Austria - Croatia 0:1: Large heart fighters were insufficient

Austria was bubbling in the Prater Stadium too late into the tournament and only on the battle for the game. Aufhauser indebted already in the fourth minute the decisive Elfer, Luka Modric transformed.

Team boss Josef Hickersberger had before the duel with Croatia until shortly before kick-off not in the cards look, he finally took to a system that is not quite expect. It was a mixture of caution, safety and dose offensive - just as it probably also an outsider. The fans should be for the twelfth man, but the camps were divided. Just split the Croatian supporters were at least not in sub number. As for the vocal support within the Happel Stadium was held between the two camps are also balanced.

On the sidelines was from the beginning of euro maturity, there was no whistling in the hymns. Only the team of Josef Hickersberger had great difficulty in this tournament. The Croats left no doubt that they felt as a favorite. "We will control the game and dominate", had team boss Slaven Bilic on Saturday underlined yet. He could play safely on the strengths of his team. The Austrians would have caught up läuferischen area, "but football is not athletics."
Long sat deep shock

After only four minutes made a blackout by Rene Aufhauser the tactics of Josef Hickersberger unpredictable, the Salzburg players attacked the Croatian Olic Topstürmer so violent that referee Pieter Vink (Hol) even had no other choice than to penalties to decide. Feinmechaniker Modric was Juergen Macho, Austria's No. 1 back with the number 21, AEK Athens, no chance.

A shock, which sat deep. And at Emanuel Pogatetz, who was punished for criticising yellow, almost nervous through it. When the England Legionnaire Olic and after half an hour to the hair came in, even a threatened exclusion. The enormous skills of the enemy have apparently incensed Pogatetz, part of the team worked again like the rabbit in front of the snake.

After nearly 40 minutes, as fans already Ivica Vastic called erfingen is Ivanschitz and Co. "Now we're off," resonated through the Prater. The Austrians had found into the game and respect for the Croats stored.

Unverwundbar seemed the opponent is not that we had to employ him, he could not leave spaces and not the leather driving carelessly. Rotweißrot showed heart, took place on the fight comes into play. And once it succeeded, the opponents' goal dangerous to approach. After the break worked the space better, the holes in the midfield were smaller stages was the lot at once open to blows. "Compensation, compensation," was the desire of the fans.
Pletikosa a power

Josef Hickersberger half of the bank, the Einwechslung from Ivica Vastic was frenetically celebrated, including the rapid Ümit Korkmaz and Roman Kienast should help defeat yet. Suddenly wankten the Croats - they were under pressure, taumelten, but they were not. Because goalie Pletikosa failed to beat.