France striker Olivier Giroud called their group opener against Austria at UEFA Euro 2024 this Monday his side's most important game.

"It's like a final," the 37-year-old 2018 World Cup winner said before the encounter in Dusseldorf. The former AC Milan striker isn't the only one in the France squad who admires Austria's development over the past two years.

The country, always a force in winter sports, garnered attention after only losing one of their past 14 games, including victories over Germany (2-0), Turkey (6-1) and Serbia (2-1).

Austria has turned into one of Euro 2024's dark horses since former Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick took over.

"Defending, in his sense, is attacking with high pressing football," France's Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano said, while Paris Saint-Germain striker Ousmane Dembele called Austria "one of the toughest sides in our group."

For most, Austria might keep to the role of outsiders, with the Netherlands and Poland completing Group D.

But their head coach has undoubtedly triggered unprecedented euphoria in the Alpine state. Rejecting an offer from Bayern ahead of the tournament's start lifted spirits to new heights.

65-year-old Rangnick spoke about "a love case" and a "family-like atmosphere" as he claims not to follow the dream of coaching one of Europe's best club sides such as Bayern.

"To accept the offer would have meant to endanger all we set up in Austria over the past two years," the 2011 German Cup winner with Schalke added.

12 players in the Austria squad play in Germany's Bundesliga, with several other in Italy's Serie A and the English Premier League.

The Austria coach admits his side is in one of the tournament's most challenging groups, "but if we survive, there won't be much more difficult opponents waiting."

Tactical variability, a robust team spirit and determination seem to be Austria's advantages, prompting the coach to say, "It will be a surprise if we win the tournament, but it's not impossible."

Rangnick claims to "have arrived as a coach" in Austria with "all of my heart", and seems optimistic about improving the country's poor tournament record over the past years.

Austria has not qualified for a FIFA World Cup since 1998, and bowed out of Euro 2020 in the last 16 after having advanced from a fairly easy group.

This time, things have changed. The country's development has triggered appreciation among top European nations.

France coach Didier Deschamps talked about "mental and physical strength" as the key when crossing swords with Austria, also mentioning the team's rocket-like development initiated by Rangnick.

To create an atmosphere of ease and relaxation, the Austria coach invited his team to a Rod Stewart concert on Saturday. "He is always good for a surprise, no matter if in sports or life," Austria's RB Leipzig midfielder Christoph Baumgartner said.

Fans now hope the next surprise will come against France.

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