Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
AntWorks is based on a 2003 NASA Space Shuttle experiment to study life in space and how ants successfully tunnel in microgravity. The ant farm is created using AntWorks Gel and is complete with nutrients to promote healthy growth in the new colony.
The beauty of the display comes in when the ants create intricate tunnels and these are light up at night illuminated by LED. The gel and illuminator can be bought at the
Antworks website.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Olić kick-starts Croatian celebrationsCROATIASrna 24,
Olić 62
2-1
GERMANYPodolski 79
Famous win
With both teams having won their first game on Sunday each knew victory in Klagenfurt would all but secure a ticket to the last eight, and it was Croatia who struck first midway through the first half thanks largely to the determination of Srna. The points looked safe when Olić tapped in just past the hour, yet Lukas Podolski set up a tense finale with his third goal of the tournament eleven minutes from time. Croatia, whose only previous success against the Mannschaft came in the quarter-finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup – a match in which Bilić played – held on with Germany losing Bastian Schweinsteiger to a late red card. Joachim Löw's men were left needing to negotiate Monday's meeting with Austria to reach the last eight.
Srna strikes
While the Germany coach kept faith with the side that served him well against Poland, Bilić brought in midfielder Ivan Rakitić for Mladen Petrić and pushed Niko Kranjčar into a more advanced role. Neither team were prepared to take risks in a tense opening and the first scoring opportunity did not materialise until the 24th minute – and from it, Croatia took the lead. The ball was worked neatly down the left for Danijel Pranjić to deliver a superb deep cross which Srna, arriving ahead of his marker Marcell Jansen at the far post, steered past Jens Lehmann.
Missed chances
Germany sought an immediate response with Mario Gómez heading over from Jansen's cross, although Kranjčar might have doubled the Croatian advantage only to volley Olić's knockdown over the bar. Germany captain Michael Ballack came more into the game, seeking to drive his side forward with half-time approaching and stinging the palms of Stipe Pletikosa with a powerful free-kick, before Christoph Metzelder nodded a Torsten Frings corner too high. Yet it was Croatia who finished the opening period the stronger, with Kranjčar wasting another presentable chance as he volleyed Olić's pass straight at Lehmann.
Olić opportunism
Löw replaced Jansen with winger David Odonkor at half-time, with Clemens Fritz and Philipp Lahm moving to right and left-back respectively as the coach tried to inject pace into his attack. The ploy did result in Löw's team gaining more possession but they still found it tough to carve out clear opportunities and fell further behind two minutes past the hour, albeit in unfortunate fashion. Lehmann reacted sharply to push Rakitić's deflected right-wing centre on to his near post, the ball having struck Podolski, but Olić moved fastest to tap the rebound into an unguarded net.
Podolski pounces
If that goal seemed to be the prelude to a comfortable last half-hour for Croatia, a Germany side who were running out of ideas suddenly halved the deficit with Podolski volleying in Ballack's knockdown from a Lahm cross. Despite that revival of ambition, the Mannschaft failed to mount a late charge and a disappointing day was completed two minutes into added time when substitute Schweinsteiger was sent off for reacting to a challenge from Jerko Leko.
http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match=300693/report=rp.html 32
1-2
TURKEYSemih Şentürk 57,
Arda Turan 90+2
Downpour
Switzerland, like Turkey beaten on the opening day, dealt better with a first-half Basel downpour and Hakan Yakin put them ahead just past the half-hour with a rain-assisted goal. Semih Şentürk, however, was a prolific scorer from the bench for Fenerbahçe SK this season and 12 minutes after his half-time introduction he repeated the trick for his nation. It seemed a draw would be the outcome but Arda had other ideas and now Turkey can reach the quarter-finals by winning their final Group A game against the Czech Republic on Sunday, which if it is drawn will go to penalties. Switzerland, for their part, are resigned to finishing in fourth place.
New strikeforce
Not only were Switzerland without Alexander Frei after his knee ligament injury sustained in the 1-0 defeat by the Czech Republic but Marco Streller's groin problem was worse than originally thought so Eren Derdiyok and Yakin, both with Turkish heritage, were drafted in up front. Both teams had begun positively when the heavens opened after ten minutes and water quickly settled on the pitch. Gökhan Inler, the other Switzerland player with Turkish roots, tested Volkan Demirel, who then dived to stop a stinging Yakin shot. The Turkey goalkeeper was being kept busy, a Tranquillo Barnetta free-kick the next effort he had to save.
Arda deniedFatih Terim had reshuffled the Turkey midfield since the 2-0 loss to Portugal, with captain Emre Belözoğlu injured and Tümer Metin, Gökdeniz Karadeniz and Arda all given starts, while Emre Aşık came in for injured defender Gökhan Zan. Any tactical plans had been scuppered by the downpour, however, and it was an old-fashioned set-piece that nearly gave Turkey the lead. Nihat Kahveci's free-kick was tipped by Diego Benaglio on to the head of Arda and the ricochet hit the woodwork.
Yakin strikes
Three minutes later Switzerland scored and the weather could claim an assist. Derdiyok chased a long ball into the right channel, rounded Volkan and squared. Unexpectedly, the ball held up right in the goalmouth and the grateful Yakin reacted first to tap in. A couple of minutes later he could have had another but this time he misjudged Valon Behrami's cross. The rain eased just before the break but the surface water presented a challenge for the groundstaff at half-time.
Equaliser
On to the partially-drained pitch came Turkey substitutes Semih and Mehmet Topal. Semih's appearance was an understandable statement of attacking intent, and Turkey bravely continued with their short passing game in tough conditions. That enterprise was rewarded when Nihat sent in a superb looping cross from the left and Semih rose to head in. Switzerland responded well and it took a sliding block from Hakan Balta to deny Yakin.
Exciting finish
Johan Vonlanthen was introduced by Switzerland coach Köbi Kuhn and proved a lively presence, sliding a neat pass which Inler turned just wide, while at the other end Tuncay supplied an inviting cross which just eluded Nihat's reach. In an open finish to the game either side could have won – Volkan pulled off a great double save from Ricardo Cabanas, another Swiss substitute, and Inler, and that proved invaluable when Arda set off on a run and his strike from the edge of the box flew in off the devastated Patrick Müller.
Ronaldo show shatters CzechsCZECH REPUBLICSionko 17
1-3
PORTUGALDeco 8,
Cristiano Ronaldo 63,
Quaresma 90+1
Cristiano Ronaldo scored one goal and set up two more to put Portugal on the brink of the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ after a 3-1 win over Group A rivals Czech Republic at the Stade de Genève.
Low shot
Deco had given Portugal an eighth-minute lead after good work from Ronaldo before Libor Sionko's thumping header levelled proceedings. However, Ronaldo turned on the style in the second half, providing a sublime finish from the edge of the area in the 63rd minute before supplying Ricardo Quaresma to round things off in added time. The win, which leaves Portugal top of Group A with six points, will almost certainly ensure them a last-eight place but it leaves the Czechs with a nervous finish in their final group game against Turkey on Sunday.
Baroš return
While Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari kept faith with the same XI that served him so well in the opener against Turkey, his Czech counterpart, Karel Brückner, dropped Jan Koller in favour of Milan Baroš, top scorer at UEFA EURO 2004™, and elected not to give Václav Svěrkoš the chance to shine from the start despite his winning strike against the Swiss. The Czechs may have registered the first shot on goal after Sionko's mazy run, but it was the Portuguese who delivered the first telling blow with just eight minutes on the clock. The ever-menacing Ronaldo escaped the clutches of his marker down the left side before a swift one-two with Nuno Gomes left the Manchester United FC winger with just Petr Čech to beat. The Czech goalkeeper somehow foiled Ronaldo's effort to waltz around him but the ball fell invitingly for Deco to slot home at the second attempt from close range, giving Scolari's men the perfect start.
Thunderous header
The Czechs, who had clearly targeted Paulo Ferreira as Portugal's weak link down the right, sought an instant response through Marek Jankulovski but, after cleverly making space for himself, he could only send his long-range effort wide of Ricardo's post. The game was developing into an absorbing contest played at a breathtaking pace and it came as no surprise when the Czechs restored parity in the 18th minute. Jaroslav Plašil was the architect, swinging in a vicious corner and Sionko, who had been at the heart of almost every Czech attack, powered a diving header beyond the despairing dive of Ricardo.
Ronaldo rocket
The merits of hard work and a deft touch were apparent in both midfields with Petit always assured on the ball and the Czech trio working tirelessly to close down Portugal's wing quartet whenever they looked threatening. Although Ronaldo had three efforts on goal before the interval, Portugal evidently emerged from their half-time team talk with renewed vigour. First Nuno Gomes, anonymous to that point, had two efforts in quick succession before Scolari's team regained the lead through a combination of young legs and an older head. After wave upon wave of Portuguese attacks, the ball fell to Deco on the right of the area and he weighted his pass perfectly for Ronaldo to supply the smooth finish with a right-foot shot into the bottom left-hand corner of Čech's goal from the edge of the area. It was his 46th goal of an incredible season.
Quaresma slots home
The Czechs threw everything at Portugal in the closing stages but could not find their way past Ricardo and a resolute Portuguese defence and in the final minute, with the entire Czech team committed to an attack, Ronaldo raced clear before squaring to Quaresma who slotted the ball home to complete the victory and put Portugal within touching distance of the last eight.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Sweden hand holders reality checkGREECE
0-2
SWEDEN
Ibrahimović 67, Hansson 72
Holders Greece already have a fight on their hands to maintain their grip on the trophy they won so memorably four years ago after second-half goals from Zlatan Ibrahimović and Petter Hansson gave Sweden all three points in their opening Group D match in Salzburg.
On the back foot
Otto Rehhagel's side were always on the back foot as they relied on the tactics that had served them so well in Portugal, defending deeply and looking for opportunities to threaten on the counterattack. For all their territorial dominance, however, Sweden were unable to pick a way through a characteristically displined Greece defence, until a moment of inspiration from Ibrahimović who – with his first international goal since October 2005 – broke the deadlock in the 67th minute. Hansson added a second five minutes later to leave Greece with plenty to ponder before Saturday's meeting with Russia.
Set-pieces
Sweden coach Lars Lagerbäck had warned repeatedly in the build-up of the danger posed by Greece from set-pieces, yet within three minutes his own team had proved they were not to be underestimated in that department either – Hansson heading across goal from a right-wing corner. Ibrahimović and Fredrik Ljungberg, back after knee and rib injuries respectively, then nearly combined to good effect before Anders Svensson thumped a first-time left-foot volley just past the post from 25 metres.
Larsson involved
Having again reversed his decision to retire from national-team football for this tournament, Henrik Larsson produced an unusually quiet opening half-hour, but burst into life by unselfishly passing up two shooting opportunities by trying to find Ibrahimović. On each occasion the menace was snuffed out, although the FC Internazionale Milano forward then landed an improvised header on the roof of Antonis Nikopolidis's net. Greece had barely threatened their opponents' goal with the notable exception of a fine early run past three defenders from the 2004 final match-winner, Angelos Charisteas. His burst ended disappointingly with a low shot straight at Andreas Isaksson, who then reacted smartly to keep out an Angelos Basinas effort from distance on the stroke of half-time.
Greeks sit back
The pattern remained much the same in the second period, with Greece largely content to sit back and soak up pressure. That plan might have come undone within three minutes of the restart, Niclas Alexandersson lifting a pass over the defence for Christian Wilhelmsson on the right after Greece had half-cleared a corner. The midfielder beat Nikopolidis to the ball but his shot was too high. While happy to let their opponents make the running, the set-piece delivery of Greece's Giorgos Karagounis prompted several uncomfortable moments and the midfielder wasted a presentable opening himself just past the hour, twice firing straight at defenders with Sweden exposed.
Ibrahimović inspiration
There was soon more discomfort for the Scandinavians as Hansson inadvertently headed a Traianos Dellas cross just past his own post – yet within seconds Sweden were ahead. Ibrahimović, without a goal for his country in his 13 previous games, exchanged passes with Larsson and thumped an unstoppable drive beyond Nikopolidis from the edge of the box. That was the first time Greece's defence had been breached in 425 minutes of EURO finals action but they soon conceded a messy second. Nikopolidis saved from Ljungberg but the ball looped into the air for Hansson to scramble it in at the far post. Sweden were always in control thereafter, although the night ended on a note of concern as Wilhelmsson limped off with a heavily strapped left thigh.
Villa stars as Spain signal intentSPAIN
Villa 20, 44, 75, Fàbregas 90+1
4-1
RUSSIA
Pavlyuchenko 86
A scintillating hat-trick from David Villa gave Spain a clear-cut 4-1 victory over Russia in their first outing at UEFA EURO 2008™ and confirmed the immense power of the Valencia CF striker's partnership with Fernando Torres.
Thrilling matchIn a high-quality Group D encounter, Russia provided moments to indicate that Luis Aragonés's side may still be vulnerable at the back and gained consolation with Roman Pavlyuchenko's 85th minute header. But Villa's second goal, in particular, was a stunning team move which may already be one of the goals of the tournament. Only the seventh player in this tournament's history to score three in a game, the 26-year-old's treble is the first since Patrick Kluivert's against Yugoslavia eight years ago. Villa then utterly stamped his class on the match, crossing for Xavi Hernández to volley and substitute Cesc Fabregas to head in the fourth in stoppage time.
Unerring finishTorres has always asked for quick supply of the ball at international level and in the 20th minute he got it. Courtesy of a Joan Capdevila interception and a notable right-footed pass from the left-back, the Liverpool FC striker was left one on one with his marker. Torres used good upper body strength to put Denis Kolodin under immense pressure and when the Spaniard skipped clear he allowed Igor Akinfeev to try and dive at his feet before slipping the ball to the right, into the path of Villa who finished unerringly. Such was the drama of the match that within seconds Russia nearly equalised. Their love of overlapping full-back play had already caused havoc in the jumpy Spain back line, but instead of Aleksandr Anyukov this time it was Dmitri Sychev whose right-wing cross drifted, agonisingly, across Carles Puyol, Marcos Senna and even Iniesta before Zyryanov cracked the ball off the post.
Second goalInstead of daunting Spain it seemed as if the players in red took their luck as an indication that this was their night. Within six minutes of Villa's first goal, he and Torres had created three clear goal chances - two of which needed smart blocks by Akinfeev. Russia, for their part, were fighting like terriers to impose themselves, repeatedly catching Andrés Iniesta in possession, and Roman Pavlyuchenko even hit the bar with a left-footed shot though referee Konrad Plautz had already called a foul. Villa closed a sparkling 45 minutes with Spain's second, however, following a brilliant move. Zyryanov attempted an ambitious pass across the Spanish box and David Silva ran to retrieve it. The lightning-quick passing movement through Silva, Capdevila and Iniesta left Villa sprinting into the box where he slipped the ball between Akinfeev's legs.
Russian responseThe introduction of Vladimir Bystrov for Sychev made an impact as Russia sought a way back. Guus Hiddink's team pushed forward relentlessly and Bystrov's header from Zyryanov's cross in the 51st minute brought Iker Casillas into action before Diniyar Bilyaletdinov shot narrowly wide eight minutes later. However, Spain were irrepressible. Fabregas came on for Torres as Aragonés sought to rest his striker and give the Arsenal FC man a taste of the action. Villa almost had his hat-trick in the 66th minute but was prevented by a superb Anyukov tackle, yet the Valencia CF striker did not have to wait much longer. With 15 minutes left, he turned Shirokov inside out and finished expertly with his right foot. It was just that Russia's commitment to attack won some reward. Zyryanov, culpable for the second goal but Hiddink's best player on the night, took a corner which Shirokov nodded on and Pavlyuchenko headed in at the back post. Even then Villa had the last word, creating Spain's fourth and Fabregas's first for his country.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Slick Dutch stun world championsNETHERLANDS
Van Nistelrooy 26, Sneijder 31, Van Bronckhorst 79
3-0
ITALY
The Netherlands ended a 30-year wait for a victory over Italy in emphatic fashion as they began their Group C campaign with a rousing 3-0 victory against the world champions in Berne.
Worst EURO defeat
Ruud van Nistelrooy side-footed the Oranje ahead in the 26th minute, a lead doubled superbly by his Real Madrid CF colleague Wesley Sneijder soon after. Edwin van der Sar, becoming only the third player to appear in four UEFA European Championships, then kept the advantage intact, leaving Giovanni van Bronckhorst to complete the scoring with a headed third in the 79th minute. The Netherlands can now look forward with confidence to Friday's meeting with France, while Italy must pick themselves up from a worst-ever EURO defeat when they face Romania.
Dutch dominant
The early skirmishes gave scant indication of what was to come. Andrea Pirlo dispossessed Giovanni van Bronckhorst with an exquisite tackle and freed Antonio Di Natale but his pass lacked the precision to pick out Luca Toni. The FC Bayern München striker did get a glimpse of goal in the 12th minute, rising to flick a header wide from an equally promising position, yet that was about as close as the world champions got in a first half subsequently dominated by Marco van Basten's side. Dirk Kuyt, ever willing on the right flank, outmuscled Gianluca Zambrotta in the 18th minute and slipped a delicious low pass to Van Nistelrooy who touched it beyond Gianluigi Buffon but stayed on his feet after making contact with the Italy captain. That was the last act of charity from the Dutch, as Roberto Donadoni's team paid for the concession of a number of free-kicks on the periphery of their area.
Opening goal
Sneijder first fizzed one set-piece in from the left which Marco Materazzi headed clear. Then Rafael van der Vaart did likewise from the right, the scrambling Buffon's punched clearance eventually reaching birthday boy Sneijder whose powerful drive from the corner of the box was side-footed in by Van Nistelrooy as the Azzurri defence appealed for offside. Italy went close to levelling from an inswinging corner five minutes later yet were caught flat-footed in the 31st minute when Van Bronckhorst, who had cleared off the line, was able to charge half the length of the field unchallenged.
Probing Sneijder
The Feyenoord man took advantage of the time afforded him, pinging a perfect crossfield ball to Kuyt whose cushioned header was spectacularly hooked inside Buffon's near post by the leaping Sneijder. Italy's three-man midfield of Gennaro Gattuso, Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini could not contain Sneijder as he probed the left side, creating space for Van Bronckhorst. The full-back who was able all too easily to dissect an Azzurri back line missing injured captain Fabio Cannavaro with a pass which released Van Nistelrooy on goal. Buffon stood tall, however, clipping the shot over with his feet.
Van der Sar saves
Italy sought a way back into the match after the break. Substitute Alessandro Del Piero failed to take advantage of two half-chances before Toni lofted a shot over when free on the penalty spot on 76 minutes. Van der Sar then foiled Fabio Grosso before diving at full stretch to keep out a Pirlo free-kick, leaving Van Bronckhorst to wrap things up at the other end following smart work by Kuyt. The last time the Netherlands beat Italy they went on to reach the 1978 FIFA World Cup final, something they will hope is a lucky omen as they look to claim a first European crown since their coach volleyed them to glory in 1988.
Canny Romania leave France frustratedROMANIA
0-0
FRANCE
Romania made a promising start to their UEFA EURO 2008™ campaign, holding one of the tournament favourites, France, to a goalless draw at the Letzigrund Stadion in Group C.
Anelka chance
Victor Piţurcă's side, appearing in their first major finals for eight years, restricted Les Bleus to a handful of half-chances as the two-time European champions struggled to impose their quality on proceedings. Nicolas Anelka was guilty of missing the game's clearest opportunity when he headed Franck Ribéry's cross over in the first half, but with Thierry Henry confined to the substitutes' bench, Raymond Domenech's men lacked a cutting edge and rarely put the well-organised Romanians in serious difficulty.
Cagey start
These teams boasted two of the meanest defensive records in qualifying and from the opening exchanges it was obvious the contest would be tight. France monopolised possession early on yet rarely threatened Bogdan Lobonţ's goal as Mirel Rădoi, Răzvan Cociş and Cristian Chivu tenaciously closed down space in front of their back four. With Henry still not fully fit, Anelka and Karim Benzema started in attack for the first time, and both fired in wayward shots during a cagey first ten minutes.
Instant response
Daniel Niculae had been given the task of leading Romania's front line on his own and succeeded in posing problems to Lilian Thuram and William Gallas. In the 16th minute, the striker, who plays in France with AJ Auxerre, might have done better than drag his shot wide after Adrian Mutu's deft knockdown. The French response was instant, though, Claude Makelele releasing Florent Malouda through the middle, only for Lobonţ to sprint off his line and deny the Chelsea FC winger.
Frustration
That would prove the only time the pacy France forwards got in behind Romania's canny defenders. Ribéry and Benzema began interchanging positions without much joy, although the FC Bayern München playmaker did lay on a golden chance for Anelka on 33 minutes. After playing a corner short, Ribéry's cross found the Chelsea striker unmarked but he headed over. Anelka vented his frustration four minutes later by blasting into the side-netting from an impossible angle, as Benzema's calls for a cross went unanswered.
Mutu free-kick
Both sides began the second period in more attack-minded fashion. Malouda was the first to threaten, bursting past Cosmin Contra but shooting over the crossbar, before Romania enjoyed their best spell. Chivu's influence was growing and when his slide-rule pass found Mutu, the ACF Fiorentina player was felled by Willy Sagnol on the edge of the box. But as the France fans held their breath, Mutu directed his free-kick disappointingly into the wall.
Vocal fans
Despite the attempts of the vocal Romanian supporters to suck the ball towards Grégory Coupet's goal, Les Bleus finished in the ascendancy. Ribéry's low centre from the right reached Benzema unmarked just inside the penalty area but his first-time shot was straight at Lobonţ on 57 minutes. The Lyon youngster then miscued another right-footed attempt after latching on to Anelka's header. Bafétimbi Gomis and Samir Nasri were introduced for the closing stages, yet neither succeeded in making inroads, as Romania held firm until the very end.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Podolski double gets Germany goingGERMANY
Podolski 20, 72
2-0
POLAND
Polish links
The FC Bayern München striker, a man with strong Polish connections, produced a vintage display as the three-time European champions recorded a solid win, putting Germany in front with a simple finish midway through the first half. Poland, in their first final tournament match, pressed for a way back into the game but struggled to unpick the German defence and Podolski finally ended their hopes with an emphatic volley 18 minutes from time.
Krzynówek chance
With national pride and neighbourly rivalry adding an extra frisson and both sides keen to get off to a positive start there was plenty at stake, and it was Poland who made the brighter opening as they went in search of their first victory against Germany. Leo Beenhakker's side came close in the opening minute when Jens Lehmann got tangled up with Per Mertsacker while trying to deal with a high cross and the ball fell invitingly to Jacek Krzynówek, but the VfL Wolfsburg midfielder blazed over.
Gómez goes close
Germany responded in kind to signal their own intent, and should have opened the scoring after Michael Ballack sprang the Polish offside trap in to release Miroslav Klose into an ocean of space on the left. The Polish-born striker bore down on Artur Boruc's goal but instead elected to pass and Mario Gómez was unable to make a proper connection at full stretch with the goalkeeper stranded, the ball slipping narrowly the wrong side of the post.
Podolski opener
Germany began to look the stronger as the first half unfolded and duly went in front in the 20th minute after again catching their opponents flat-footed at the back. Gómez sent Klose clear on the right and this time the square pass was perfect delivered, leaving Podolski to tuck the ball neatly past Boruc. Head bowed and unsmiling, the Polish-born scorer denied himself a true celebration out of respect for his heritage. Maciej Żurawski might have levelled while Gómez could have increased the German advantage with a clever flick, yet half-time came with no change to the scoreline.
Poland rally
Ballack could have strengthened Germany's position two minutes into the second half but his attempt skewed awkwardly off his thigh. Poland were far from out of it, however, maintaining a healthy share of possession without making significant inroads with their supporters behind the goal providing plenty of encouragement. Those fans were further heartened as substitute Roger Guerreiro made some surging runs down the left, while Euzebiusz Smolarek had an effort ruled out for offside.
Clinching second
The alert Boruc then tipped over Ballack's well-struck effort, but he was powerless to prevent Podoski sealing the points in the 72nd minute – few goalkeepers would have kept it out. A swift passing move was cut off lby Paweł Golański yet substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger dispossessed the defender and, although Klose missed his kick, Podolski showed how it should be done with a sweet left-foot volley. This time he allowed himself a satisfied smile and he was fully entitled to it having given Germany their first finals win since the Czech Republic were defeated in the EURO '96™ showpiece. Poland's long wait to overcome Germany continues but they next face co-hosts Austria on Thursday, when Germany play today's other winners Croatia.
http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match=300685/report=rp.htmlAUSTRIA
0-1
CROATIA
Modrić 4 (pen)
Austria went the same way as co-hosts Switzerland, opening their UEFA EURO 2008™ challenge with a narrow defeat as Luka Modrić's early penalty gave Croatia victory in Vienna.
Fastest penalty
The midfielder scored the only goal of the first Group B game in the fourth minute, driving in after Ivica Olić had been brought down by René Aufhauser – the fastest penalty converted in the history of the finals. The home side took time to find their feet after that setback, but mounted a stirring late charge with substitute Roman Kienast heading centimetres past the post seconds before the whistle.
Dreadful start
Coach Josef Hickersberger ended the goalkeeper conundrum by selecting Jürgen Macho ahead of Alex Manninger but, with three minutes and 35 seconds on the clock, the Austria No21 was forced to pick the ball out of the net following the worst of starts. Modrić showed outstanding control to keep an attack alive down the left and found Olić, who was blocked by Aufhauser as he attempted to go outside the midfielder. Modrić slotted in the spot-kick with aplomb, driving down the centre of goal with Macho diving to his right.
Set-piece threat
With an entire nation having worked themselves into a fever of anticipation, it was a blow that could have shattered Austrian morale. For Slaven Bilić's men, meanwhile, the immediate breakthrough settled Croatian nerves and there was an assured control about their football. The home team looked vulnerable every time Croatia forced a set-piece, Darijo Srna's delivery proving impeccable. It left Martin Stranzl and company overworked and little was happening at the other end to lift local spirits, although Sebastian Prödl shot wide from distance with Stipe Pletikosa watching it all the way. The Austria defender then rose highest to meet a corner but his effort flew beyond the far upright.
Austria regroup
After Mladen Petrić had rushed a volley, sending the ball off target, Austria finally began to assert themselves and proved they could get behind the Croatia back line. Martin Harnik gathered a ball played incisively inside the full-back and his cut-back prompted some hurried defensive measures from Josip Šimunić before a long diagonal pass found Joachim Standfest, who could not place his header on target.
Harnik outlet
Austria kicked off the second half where they had left off with Harnik, a focal point for their progress down the right, bursting beyond his marker and it was unfortunate Aufhauser could not connect with the hard-driven centre. From a similar position moments later, Harnik put too much power into his cross and the chance went begging. Perhaps inspired, Modrić went on a right-sided excursion of his own, and Stranzl had to call on all his experience to avert the danger. Austria then brought on the championship's oldest player, the 38-year-old Ivica Vastic, in a bid to rescue the situation.
Late flurry
With another substitute, Ümit Korkmaz, adding a vital spark, Austria threw everything at Croatia in a rousing finale, Harnik shooting too high when well-placed and Pletikosa almost fumbling a Vastic header. The Croatia goalkeeper then had to push aside Korkmaz's fierce drive but he was a spectator in added time as Kienast met a left-wing free-kick with a header that flew just wide as Austria's last chance went begging. Croatia continue their campaign against Germany in Klagenfurt on Thursday, when Austria will hope for better fortune against Poland in this stadium.
http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match=300684/index.html
