Challenge starts now – Alaba

David Alaba says Austria have done magnificently to reach Euro 2016 but admits the real test starts now as they prepare for only their second-ever appearance at a Euros finals.

Austria enjoyed a superb qualification campaign, winning nine matches and drawing one, to finish top of their group on 28 points, comfortably ahead of Russia in second.

Marcel Koller’s men conceded just give goals from 10 matches while they also found the back of the net 22 times – the joint-seventh highest scorers across all qualifying groups.

Basel star Marc Janko was a stand-out performer after managing seven strikes, while Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic and Stuttgart’s Martin Harnik both chipped in with three goals each. Austria, who are 41.00 to win the tournament, have been drawn against Portugal, Iceland and Hungary at Euro 2016 in what is arguably one of the easier-looking groups.

Bayern Munich’s Alaba, who scored four in qualifying, is feeling confident the current crop of players can make it into the knockout stages for the very first time and deal with any pressure that comes their way.

“This set of players has qualified for their first tournament,” he told ESPN FC. “We don’t have to downplay our qualities. But making it to France was only the beginning. I’m sure we can handle the expectations.”

Austria, who failed to win a game at their previous appearance in the Euros, when they co-hosted in 2008, open their campaign against Hungary on June 14 and they are 1.67 favourites to clinch victory, a draw is priced at 3.50 while the Hungarian’s are 5.50 outsiders.

Koller’s men are 2.88 second-favourites to top the pool while Portugal, led by talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, are slightly shorter odds of 1.91.