体坛英语新闻：Croatia bullish, Germany relieved at Euro 2008

VIENNA, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Croatia were bullish at Euro 2008 as the Balkan dark horse topped Group B with three wins after they beat Poland 1-0 on Monday in Klagenfurt.

    Germany, which had been widely considered as the title favorites, were relieved on Monday after they downed co-hosts Austria 1-0 in Vienna, sealing one berth at last eight of the tournament as Group B runner-up.

Croatia's Ivan Klasnic competes during a Euro 2008 Group B football match between Croatia and Poland in Klagenfurt, Austria, June 16, 2008.

Croatia's Ivan Klasnic scored in the 53rd minute while German captain Michael Ballack scored a super long-range free kick four minutes after interval, gifting both teams of Monday's victory.

    After beating Austria 1-0 in the opening match and humiliating Germany 2-1 in the second round, Croatia had already secured one seat of last eight.

    Croatia fielded a second-string side, and coach Bilic made nine changes to the side that overcame Germany on Thursday with only Ivan Rakitic and Dnijel Pranjic retained down the left flank.

    Ivan Klasnic scored in the 53rd minute to grant Croatia the victory over Poland and all-win record into Euro 2008 quarter-finals.

    Defender Hrvoje Vejic should have opened the scoring after 20 minutes but headed Ivan Rakitic's free kick millimeters wide of the Poland upright on the stretch.

    Leo Beenhakker's men failed to deliver although they pledged to give their best for a slim chance to stay alive, given a big win against Croatia and Germany's defeat by Austria in the other simultaneous Group B match.

    After a lackluster first half, however, Poland regained pace after the restart as Beenhakker introduced Euzebiusz Smolarek, who was dramatically omitted from the starting lineup.

    The Santander striker went so close in the 81st minute when, using a neat little drag back, he skipped away from two challenges and unleashed a left-footed effort, which curled inches wide.

    In another match in Vienna, Michael Ballack's free-kick lifted Germany to a 1-0 victory over co-hosts Austria.

 

Germany's Michael Ballack (L) vies with Austria's Juergen Saeumel during a Euro 2008 Group B football match in Vienna June 16, 2008. Germany won the match 1-0.

Ballack scored by a powerful 28-yard free kick in the 49th minute, the first goal on a direct free kick in Euro 2008. The shot was so speedy that Austria goalkeeper Jurgen Macho got caught slightly off his line.

    In a sold-out Ernst-Happel Stadium, Germany staged attack waves one after another during the first ten minutes as they were striving to booking a seat for the last eight.

    However, ambitious Germany encountered fierce countattacks from co-hosts Austria.

Germany's Clemens Fritz (C) vies with Austrian players during a Euro 2008 Group B football match in Vienna June 16, 2008.

In the 22nd minute Austrian striker Erwin Hoffer could face Lehmann directly, but he misplaced the ball.

    In the 36th minute, Austria's Umit Korkmaz drove in a cross to the center of the area, but Christian Fuchs' header was over the top.

    As the battle intensified, Loew and Schweinsteiger were eager to command the team and quarreled with the referee. Both of them were ordered to stay away from the coach's benches.

    During the second half, Germany continued their offensive edge and the three-time tournament winners were rewarded with Ballack's free-kick score 4 minutes after the interval.

    To defend their dignity as co-hosts, Austria showed no retreat and they staged waves of counterattacks.

    Austria made some good forays forward in the last stages of the game, but lacked the quality to beat the German defense.

    Germany thus moved on to face Portugal in the quarterfinals, while Croatia are to take on Group A runner-up Turkey.

    "I feel good and I am happy about the victory," said German coach Joachim Loew after the match.

    "It was a huge pressure situation, but it is also pleased to be able to games with pressure and emotion," he added.

    German defender Philipp Lahm had already cast his eyes on next match against Portugal.

    "With regard to Portugal and we will improve in all areas," he said.