EURO 2008 GROUP B LATEST
Austria 0-0 Poland 1945 BST
RESULT
Croatia 2-1 Germany
GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)
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(Not all contributions can be used) By Caroline Cheese
2001: Well, really. If Austria don't win this game, they'll only have themselves to blame. That's three golden, golden chances. Christoph Leitgeb is clean through this time but shoots too close to Artur Boruc.
2000: Why can Austria not score a goal? Why? Umit Korkmaz delivers it on a plate for Martin Harnik. The goal is gaping but Harnik shoots far too close to Artur Boruc from less than six yards. They should be 2-0 up.
1956: What a chance for the hosts. Martin Harnik nips in ahead of the dithering defender and is clean through - but sees his shot pushed wide. Should have scored.
1955: Free-kick for Austria. The home fans give it the big build-up but it's a tame effort from 40 yards from Andreas Ivanschitz.
1951: Bright start from Austria. Some quick passing ends with Andreas Ivanschitz fizzing a shot well wide.
1948: Marek Saganowski's first contribution is to bring down Emmanuel Pogatetz and give away the free-kick. Good decision from Howard Webb. Poland clear though.
1945: Away we go then.
1944: There's our first sight of Howard Webb. He looks cool, confident. Come on England.
1943: The Polish fans stand and applaud as Austria sing their national anthem. Nice.
1940: Holy goalie Artur Boruc takes over the captain's armband for Poland tonight in the absence of the injured Maciej 'Magic' Zurawski. It's been a momentous week for Boruc, who became a father for the first time on Wednesday.
1939: A stat you say? How about this: The only previous meeting between these two teams at a major tournament was at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Austria won 3-1 in the semi-finals but only after they had lost their quarter-final to Peru only to be reinstated because some Peruvian fans invaded the pitch.
1936: "Poland coach Leo Beenhakker just told me he had no tactical surprises tonight. I don't believe that. I think he'll have something up his sleeve. He usually does."
BBC analyst Gordon Strachan
1933: "We know Germany are no good defensively. Slaven Bilic exploited it brilliantly."
BBC analyst Alan Shearer
1931: "Q: What do you call an Englishman at the final of a major competition? A: Something polite or he'll book you."
aconlon on 606
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1925: If you were the referee and a player committed a second bookable offence, would you send them off or give them another chance and go down in history as the first referee to give a player three bookings at an international tournament? I don't know. Why not Ask The Ref?
Ask The Ref
1921: As I mentioned earlier, the whole of England will be pinning their hopes on referee Howard Webb and his two assistants tonight, the only men representing the country at Euro 2008. We should be in safe hands. After all, our officials very rarely make fools of themselves at major international tournaments...
1917: "Re 1914: Come on Saga! I've got him at 125-1 for leading goalscorer! Hope he gets a couple!
A desperate saints fan via text on 81111
1914: Three changes apiece then. Austria bring in Gyorgy Garics, Christoph Leitgeb and Umit Korkmaz, while striker Roland Linz recovers from injury to keep his place in Josef Hickersberger's team. Poland introduce Mariusz Jop, Brazilian-born Roger Guerreiro and Southampton striker Marek Saganowski.
1910: TEAMS
Austria: Macho, Garics, Prodl, Stranzl, Pogatetz, Leitgeb, Aufhauser, Ivanschitz, Korkmaz, Harnik, Linz. Subs: Manninger, Ozcan, Standfest, Fuchs, Vastic, Gercaliu, Katzer, Patocka, Hiden, Kienast, Saumel, Hoffer.
Poland: Boruc, Wasilewski, Jop, Bak, Zewlakow, Dudka, Lewandowski, Krzynowek, Roger, Saganowski, Smolarek. Subs: Kowalewski, Fabianski, Wawrzyniak, Golanski, Gargula, Pazdan, Lobodzinski, Murawski, Zahorski, Kokoszka.
1908: So now Poland must avoid defeat against co-hosts Austria if they are to avoid an early exit. The Poles should be confident. They've won their last two matches against tonight's opposition.
1902: "Bilic's tactics were spot-on whereas Low's were ineffective and naive. Why play a striker (Podolski) on the left wing just to fit in the egos of the team? Perhaps that's the reason why Schweinsteiger got sent off - out of frustration of being picked behind a striker on the left."
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1859: The magnificent Luka Modric leads the way on Player Rater with 7.31, edging ahead of Darijo Srna. Calamity left-back Marcell Jansen, who was hauled off at half-time, is on 4.27.
1857: "Overall, Croatia far superior to Germany, better tactics, technique. We can add them to the list of teams who can win this comp. Super match - this Euro '08 is warming up nicely."
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1854: And that's our first shock of the tournament. Brilliant scenes in Klagenfurt as the Croatia players and their charismatic manager Slaven Bilic celebrate with their ecstatic fans. Misery for the German contingent.
1851: Germany suffer only their eighth defeat in European Championship history and while you'd still bet on them qualifying, they could face Portugal in the quarter-finals.
1850: FULL-TIME Croatia 2-1 Germany
1847: RED CARD Germany
Bastian Schweinsteiger is brought down by Jerko Leko and responds by shoving the Croatian sub to the ground. Straight red. Leko holds his face in embarrassing fashion. The German's hands went nowhere near there, but Schweinsteiger raised his hands so...
1847: Germany have three minutes to salvage a point.
1844: Croatia play a bit of keep-ball down by the corner flag. They're two minutes (plus stoppages) away from only their second win over Germany.
1841: Time for Croatia to shut up shop as attacking midfielder Nico Kranjcar comes off to be replaced by defender Dario Knezevic.
1838: Substitutions a-go-go. Clemsn Fritz off, Kevin Kuranyi on. Darijo Srna off, Jerko Leko on. Croatia have now withdrawn both their goalscorers.
1835: GOAL Croatia 2-1 Germany
Michael Ballack's header down from a Philipp Lahm cross takes a deflection and Lukas Podolski smashes home his third goal of the tournament. Squeaky bum time for Croatia. Eleven minutes remaining.
1833: "I would still never write the Germans off. Every team has a bad day at some stage. They are being outclassed and Croatia have their number here. But I still think Germany will go far, and are still favourites in my opinion."
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1830: Just as I say Germany are predictable, they come up with one of their best moves of the match, ending with Bastian Schweinsteiger hammering in an angled shot - saved by Stipe Pletikosa.
1827: Germany's odds of winning the tournament will have lengthened considerably during this match. Their defence looks very shaky and they've been predictable going forward. Meanwhile, Croatia take off Ivica Olic and bring on Mladen Petric.
1825: If the scoreline stays the same, Croatia are all but through to the quarter-finals while Poland will go out if they lose to Austria later.
1823: Niko Kranjcar twists and turns outside the box and is brought down by Torsten Frings. Free-kick 25 yards out. I don't need to tell you do I? Straight into the wall...
1821: Mario Gomez comes off to be replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger. I'll be surprised if Gomez starts another game for Germany in this tournament.
1818: GOAL Croatia 2-0 Germany
Ivan Rakitic's cross from the right takes a wicked deflection off Lukas Podolski and is touched onto the bottom of the post by Jens Lehmann but the ball comes out for Ivica Olic to tap in. Croatia on their way to the quarter-finals.
1818: Mario Gomez is away down the left after a mistake by Robert Kovac but it's an awful cross. Gomez is having a nightmare tournament so far.
1815: Darijo Srna it rolling about after a challenge by Torsten Frings, who took ball and man. He hobbles off but I wouldn't mind betting we might see a few more stoppages of that sort if you know what I mean.
1812: A lull in the action means the director can slow us clips of lots of Germany players looking frustrated. I can't help thinking Croatia might rue those two Niko Kranjcar chances that went begging...
1808: Luka Modric has a go from distance and Jens Lehmann fumbles before finally collecting.
1807: Seriously. Can no-one deliver a decent free-kick anymore? Promising position for Germany completely wasted as Torsten Frings' effort barely reaches the penalty area.
1805: Stipe Pletikosa punches a cross straight into Michael Ballack's path but the German midfielder can only stab the ball over the bar.
1804: "Odonkor? Come on... are you serious?"
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1802: Germany boss Joachim Low does indeed haul Marcell Jansen off. Clemens Fritz slots in at right-back, Philipp Lahm moves to left-back and speed machine David Odonkor comes on to play on the right wing. Got that? Oh and we're under way in the second half.
1800: "Everyone is talking about Jansen, but the hole is in the left midfield, and this is Podolski's position now. He just isn't a midfielder. Completely lack of defensive work, no wonder, he is an out-and-out striker."
helopyrus on 606
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1758: "Cor-luka the score!"
Anon via text on 81111
Best of a bad bunch.
1755: Time for your daily reminder, folks... Did you know that if you text the word 'euros' to 81010 you will get a link to our Euro 2008 website? Click on that for mobile international football tournament news heaven. Remember, texts to the BBC cost 10p to 15p and that although our site is free for you to access, your network operator will charge you for the amount of data you use.
1752: I will be very surprised if Marcell Jansen emerges for the second half. Not surprisingly, the German left-back is the bad boy of Player Rater on a miserable 4.49. Goalscorer Dirijo Srna still leads the way on 7.14.
1749: Now when I said enough, I meant it. No more German puns. Come up with a Croatian one, and you might be in with a shout. Consider that can of worms officially opened.
1748: Slaven waits menacingly in the tunnel to speak to the officials, who studiously walk past him as if he's not there. Cheer up Slaven, your team deservedly lead tournament favourites Germany. Although they may not be tournament favourites anymore.
1747: HALF-TIME Croatia 1-0 Germany
1746: Josip Simunic gets a yellow card for kicking the ball away. Slaven Bilic quite literally is up in arms about that decision. He's wagging his finger in irate fashion at the linesman.
1744: Truly, from zero to hero. Croatia's Darijo Srna has gone from the rock-bottom Player Rater slowcoach, to top of the class with 6.98. Well done him.
1741: Unbelievable. Another mistake from hapless left-back Marcell Jansen allows Vedran Corluka to escape down the right. His cross is chipped into Niko Kranjcar's path but the Portsmouth man shoots straight at Jens Lehmann. Croatia should be 2-0 up...
1740: Torsten Frings puts a corner straight onto Christoph Metzelder's head - but he nods it over the bar. Good chance.
1739: "I don't think the Lahm bells will be ringing for Germany just yet. In Lehmann's terms, it's a Klose match."
Anon via text on 81111
Seriously, no more.
1736: "Re 1729: That's the lahmest pun I've heard in a long time."
Mark via text on 81111
1734: Michael Ballack's free-kick is punched away by Stipe Pletikosa before a couple of half-chances go begging.
1731: Remarkably, Croatia goal hero Darijo Srna is rock-bottom on our Player Rater, with just 4.57. That will change soon, surely...
1730: Sweet move from Croatia. Ivica Olic heads the ball back for Niko Kranjcar, who blazes over from an excellent position. Germany are reeling.
1729: "Quiet start for Germany but as they say 'Frings can only get better'."
Chris via text on 81111
Truly terrible. I am not publishing that. I refuse. Oh.
1727: Darijo Srna can't keep out of the action. The Croatia winger gets the first yellow card of the game for a sliding challenge on Lukas Podolski.
1726: First shot on target, first goal. That should liven things up. Slaven Bilic celebrates by leaping into the arms of one of his coaching team.
1723: GOAL Croatia 1-0 Germany
Danijel Pranjic delivers a brilliant cross from the left and Darijo Srna sticks out a leg ahead of Marcell Jansen to prod the ball home. The German left-back seemed to fall asleep there.
1721: "Have Germany really had 100% possession after 15 minutes? Surely must be a record for a team not to touch the ball for so long..."
Richard, Berks, via text on 81111
Remarkable isn't it? Hmm, it seems there may be some German bias in our stats for this game. Apologies.
1720: Clever little through ball from Luka Modric for Ivica Olic but Christoph Metzelder is there with a vital challenge.
1715: Croatia winger Darijo Sirna swings in a corner from the left which is headed on but there's no one to apply the finishing touch.
1713: I think I see rain drops on Slaven Bilic's slate grey suit. Am I the only one hoping for a downpour like the one we had in Basel last night?
1710: Mario Gomez lays the ball off for Lucas Podolski to have a pop from the edge of the box but his effort hits a Croatian defender. Germany looking lively here.
1709: Germany have their first corner of the game. Torsten Frings takes it but Croatia clear comfortably.
1705: Trouble for Darijo Srna, who needs some magic spray after a clash with German defender Christoph Metzelder. He's OK though.
1703: The Croatian fans outnumber the Germans inside the teeny Worthersee Stadium and they're making a helluva din as the two teams get into their stride.
1700: Belgian referee Frank De Bleeckere gets the game under way.
1657: A giant Croatian flag is unfurled in the stands as the anthems are played. "It's like a red and white chessboard," muses BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce. Indeed.
1652: I love the way they have a mini-opening ceremony for every single game. Quite right too. As the one in Klagenfurt reaches a crescendo, the giant football in the centre circle cracks open to reveal... Steve McClaren! No, I'm joking. It's the flags of Croatia and Germany.
1650: "Re 1619: As an Arsenal fan I can assure you it's worth testing Lehmann from just about anywhere on the pitch."
Dan via text on 81111
1643: "I think Gattuso deserves a mention on the beard front. I know it's nothing special but at least it's consistent!"
owensgoinnowhere on 606
The beard equivalent of Germany perhaps?
1640: Anyone for a stat? Germany have lost one in eight against Croatia and that was a 3-0 drubbing in the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup. Current boss Slaven Bilic and defender Dario Simic, who's on the bench today, were part of that side
1639: "Re 1631: But Darling Dave hasn't hit a decent one since 2001, Cheese. Besides Andrea Pirlo is here and he's always been the best."
Gio Ferri, Glasgow, via text on 81111
1636: "This is most probably the toughest challenge in Germany's group, and I do believe they will struggle against Croatia's midfield. The likes of Modric, Srna and Olic will seriously trouble the not-so-decent defence duo of Metzelder and Metersacker."
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1631: Indeed, Euro 2008 has proved a disappointment on the facial hair front. And on a slightly more serious note, can anyone take a decent free-kick anymore? It almost makes you wish David Beckham and England had qualified. Almost.
1629: "Caroline, after seeing all the teams on view, any closer to the Beard of the Tournament winner? I say it's between Metzelder and Melberg - few other wild men on show."
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1627: "1-1, Modric first goal. Currently available at 70-1. Surely that's worth a punt?"
Scott, Birmingham, via text on 81111
Were I to be the type of person that encourages gambling, I'd almost certainly agree.
1625: "Germany have so much class in their team that I think they will win 4-1. Croatia are not in the same league."
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1624: Of course, England make their Euro 2008 bow today. Yup, Howard Webb, along with assistants Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey, will be taking charge of Austria v Poland in Vienna later. Come on England.
1619: I really do believe this could be a lively little number. If Croatia can play for longer than the 25 minutes they managed against Austria, I think they might cause Germany a few problems. And surely it's worth testing Jens Lehmann out with a few long-range punts?
1614: So Ivan Rakitic comes in for Croatia, replacing Mladen Petric, and is expected to play behind striker Ivica Olic. Germany are unchanged so Lucas Podolski stays on the left flank with Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose up front.
1609: TEAMS
Croatia: Pletikosa, Corluka, Robert Kovac, Simunic, Pranjic, Srna, Modric, Nico Kovac, Rakitic, Kranjcar, Olic. Subs: Galinovic, Runje, Simic, Vejic, Vukojevic, Kalinic, Pokrivac, Knezevic, Leko, Klasnic, Budan, Petric.
Germany: Lehmann, Lahm, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Jansen, Fritz, Frings, Ballack, Podolski, Gomez, Klose. Subs: Enke, Adler, Friedrich, Westermann, Rolfes, Schweinsteiger, Neuville, Trochowski, Hitzlsperger, Borowski, Odonkor, Kuranyi.
1607: After Switzerland crashed out of the tournament in heartbreaking fashion on Wednesday, co-hosts Austria could follow them later. Listen carefully, I shall say this only once*: if Germany avoid defeat, Austria will go out if they lose; if Croatia avoid defeat, Poland will go out if they lose.
*Not really. I'll say it again. I just said that for effect.
1600: I'm wondering if Euro Two Thousand and Great actually Euro Two Thousand and Hates me. I sit through four humdrum matches at the weekend and then, boom, the tournament is set alight in spectacular fashion on Monday… ON MY DAY OFF! Am I bitter? Yes. Never mind. Croatia v Germany? Should be an absolute belter.
BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads
Austria and Poland have met on seven previous occasions with Austria winning three times and Poland four.
Poland have won both competitive matches, 3-2 and 1-3 in the qualifying tournament for World Cup 2006.
Poland have scored at least three goals in their last four meetings with Austria.
Team facts - Austria
With their defeat against Croatia (0-1), Austria became the sixth host nation to lose their opening match at a European Championship tournament.
Hoping to avoid joining Belgium (2000) as the only European Championship hosts not to survive the group stage, since the introduction of the knock-out stages in 1984.
Since the introduction of the knock-out stages, seven teams have survived the group stage after losing their opening match. At Euro 2004, Portugal and England were the last to achieve this feat.
Not won any of their last seven matches in the Ernst Happel Stadion. Their last win at this venue was on 15 November 2006 when they hosted Trinidad and Tobago (4-1).
Current Poland coach Leo Beenhakker was the coach of Trinidad & Tobago until July 2006.
Team facts - Poland
Beenhakker is still waiting for his first victory as an international head coach in eight matches at major championships. Four matches with Holland (1990 Fifa World Cup), three with Trinidad and Tobago (2006 Fifa World Cup) and the first group phase match with Poland have not produced a victory.
No other coach was winless in more matches at the two major tournaments.
The last debutant to survive the group phase were Croatia in 1996 when they reached quarter-finals.
Player facts - Austria
If he plays, defender Martin Hiden will win his 50th cap for Austria in this match.
In the first group match, the 38-year-old Ivica Vastic became the fourth oldest player in the history of the European Championship. If he scores, Vastic will be the oldest goalscorer ever at the tournament.
Sebastian Prodl, Jurgen Saumel and Emanuel Pogatetz will be suspended upon receiving another yellow card.
Player facts - Poland
Poland's Marek Saganowski (Southampton) joins Austria's Ramazan Ozcan (Hoffenheim) and Germany's Oliver Neuville (Borussia Monchengladbach) as the only Euro 2008 players to have played their 2007-08 club football below the top flight.
Mariusz Lewandowski and Ebi Smolarek will be suspended if booked.
Defender Jacek Bak plays at Austria Wien. He faces his team mates Joachim Standfest and Ronald Gercaliu.
Miscellaneous Info
Poland and Austria are both making their debut at the European Championships. Both nations are the only participants yet to score their first ever European Championship goal.
Big Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports
(BBC)
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