Austria 0 Croatia 1
Posted on June 8, 2008
Filed Under Euro 2008
The third match in the Euro 2008 finals put joint hosts Austria against England’s conquers Croatia.The Austrian fans were looking for there team to make a good start & show them that they weren’t just here to host the tournament.While Croatia wanted to show everyone that winning the group that had England in wasn’t a fluke.
At kick off Croatia started the better & was passing the ball very well while Austria looked like they were there to make the numbers up & didn’t really show up.Maybe they were under pressure but after 3 Min’s they were under even more pressure Olic made his way into the box & was bundled over by Aufhauser & the ref pointed to the sport.Up stepped new Tottenham signing Modric who saw the keeper move to the left so he just slotted the ball right down the middle to put Croatia one nil up.After that Austria were struggling they seem to lack any quality in the side & any ideas what so ever.The only chance they had in the first 20 Min’s was a Prodl long range shot but it was going wide all the time.Then a incident involving Pogatetz when he chased Olic into the corner of the box & was all over him & Olic went down holding his face but the ref didn’t book or send him off even though he already had a yellow card but just give him a warning.
With 30 Min’s gone Austria started to get into the game & had a couple of good shot & a good chance with a header but in truth Croatia should be well ahead & out of sight as they were the better team especially when Petric found himself inside the box free but instead off controlling the football & taking a touch he decided to hit it first time but it went high & wide.After that Austria had a great chance with a shot which was saved then Croaita had a break on but it was wasted.Then Linz had a great chance but it was blocked by Simic what Croatia were doing no one knows but they were the better team for 25 Min’s but after that they seem to shut off & hold on for the one nil win but Austria from set piece’s looked a threat.
After the break Austria came out & had some determination to get the equaliser but with every attack they tried to muster Croatiia just were happy to brake it up & just pass it around.They did have a chance themselves but Kovaic headed the football over the bar.Austria then made a sun when Vastic came on the a round of applause & he seem to get Austria going & bringing them into the game more & dominated at last.With Vastic now controlling midfield Austria looked a threat & Croatia were wobbling & the one nil didn’t look safe but they seemed happy to keep it that way.
Austria then has a free kick on 74 Min’s which Vastic took but he fired it straight at the keeper & the rebound fell to Harnik who fired it over then Ivanschitz put in a great cross & Vastic had a header with power but that went straight to the keeper.Ivanschitz then with a run found himself in the box but his shot was very weak.The Croatiia team looked hot & weary but they did produce a cross from Corluka in the 89th min which found Budan but a great defensive cover form Stranzl forced it wide & nothing come from it.Austria kept trying & they went close with a curling shot from Korkmaz but it was parried by Pletikosa & if only Kienast was better with his header but it just went wide when he should have scored.So Croatia hold on for the win but didn’t look a threat to any of the big teams but we will see…
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