Croatia upset three-time winners Germany 2-1 in a Group B match in Klagenfurt Thursday to move into a strong position to advance to the
quarter-finals of Euro 2008, dpa reported.
Germany paid for defensive frailties and a complete lack of creativity as
goals from Darijo Srna and Ivica Olic deservedly put the hardworking and
talented Croats two goals in front before Lukas Podolski pulled one back with
11 minutes remaining.
Germany's miserable night was completed when substitute Bastian
Schweinsteiger saw a straight red in added time for an off-the-ball shove on
Jerko Leko.
"This is definitely a setback. We are all deeply disappointed about this
game," said Germany coach Joachim Loew. "We showed too little
movement and created few chances."
The win sees Croatia move top of the group with a maximum six points and Slaven
Bilic's side will be guaranteed a place in the last eight if Poland fail to beat Austria in the day's later game.
"I think we beat Germany at their own game. We defended very well and
fought hard," said Croatia captain Niko Kovac. "With this type of
application and spirit we are going to be around until at least the
quarter-finals."
Loew kept faith with the same starting 11 that beat Poland 2-0 in their opening game with two-goal hero Podolski starting on the left wing behind strikers
Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez.
Germany dominated the early possession in the Woerthersee stadium without
really threatening as the Croats chased every ball and refused to give the
German midfielders time or space on the ball.
The Croats slowly found their feet as the game progressed and with 19 minutes
gone Luka Modric nearly played Ivica Olic through but Christoph Metzelder
managed to put in a vital challenge and clear the danger.
However, it was only a temporary reprieve as five minutes later Croatia were in front.
A series of slick passes left Danijel Pranjic with time and space on the left
to send in a cross which Darijo Srna prodded home ahead of sleeping German
left-back Marcell Jansen.
Germany's first half-chance of the game fell to Gomez two minutes later but the
VfB Stuttgart striker headed over while Niko Kranjcar could have doubled
Croatia's lead on 29 minutes but the Portsmouth star fired over from 11 metres.
Michael Ballack tested Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa with a long-range
free kick before Kranjcar missed another glorious opportunity four minutes from
the break, blasting a shot too close to German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann with the
goal gaping.
Not surprisingly, Loew replaced the tormented Jansen with David Odonkor for the
second half in an effort to shore up his leaky defence. Philipp Lahm took up
defensive duties on the left with Betis Sevilla's Odonkor taking the right flank.
Croatia were happy to sit back initially but with Germany continuing to offer
nothing in attack they once again began probing forward and thanks to a bit of
good fortune found themselves 2-0 up after 62 minutes.
Ivan Rakitic was left in acres of space on the right and sent in a cross which
deflected off Podolski, against Lehmann's near post and into the path of Olic,
who tapped the ball in from close range.
Schweinsteiger replaced the ineffectual Gomez and the Bayern Munich midfielder
nearly pulled one back for Germany on 71 minutes but his shot from a tight
angle fizzed just wide.
With time running out Croatia were happy to sit back and defend their lead and
were punished by Podolski, who drilled a low shot past Pletikosa with 11 minute
remaining to make it 2-1.
Loew threw on striker Kevin Kuranyi for Werder Bremen midfielder Clemens Fritz
in the hope of grabbing an undeserved equalizer but Croatia comfortably ran
down the clock.
"Now we have a final (against Austria) in four days," said Podolski.
"We are going to have to show our other side. We have shown on many
occasions that we can play better."