'Austria ready to write history with win in opener'

Austria could make history when they take on underdogs North Macedonia in their Euro 2020 Group C opener on Sunday, earning their first ever win in the competition, coach Franco Foda said on Saturday.

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Austria are the favourites against the small Balkan nation, but in their only other appearances at the tournament, as co-hosts in 2008 and in France in 2016, they drew twice and lost four times.

"We have a very good atmosphere and we have waited for a year for this," Foda told a virtual news conference for the Azeri capital. "We want to win it at all cost, start the tournament on a positive foot.

"I feel no pressure and it told the team and the players that we can make history tomorrow and that is our aim."

The Austrians have twice beaten the North Macedonians in the qualifiers, with Foda saying they now know their weaknesses.

Having gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, North Macedonia had never come close to appearing on the big stage before a 1-0 win over Georgia in their playoff final via the Nations League propelled them to the tournament.

"We know our opponents strengths. They are quick to transition and pounce on mistakes. We have to be focused on how we build up our game," said Foda.

"We want to desperately win that game, then we can go on and define other goals."

Foda said it was still unclear whether forward Marko Arnautovic, only recently back from injury, would start or would come on later.

"It is up to the coach to decide," Foda said, after the forward declared himself fit.

"He only trained twice before the (friendly against) Slovakia last week. He played 25 minutes... We will see."

Ukraine and the Netherlands complete Group C.