The Teams
Austria
• HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Second behind Group G winners Poland. They lost their opening two games of the campaign, to Poland and Israel, but recovered to qualify for only their third Euro finals. Previously they co-hosted Euro 2008, while four years ago in France, they finished bottom of their group, with a solitary point from a goalless draw with Portugal.
• THE COACH
Former Sturm Graz boss Franco Foda took charge in January 2018, the first German to coach Austria’s national side. He replaced Swiss Marcel Koller, who had edged him out of the previous selection process in 2011.
• KEY PLAYERS
Julian Baumgartlinger of Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich’s highly versatile David Alaba are the key midfielders. The enigmatic Marko Arnautovic, now playing in China, remains a key figure and was top scorer with six goals in the qualifiers.
• PLAYER TO WATCH
Borussia Monchengladbach right-back Stefan Lainer, who moved from Red Bull Salzburg to the Bundesliga in the off-season, exemplifies the Austrians’ new-found competitive intensity and toughness. Dynamic and enterprising going forward, an aggressive presser of the ball and the most resolute of defensive sentries, he was the man of the match in Austria’s 2-1 win over Macedonia, crossing for David Alaba to open the scoring, then tapping in his side’s second goal.
Belgium
• HOW THEY QUALIFIED
With 10 wins from 10, and as the top scorers with 40 goals, they were the most in-form team of the qualifying campaign. New figures – Youri Tielemans, Thorgan Hazard – emerged to energise the squad but concerns remain over an ageing and injury-prone defence.
• THE COACH
Roberto Martinez took Belgium to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals after taking charge in 2016, earning a contract extension until 2020.
• KEY PLAYERS
Kevin De Bruyne outshone Eden Hazard in the qualifiers, while striker Romelu Lukaku put a troubled club situation behind him to finish as top scorer.
• PLAYER TO WATCH
Although barely 18, Anderlecht attacking midfield prodigy Yari Verschaeren is already
