Sport Predictable wins for Germany, Croatia at Euro 200800:17 Tue 17 Jun 2008 - Alex Bivol Germany and Croatia, the two teams tipped before the start of the tournament to progress to the knockout stages of the European championship finals from group B, progressed to the quarterfinals after notching identical 1:0 wins over Austria and Poland, respectively, on June 16.
Much has been made before the match between Germany and Austria of the last time the small Alpine country, co-hosting the tournament, won against their more illustrious neighbours in a major tournament - 3:2 thirty years ago at the World Cup in Argentina.
The match itself proved a less-than-exciting affair. Even though neither team opted for a defensive approach to the game, which often resulted in the action rapidly switching from one box to another without too much patient build-up, the lack of too many clear-cut chances did not add to the entertainment value of the match.
The most excitement in the first half was provided by the two managers, Josef Hickersberger of Austria and Joachim Loew of Germany, whose constant bickering with the fourth official prompted Spanish referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzales to send them off to the stands before half-time.
The only goal of the match was scored from a free kick by German captain Michael Ballack shortly after the restart. Adidas' Europass ball, created for the tournament, has reaped much criticism for being lightweight and changing direction too easily.
Rather than resulting in more spectacular long-range efforts, as predicted before Euro 2008, it has often sailed high above goal, making good free kicks a rarity at this tournament. It seemed not to matter for Ballack, however, whose thumping shot from 25 metres sailed beyond the reach of Austrian goalkeeper Juergen Macho.
SticMAN