Euro 2008

Tottenham’s new signing Luca Modric celebrated his winning goal

Like the Czech Republic, Croatia laboured to a one-goal victory when it ought to have been far easier. Yet also like the Czechs, their victory was never in doubt. Austria and Switzerland have been treated with respect by their opponents but never looked likely to pull off a shock result. They are out of their depth in an otherwise strong field of participants.

As their co-hosts, Austria were forced to chase the game after needlessly giving away an early penalty. Tottenham new boy Luca Modric - who enjoyed an excellent game as his side’s main creative source - netted after Rene Aufhauser felled Ivica Olic and although Croatia fell away dramatically in the second half, Austria created opportunities only sporadically. Their lead was never seriously in doubt.

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The Croatia players showed their relief at the final whistle – it was a victory so imperative to their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals, with Germany and Poland also strong contenders to make the knockout stages.

Despite struggling up front, with Olic and Petric working diligently but lacking a predatory touch that Eduardo provided, there was never an imminent need to find further goals. Austria were tame in attack and left huge gaps at the back. Their second half siege demonstrated a desire to impress their raucous home fans but the quality necessary to equalise was always missing.

Assuming Poland follow suit and beat the co-hosts in four days time and Germany beat Croatia, Poland and Croatia will be involved in a virtual play-off in their final group game to decide who will progress into the last eight. Goal difference might be critical – will a solitary goal victory over the group’s weakest side be good enough to see Slaven Bilic’s team through?

The miserable reality is that the other three nations in Group B expect to beat Austria. The fact Croatia were satisfied with a one-goal triumph is simply due to Austria’s status as hosts, but the same game played in Zagreb would be seen as an opportunity for shooting practice. Under the pressures that come with a large tournament, however, Croatia’s nerves and lack of fluency was understandable. Expect improvements in their final two group games – Croatia being favourites to progress alongside Germany – but the future doesn’t look much brighter for Josef Hickersberger’s Austrian outfit.

Tags: Austria, Austria 0-1 Croatia, Croatia, Euro 2008, Josef Hickersberger, Luca Modric, Slaven Bilic

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