Source: Xinhua

06-17-2008 08:26

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

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.

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

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 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. (Xinhua/Zhang Ming)

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.