Abseits Guide to German Soccer

Austria - Germany 0:1 (0:0)


Match Number: 	805
Date:		16-June-2008
Location:	Vienna, Austria
Competition:	Euro 2008


AUSTRIA:
Macho
Garics, Stranzl, Hiden (55. Leitgeb), Pogatetz
Aufhauser (64. Säumel), Fuchs
Harnik (67. Kienast), Ivanschitz, Korkmaz
Hoffer

GERMANY:
Lehmann
A. Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm
Fritz (90. Borowski), Ballack, Frings, Podolski (83. Neuville)
Klose, Gomez (60. Hitzlsperger)

Scoring:
0:1 Ballack (49.)

Referee: Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain)
Yellow cards: Stranzl, Hoffer, Ivanschitz

Attendance: 51,428 (sold out)

No surprises today. Germany upended Austria 1-0 and in reality, were never really threatened. The Austrians actually played some pretty football, but when they got near the goal "dann waren Sie mit ihrem Latein am Ende". (i.e. "their Latin was finished"). Michael Ballack won the match early after half-time when he hammered in a free-kick from about 30 yards. Not an impressive German performance, but they got the job done to advance to the knockout round against Portugal. In the other match, a listless Poland lost 0-1 to Croatia, despite the latter having already clinched the group. Whereas everyone knew that the Austrians were weak, Poland was a major disappointment. They needed a win and hope that Austria pulled an upset, but they were never close. I think their highlight of their tournament will be their whining about Austria getting a last minute penalty. The Croats win all 3 matches and advance as group winner. Poland has to settle for group whiner.

Abseits Guide to German Soccer