More of the Same

Day 2 saw more of the same as the other co-host was undeservingly on the wrong side of a result and another favorite showed their superiority.


Group B- Game 1
Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna

Austria- Red shirts with white shorts
Croatia- All blue

Croatia, who were dressed more appropriately for the Tour de France rather than Euro 2008, claimed a fortuitous win in their opening match. The Austrians were looking to avoid the same unfortunate circumstances that surrounded the loss of their co-hosts, but an early penalty consigned them to a similar fate. Croatian striker Ivica Olic was brought down in the box after a clumsy challenge from Rene Aufhauser. New Tottenham youngster Luka Modric stepped up and cooly slotted the ball down the middle to bulge Tommy Smyth's "Auld Onion Bag" in just the fourth minute.

Olic was at the forefront again as he was a toe poke away from removing all doubt on the game in the 14th minute. Croatia completely dominated the first 30 minutes of the game, holding at least 61% of the possession but still only had that one penalty to show for. Mladen Petric had his chance for doubling the lead as a cross from Vedran Corluka found him free behind the Austrian defense only for Petric to squander an easy chance by sending an audacious volley over the bar.

The last quarter of an hour in the first half seemed as though Austria finally understood that they were supposed to put the ball in the other team's net. Croatia found itself on the back foot desperately waiting for the halftime whistle to blow. Austria kept the pressure on with Standfest blazing a header over the bar just before the half.

Austria looked to build on the foundation laid at the end of the first half and you could tell their confidence grew with each minute passed. Harnik continually terrorized the right side of the pitch for Austria as he found his way to the box or thereabouts with some regularity.

Time began working against the Austrians as they scrambled to desperately level the game. Croatia's much vaunted creative midfield finally appeared in a timely fashion as they were able to control the last 5-7 minutes of the game. Austria were given a last-gasp chance at the death but sub Kienast headed a free kick just wide of the post and Croatia held on.

Fulltime Austria 0-1 Croatia

Group B- Game 2
Hypo-Arena, Klagenfurt

Germany- White shirts with black shorts
Poland- Red shirts with white shorts

This game has a real buzz about it as the Poles are looking for their first victory over their hated German rivals. Poland would love nothing more than to put a dent in the Euro hopes of the prohibitive favorites. What the Polish learned however, was that wishful thinking could only get you so far.

Germany started the game with the intent to erase any questions about them being the team to beat in the tournament but it was Krzynowak of Poland who had the first real chance of the game after Lehmann showed his copyrighted butter fingers. Moments later it was the Germans who squandered a golden opportunity to open their Euro 2008 account as Klose beat the offside trap and the keeper but his squared ball to Gomez was sent wide by the lunging youngster.

The Polish defense were inviting the Germans to sneak behind as they were playing an extremely high back four. It was only a matter of time before Klose was wreaking havoc once again as he slipped through the seams and played a square ball for the much-maligned Lukas Podolski to produce a simple tap in. The Bayern Munich striker produced a woeful season for his club and surprised many when Joachim Lowe included him in squad but he backed his manager's selection with a crucial first goal.

Poland were not too discouraged as they carved out a few solid chances themselves, with the best coming from midfielder Zurawski scuffing a cross just wide of the post. The Germans went into the half feeling comfortable with their lead but were probably wishing that they were up by a second goal.

The second 45 minutes produced more of the same as the Germans dictated the play while the Poles were scrambling to ensure they didnt fall further behind. Two-thirds of the way into the game, Poland had outshot the Germans 12-6 but the scoreline remained the same. Poland sub Roger Guerreiro provided a spark for the attack but was unable to help the ball find the back of the net.

Sometimes football can be a cruel game and the Poles found that out in heartbreaking fashion as Polish-born Podolski was in the right place at the right time to volley home a Klose misfire into the net and earn himself a remarkable brace. Germany looked like they could have added another with inspired sub Bastian Schweinsteiger constantly proving to be a thorn in the collective side of the Polish defense. The red and white had no response for the wonderful Podolski and left the Hypo-Arena still without a win against their hated rivals.

Fulltime Germany 2-0 Poland

Table
Germany 3 pts. +2
Croatia 3 pts. +1
Austria 0 pts. -1
Poland 0 pts. -2

Refs Take:

I think the first thing worth pointing out is how much livelier the fans were in Vienna and Klagenfurt. The Austrian fans were really behind their 11 and made the Swiss fans look like they were at a golf match yesterday. The Croatian contingent played their part too and I was really surprised to see how well they travel. Not to be outdone, the Germany-Poland match had an electric feeling as there was a palpable animosity in the air.

As far as the football went, it was almost deja vu as a co-host was unlucky to lose and a favorite showed why people werent betting against them. The Germans did almost everything right and will look to take this good form into their next match with Austria. From a tactical standpoint, I think Schweinsteiger did enough to merit a starting role in the next match, perhaps instead of Mario Gomez, who seemed to struggle at times.