Minute by Minute: Austria - Croatia

Jonathan Roorda - 8 June 2008 17:18

After their win over England, Croatia will now look to impress against Austria

VIENNA (SW) - Day 2 of Euro 2008 kicked off with the Group B clash between Austria and Croatia. SoccerWay kept you up to date on the most important events.

Final score: <b>0-1</b>

More match information: <a href="http://www.soccerway.com/match/european-championships/austria/croatia/529744/">Here</a>.

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FULL TIME - And so both co-hosts of Euro 2008 lose their opening matches. Austria probably deserved an equaliser but weren't fortunate enough tonight. Croatia will be happy with their small win and earn their first three points.

Minute 90+3: The last chance for Austria, as a free kick is headed just past the right post by Kienast. Very close.

Minute 90+2: A late free kick for Austria is swung into the penalty area but the defenders clear.

Minute 89: Croatia are trying to control in midfield without taking big risks, in order to keep Austria away from their goal.

Minute 86: A good curved shot from Korkmaz but Pletikosa avoids the equaliser.

Minute 84: The Austrians want a penalty as they claim that Robert Kovac handled the ball but referee Vink disagrees.

Minute 82: Another corner kick for Austria, this time on the right side. But first a Croatian substitution with striker Olic coming off (slowly) for defensive midfielder Vukojevic.

Minute 81: It's cleared by the Croatian defense.

Minute 80: Corner kick to Austria on the left side.

Minute 79: Pletikosa almost helps the hosts a little as the goalkeeper has troubles controlling a header from Vastic.

Minute 78: Another attack from Austria ends with Harnik shooting over the crossbar with his weaker leg. Croatia can't be sure of victory yet!

Minute 78: The ball is punched away by Croatia's goalie Pletikosa.

Minute 77: Free kick just outside the penalty area on the left side to Austria, forced by Korkmaz.

Minute 76: Particularly Korkmaz's arrival seems to have inspired Austria. They could use that motivation as less than fifteen minutes are left in regular time to change this situation.

Minute 74: And the last substitution by Austria coach Hickersberger, with Linz leaving the scene for Kienast. On the other side, Petric just made way for Budan.

Minute 71: Ivanschitz has an attempt from outside the Croatian penalty area but the shot doesn't go anywhere near the goal.

Minute 69: Umit Korkmaz is the home side's second substitute and replaces Gercaliu.

Minute 68: Austria's third yellow card goes to Sebastian Prödl for a foul on Olic.

Minute 66: Although Croatia initially wanted a quick second goal, they slowed down significantly since then and now allow Austria to take more of the initiative.

Minute 61: Jürgen Säumel comes off the pitch and is replaced with number seven, Vastic. The Croatians make a change as well with Knezevic coming on for Kranjcar.

Minute 60: Srna's corner finds Niko Kovac who heads wide.

Minute 60: Almost an hour has been played in Vienna and Austria are still trailing. Croatia get a corner kick meanwhile.

Minute 58: Harnik again on the right wing, and this time he tries a powerful cross which is consequently missed by both attackers and defenders.

Minute 56: Chance for Austria as Harnik sends in a low cross from the right but Linz doesn't get his foot to the ball.

Minute 53: Standfest gets in the way as a cross from Corluka almost reaches Petric.

Minute 51: Another yellow card, now to Croatian Robert Kovak after a foul on Linz.

Minute 50: No real chances yet in the first five minutes of the second half, which began with the same 22 players as before the break.

Minute 46: The second half is underway.

HALF TIME - Croatia are leading at half time and were stronger in the first half hour of this match. Austria regained some confidence in the last phase and shouldn't be ruled out yet for the second half.

Minute 44: Croatia were with ten men on the pitch for a minute as Corluka seemed heard. The defender is back now.

Minute 42: Another chance for the Austrians as Standfest's header goes just wide and high.

Minute 41: Finally a good attack by the Austrians as a through-ball reaches Harnik who then sends a pass towards the goal but Simunic gets in the way. Austria are slowly waking up.

Minute 40: Good cross from defender Standfest but the goalkeeper clears.

Minute 38: Olic tries to find Srna with a through-ball but Ivanschitz remains focused and blocks the pass.

Minute 35: Petric gets a perfect opportunity to double Croatia's lead but the attacker doesn't stay calm and shoots well over the goal. Nobody was near him at this point.

Minute 32: Corner kick to Austria but Aufhauser's header lacks precision.

Minute 29: The free kick comes in low and is converted into a corner kick, which eventually comes to nothing.

Minute 29: Now a free kick to Croatia on the other end, just outside the penalty area and close to the goal line on the right side. Pogatetz is responsible for the free kick, having fouled Olic.

Minute 27: Austria get a free kick on the left wing, close to the goal line. Ivanschitz takes it and reaches Prödl, but the latter heads it wide of the far post.

Minute 24: Low distance shot from Aufhauser but no problem to the goalkeeper. Austria haven't been able to enter Croatia's penalty area so far.

Minute 21: Yellow card to Säumel for a foul on captain Kovac, and a dangerous free kick to Croatia but Srna hits the wall.

Minute 18: Prödl tries his luck from very far and although the ball doesn't end up too far away from the goal, it doesn't threaten goalkeeper Pletikosa.

Minute 16: Olic comes close to heading in from short range but just misses the ball.

Minute 15: Corner kick to Croatia, who keep pushing for another goal to really break Austria's resistance.

Minute 14: Chance for a second goal for the Croatians as an in swinging free kick from the right wing goes just past everybody and over the goal line.

Minute 12: The Austrians seem to be lacking the strength to react right after that opening goal from Modric. Definitely not the start the hosts were hoping for.

Minute 7: In the aftermath of Aufhauser's foul, teammate Pogatetz received a yellow card for protesting.

Minute 4: <b>GOAL CROATIA (0-1) - Luka Modric</b> scores the opening goal of this match by striking the ball right through the middle while goalkeeper Macho chooses a side.

Minute 3: PENALTY TO CROATIA - Aufhauser fouls Olic close to the goal line and referee Vink points to the penalty spot.

Kick-off: The match is underway in Vienna.

Pre-match: The teams enter the pitch and the anthems will be played. In a few minutes, the third match of this Euro 2008 will begin.

Pre-match: It's raining a little in Austria's capital city Vienna but the temperature isn't too bad at 22 degrees Celsius. The largest stadium of this tournament, the Ernst-Happel, is slowly filling up with fans from both sides but of course mostly Austrians, who are hoping to achieve a more positive result than co-hosts Switzerland last night.