Austria face tough task against Germany

Paired with their neighbours in qualifying for the first time since German reunification, Austria are striving to put an end to a grim run when they face the Group A leaders in Vienna.

• Austria have lost their last five games against Germany since a goalless draw on 18 November 1992 in the nations' first meeting since the former East and West Germany came together again.

•  The neighbours last met at UEFA EURO 2008 when Michael Ballack's splendid free-kick in Vienna secured a 1-0 win for Germany. Defeat meant that the finals co-hosts did not progress beyond the group stage.

• Four of those defeats have been in Vienna, with their last win at home coming in their final meeting with West Germany on 29 October 1986 – a rather impressive 4-1. That was their first home win against their neighbours (excepting games against East Germany) since a 5-0 triumph on 14 September 1931.

• Austria have played 34 games against Germany and West Germany, with Austria coming out on top 3-2 in their first fixture, a friendly in Vienna on 7 June 1908. The German side has won 21 of those games to Austria's seven.

• Austria also beat Germany 5-1 at the 1915 Olympics in Stockholm, and had the better of their 11 meetings before the second world war with six wins to Germany's three (a number which includes a 3-2 win in Naples at the 1934 FIFA World Cup).

• In the days of West Germany, Austria's record against their neighbours was a worrying W2 D4 L13. Their six games against East Germany ended W1 D4 L1.

• Germany coach Joachim Löw has experience of Austrian league football, having led FC Tirol Innsbruck to the 2001/02 title before the club were dissolved due to bankruptcy.

• Austria's only competitive post-war victory against their neighbours  – a 3-2 triumph in the second group stage of the 1978 World Cup - featured two goals from striker Hans Krankl and confirmed West Germany's elimination.

• Four years later the two teams met at the 1982 World Cup. Germany's 1-0 victory enabled both teams to progress to the second round at the expense of Algeria, who had already completed their games.

• Also a one-time Tirol coach, Constantini coached in Germany in 1997/98,leading 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the 2. Bundesliga.

• Germany are one of only three nations with perfect records in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying along with the Netherlands and world and European champions Spain. They share the best goal difference in the competition with the Dutch, +16, though the Oranje have scored, and conceded, four more goals.

• Austria's five outings in the section have yielded seven points from two wins and a draw in their opening three matches, followed by 2-0 defeats by Belgium and Turkey.