NORTH MACEDONIA kick-off their first ever tournament game with a tough clash against Austria.
After a superb effort in the Nations League, Igor Angelovski believes his side have what it takes to reach the last-16.
Following on from England’s clash against Croatia, tune into ITV1 at 5pm to catch this one live from Bucharest.
What’s the form?
Austria are themselves making just a third Euros appearance and haven’t won a game at a major tournament since 1990.
But their qualification efforts were stellar and despite going down to England 1-0 in a recent friendly, looked like they could carry a threat.
North Macedonia have got into a good habit of not losing, with just two defeats in their last 15 internationals.
That will serve them well in tournament football and they’ve been impressive in that run, thrashing Kazakhstan 4-0 last time out.
Who’s in and who’s out
The ever-versatile David Alaba will be tasked with inspiring Austria from front-to-back, while RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer has one heck of a strike on him.
For North Macedonia, they have an exciting squad who ply their trade all over Europe.
Napoli’s Elif Elmas is arguably their best chance of springing a shock, while Premier League and Leeds followers will be familiar with attacking full-back Ezgjan Alioski.
My coaching philosophy is always to play offensive football, that allows the fans to enjoy the game. I want to score more than the opponent.
Igor Angelovski, North Macedonia manager
Watch out for…
West Ham fans will be eager to see Marko Arnautovic, who has been prolific since his controversial move to China in 2019.
He led the team with six goals in qualifying, the same amount as Robert Lewandowski managed for Poland.
A left-field shout for the Golden Boot? Maybe not, but it’s never dull when Marko is around.
If the game’s rubbish…
Check out David Alaba’s stunning girlfriend Shalimar Heppner, daughter of the ‘Germany Gordon Ramsay’.
She met Alaba in 2017, and the pair immediately hit it off.
However, they didn’t go public with their romance until 2018, when they arrived at the Oktoberfest together in Bavaria.
Shalimar is a part-time model – and also works as a PR manager – while her dad is famous chef Frank Heppner.
Match odds
Get all your Euro 2020 ante-post tips with our tournament betting guide HERE.
Match odds
- Austria to win 4/6
- The Draw 12/5
- North Macedonia to win 9/2
Euro 2020 outright odds
- Austria 100/1
- North Macedonia 500/1
*All odds from Paddy Power and correct at time of publication.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
