Source: Xinhua

06-17-2008 10:12

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

KlAGENFURT, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Ivan Klasnic scored in the 53rdminute to grant Croatia a 1-0 victory over Poland and all-win record into Euro 2008 last eight after their final Group B match on Monday.

Danijel Pranjic seized a loose ball on the left and cut it back to Werder Bremen striker, who shot low across Artur Boruc and into the far corner.

Croatia, having already qualified as group winners with two wins out of two games, were too much for Poland although their manager Slaven Bilic fielded a makeshift lineup.

Defender Hrvoje Vejic should have opened the scoring after 20 minutes but headed Ivan Rakitic's free kick millimetres 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.

Roger Guerreiro also contributed a piece of individual brilliance, which almost restored parity for Poland in the 63rd minute.

Receiving the possession with his back to goal in the box, he turned his marker and shot a left-footed narrowly wide of Vedran Runje's left post.

Bilic made nine changes to the side that overcame Germany on Thursday with only Ivan Rakitic and Dnijel Pranjic retained down the left flank.

The duo combined to trouble Poland's defence constantly but the forward pair Klasnic and Mladen Petric lacked the experience to get on the end of their efforts in the first half.

 

Editor:Xiong