Euro 2008 - Day 2

Germany opened Euro 2008 with a solid 2-0 win over Poland behind a pair of goals from Lukas Podolski while Croatia rode a 4th minute penalty to victory over Austria.

Germany 2  Poland 0
A goal in each half from Polish-born Lukas Podolski was enough for pre-tournament favourites Germany to defeat Poland 2-0 in Euro 2008 Group B.  Germany were typically efficient without being spectacular but it was still too much for Leo Beenhakker's Poland. Podolski's strikes, the second of which was a wonderful volley, sent Joachim Low's men to the top of Group B after Croatia's 1-0 win over co-hosts Austria earlier in the day. Poland had a wonderful opportunity to take a surprise lead with less than a minute on the clock. Jens Lehmann and Per Mertesacker collided as they sought to deal with a high cross in the area with the German keeper only able to palm the ball down on the edge of the box. Jacek Krzynowek pounced on the loose bouncing ball but could not keep his first-time shot down and Germany escaped.  The Poles were obviously seeking to keep a high defensive line but the tactic got them into trouble on a number of occasions, the first of which came after only four minutes. Miroslav Klose beat the poorly-executed offside trap to go one-on-one with Artur Boruc but instead of taking the opportunity, the Bayern Munich striker tried to lay the ball off to Mario Gomez, who could only stab wide on the stretch with the goal gaping. Poland failed to heed their warning, and the German's were in front on 20 minutes. This time it was Gomez who escaped and his pass across goal found Polish-born Lukas Podolski who side-footed into the empty net.  Boruc was powerless to stop Germany doubling their lead in the 72nd minute. Pawel Golanski was caught in possession just outside the box by substitute Bastian Shweinsteiger and although Klose horribly missed his kick, the ball fell kindly to Podolski, who smashed a first-time volley into the top corner.

Croatia 1  Austria 0
Luka Modric's early penalty gave Croatia a hard-earned 1-0 victory over co-hosts Austria in the opening Euro 2008 Group B match in Vienna.  Croatia were made to work hard for their narrow victory as Austria, cheered on by a partisan home crowd at the Ernst Happel Stadion, recovered from a poor opening half-hour to push Slaven Bilic's men all the way to the final whistle.  Some Austrians petitioned for their side to withdraw from the tournament for fear of being embarrassed and when Croatia went ahead from the earliest penalty ever conceded in the European Championships, it seemed that they may have had a point.  The co-hosts' defender Rene Aufhauser bundled over Ivica Olic near the by-line in the third minute and Dutch referee Pieter Vink immediately pointed to the spot. Middlesbrough defender Emanuael Pogatetz was booked for his protests but Modric kept his cool, stepping up to send keeper Jurgen Macho the wrong way.