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1) Soaring high
Austria climbed into the top 10 of FIFA's world rankings for the first time in November 2015 on the back of an impressive qualifying campaign in which they reeled off nine straight wins after an opening 1-1 draw with Sweden.
The turnaround since a first-round exit as co-hosts of Euro 2008, after which they plunged to an all-time low of 105, has been nothing short of remarkable.
2) The Wunderteam
Regarded as one of the greatest sides never to win the World Cup, Austria's Wunderteam stormed onto the European scene in the early 1930s under coach Hugo Meisl and star forward Matthias Sindelar.
Pioneers of the flexible, passing style that later inspired the likes of Hungary, Netherlands and Spain, Austria at their peak demolished several of the continent’s leading sides starting with a 5-0 rout of Scotland in 1931.
Thumping wins over Germany, Switzerland, Hungary and Belgium would follow in a 14-match unbeaten run, but the Austrians were not at those heights at the 1934 finals in Italy.
Despite reaching the semis, Austria were beaten 1-0 by the hosts and would again succumb to the Italians two years later in the final of the Berlin Olympics.
Nazi Germany's 1938 annexation of Austria meant there was no Austrian team at that year's World Cup, although some players from the previous tournament turned out for Germany.
3) Ernst Happel
With league and domestic cup titles in four countries and twice a winner of the European Cup, Ernst Happel is one of the game's most successful managers.
Happel spent most of his playing career with Rapid Vienna and won 51 caps for the national team before embarking on a memorable coaching career.
He guided Feyenoord to the 1970 European Cup and became the first manager to win the competition with two different clubs when Hamburg beat Juventus 1-0 in the 1983 final.
Happel also led the Netherlands to the 1978 World Cup final where they lost 3-1 to hosts Argentina after extra time.
He coached the Austrian national side shortly before his death in 1992 at the age of 66, after which Vienna's national stadium was renamed after him.
4) Veteran Vastic
Ivica Vastic wrote his name into the European Championship record books by becoming the tournament's oldest goalscorer at 38 years and 257 days when he converted an injury-time penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw against Poland in Vienna eight years ago.
It remains Austria's only goal at the finals and also accounted for their solitary point in their maiden appearance.
5) World Cup goalfest
During the second wave of their halcyon days Austria finished third at the 1954 World Cup, but they also were involved in one of the most astonishing games in tournament history during that year's finals in Switzerland.
Their 7-5 quarter-final victory over the hosts in Lausanne set a record for the most goals in a game, a World Cup record that stands to this day.
Unfortunately, their attack was unable to bail them out again in the semi-finals as Austria were trounced 6-1 by eventual champions West Germany.
