Thursday, June 12, 2008

Croatia vs Germany

The first real upset and the maiden sending off of the UEFA Euro 2008 were handed out today, as Croatia and Germany met each other in Austria. 


Just like yesterday`s game, the winner of this match would almost certainly book their place in the quarter final stage of the compititon. Germany obviously started as favourites, and they re instated their position as that after their brilliant performence on Sunday against Poland. Croatia were not going to be push overs either, but definatly started as the under dogs.


The first real chance of the game came when Luca Mordric played into Ivica Olic but Christoph Metzelder did superbly to clear the ball away for a conner and not let the Hamburg forward to convert. 


Manager Slaven Bilic probably told his team to go out there and have fun without the fear off loosing. And they were certainly doing just that. After adding a lot of pressure, it was them who got the first goal of the game. 


Danijel Pranjic `s cross was volleyed in brilliantly by Darijo Srna leaving his marker Marcell Jansen totally clueless. Huge celebrations by the entire team and their bench, in what could be a huge win for the team. 


Bilic isnt a stranger to beating big teams, he did the home and away double against England, including a famous 3-2 win at Wembley which ended Steve McLaren`s side`s chances for this compatition. 


Jansen then tried to make up for not being able to clear the ball, when his cross found Mario Gomez but the Stuggard striker`s header went over the bar from 8 yards out.


Niko Kranjcar should have probably made it 2-0 when shot over the bar at the half hour mark. The Portsmouth should have really hit the target and if so it would have surely been a goal. 


Michael Ballack could have brought his side level but his right footed effort was punched away by Stipe Pletikosa.


It wasent just the Croatia man making the brilliant saves, even Jens Lehmann was showing off his skills. Corluka's cross found 

Kranjcar and his volley from close range was punched away by the reflexes of the former Arsenal man.


Real Madrid`s Christoph Metzelder also had the chance but his header went over the post from Torsten Frings`s conner. 


Germany tralling 1-0 at the break and they would really have to improve their game if they want to have any chance of winning this.


Mordic, who moves to Tottenahm Hotspurs after the Euro 2008, had a long range effort saved by the German number 1 and it was still his team that were adding the pressure. 


And tempo was converted to goals as Croatia got their second. Leahmann was really unlucky as Srna`s cross was deflected off Podolski and it rebounded off the post only for Olic to tap it into an open net. 2-0 and Ballack and co. under some serious tention. 


Croatia last beat Germany 10 years ago in 1998. A 3-0 win for them in the World Cup in France where they finished third overall was one of the high points of this national team. 


Midfilder Bastian Schweinsteiger was brought on to help them out, and was the second substitute for the germans after Real Betis`s pacy winger Odonkor came on at half time. 


The Bayren Munich man was making an impact after being brought on and his run on the left wing almost ended up in glory when his shot went across the face of the goal and just went past the far post. So near yet so far for the 23 year old. 


Germany`s top scorer set everybody up for a brilliant last 15 minutes of the match. Robert Kovac tried to head away Lahm`s cross but got only as far as Podolski who volleyed in his theird of the tournament to get him level with David Villa as the top scorer. 


Drama in stopage time first as Mordic misses by inches. And then frustration shows on the 3 time world champions as second half sub Schweinsteiger pushes away Jerko Leko, who brought down the midfielder and also got booked for it. But the Munich man, was given a straight red, and became the first player to be suspended in the Euro 2008. Jens Lehmann and Luca Modric saw the yellow card in an incident packed 3 minutes.


At the full time wistel the Croatia team went crazy in celebrations and why shouldn`t they. Not only did they beat one of the favourites, but also almost certainly made it to the knock out round. A sweet night in the history of Croation football, while Germany have to win their next match to have any further participation in this compatition.

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