearance in the competition. Here are their performances in full:

• 1960: Did not qualify
• 1964: Did not qualify
• 1968: Did not qualify
• 1972: Did not qualify
• 1976: Did not qualify
• 1980: Did not qualify
• 1984: Did not qualify
• 1988: Did not qualify
• 1992: Did not qualify
• 1996: Did not qualify
• 2000: Did not qualify
• 2004: Did not qualify
• 2008: Group stage (third in Group B)
• 2012: Did not qualify
• 2016: Group stage (bottom of Group F)
• 2020: Round of 16 (lost 2-1 to Italy)

EXPECTATIONS

Given their best performance at a European Championships was their last 16 appearance at Euro 2020, there won’t be too many people fancying Austria to go all the way this time.

That said, they have a talented squad and with their key players firing will back themselves to leave a good impression as they take on the best in Europe. Group D is a difficult group but, with Sabitzer and Alaba in form, they have a chance of equalling their appearance in the competition's knockout stages.

Odds and player information correct at time of publication but subject to change