England vs Austria Women's EURO preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, predicted line-ups

Hosts England meet Austria at Old Trafford in the opening game of UEFA Women's EURO 2022 on Wednesday 6 July.

Where to watch England vs Austria on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Women's EURO 2022 broadcast partner(s) here.

What do you need to know?

The wait is over. It has been a long time coming, but the 13th UEFA Women's EURO is upon us. Hopes are high for hosts England, who have so often reached the business end of the tournament but are yet to go all the way – in Sarina Wiegman, they have a coach who lifted the trophy on home soil with the Netherlands in 2017. Austria's pedigree does not compare, but they surprised plenty of observers by reaching the last four on their debut five years ago and will again be looking to make a name for themselves by spoiling the party at Old Trafford; they did not make it easy for England in November's FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier in Sunderland, losing 1-0 to an Ellen White goal.

Possible starting line-ups

England: Earps; Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Daly; Williamson, Walsh; Mead, Kirby, Hemp; White

Austria: Zinsberger; Wienroither, Wenninger, Schnaderbeck, Hanshaw; Dunst, Zadrazil, Puntigam, Feiersinger, Naschenweng; Billa

Reporters' views

Lynsey Hooper, England reporter

Unbeaten in 14 matches since Sarina Wiegman took charge, England earned comfortable wins against Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland recently and it's hard to see Austria denying them at Old Trafford. For the Women's EURO curtain-raiser, Wiegman should play her best starting line-up. Expect Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead to be too hot to handle on the wings and the blossoming Millie Bright/Alex Greenwood centre-back pairing to be formidable at the back.

Joanna Kozak, Austria reporter

Austria were outstanding in qualifying, and the feeling in the camp is that this team is even better than the one that reached the semi-finals five years ago. Austria have versatility, and a great blend of experience and youth, but history is against them for this opener: their record against England is seven games, seven losses. Their approach will likely be to stay firm at the back and hope the in-form Nicole Billa can do damage at the other end of the pitch.

Form guide

England
Last six games: WWWWWW (most recent first)
Last match: Switzerland 0-4 England, 30/06
Women's EURO 2017: semi-finals (L 0-3 vs Netherlands)

Austria
Last six games: WWLWWW (most recent first)
Last match: Belgium 0-1 Austria, 26/06
Women's EURO 2017: semi-finals (0-0, L 0-3pens vs Denmark)

View from the camps

Sarina Wiegman, England coach: "It’s really incredible, really exciting. I can't wait. Everyone's fit, that's the most important thing to have the best players available. I'm really happy with that, but I've got a hard choice to make. We've shown that we have a very good squad with depth and it's good that we have to make hard choices.

"We just do the same things we always do, Just focus on our style of play as a team and individuals. But the tournament starts tomorrow, we have been waiting for this a long time and it would be strange if we weren't excited."

Irene Fuhrmann, Austria coach: "It's a really cool feeling. It's incredible, it's a lovely stadium and the pitch is perfect. I'm so excited to be part of the opening game. I think the preparation went well except for Maria Plattner's injury and Lisa Kolb's absence. We worked very hard and [with a lot of] intensity, and we're hoping for a very good performance.

"I think, without a doubt, England will dominate the game but we want to make it as hard for them as possible. We want to show what we can do on the ball and impose ourselves in the final third to score."

Leah Williamson, England captain: "I'm very proud. I'm sure it will be a moment I'll remember forever. We've put in the work over the last however many weeks. We know how big a moment it is. We know what to expect and pressure is a privilege. It's something we are embracing.

"We're not robots. There are going to be nerves. We are aware of the expectations but within the camp it's all about the excitement."

Viktoria Schanderbeck, Austria captain: "I'd been here for less than a minute and I already noticed that it's very special and magical – and massive, of course. Everything's branded for the EURO and you just realise it's about to get going.

"It will certainly be a highly intense match. England, home stadium, sold-out opening match… I think they'll press us very high and intensively from the off. That's to be expected. We'll obviously try to stand up to that, ask questions ourselves and catch them when they're maybe not organised, in order to then attack."