Euro 2008 Day Two

[Newshound]

8 June 2008<br>
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GERMANY 2 (Podolski 20, Podolski 72)<br>
POLAND 0<br>
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Inside the first 30 seconds Germany's weak link Lehmann ran off his line to attack a cross and collided with Mertesacker fortunately Krzynowek's volley was way off target. Frings sent Klose clear on the break and with the goal at his mercy he centred to Gomez who made poor contact and missed the target. The duo combined for the opening goal. Gomez released Klose with a great pass with the outside of his foot, Klose ran into the box and this time his centre was converted - by Podolski. Poland's best spell of pressure came after Lewandowski sprayed a crossfield pass out wide to Krzynowek. The duo both have shots charged down before Jansen hurriedly cleared. Wasilewski released Lobodzinski and he got the break of a bounce off Jansen before pulling the ball back to Zurawski who dragged his shot wide of Lehmann's left post. A minute later the industrious Fritz vaulted over a Krzynowek sliding tackle on the left touchline, drove into the box and pulled the ball back to Gomez who again failed to hit the target.<br>
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Frings sent Lahm clear with an angled ball down the left channel, Lahm left his marker for dead and pulled the ball back to Ballack and his first time shot was brilliantly saved by Boruc. Schweinsteiger tackled Golanski as he tried to clear a through pass, Schweinsteiger passed to Klose, he completely misskicked slicing the ball up in the air but Podolski was on hand to slam a left foot volley into the top corner. Poland's Brazilian forward Guerrinski impressed when introduced as a second half substitute. His cross forced Lehmann into denying Saganowski at his near post.<br>
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Men of the Match : Podolski & Fritz<br>
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Attendance : 30,000<br>
Assists : Klose, Klose<br>
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AUSTRIA 0<br>
CROATIA 1 (Modric 4 Pen)<br>
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Modric showed great balance to hold off the giant Stranzl on the left of the penalty box and rolled a pass into Olic who went down theatrically after taking a kick from Aufhauser. Modric converted, sending the ball straight down the middle. Petric failed to take advantage of a poorly played offside trap, volleying Corluka's excellent cross into the stands. Pogatetz, who was booked for disputing the penalty decision, was lucky not see a second yellow after manhandling diver Olic who went down in a heap clutching his nose. Standfest spurned Austria's best chance of the half, heading wide a free kick.<br>
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The Austrian's got a grip on midfield following the second half introductions of Korkmaz, the middle aged Vastic and the lively Kienast but for all their possession Korkmaz was the only player to trouble Pletikosa with a curling shot from 25 yards.<br>
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Croatia owe their tag of dark horses due to the fact that, because they topped a qualifying group featuring England, journalists assumed they must be a good side. They're not. They were overrun in midfield by AUSTRIA.<br>
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Man of the Match : Kienast<br>
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Attendance : 50,000<br>
Assist : Olic (won pen)<br>

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