Day 7

Croatia 2-1 Germany

For Croatia a performance that just about encompassed everything that the Sunday game against Austria was not. Comfortable, composed and confident Croatia was well organized and prepared to largely stifle the Germans attacking options.

Germany may have had the edge in play but it was Croatia that had the definite advantage in clear chances. With Kranjcar moving into a more central role Germany had trouble dealing with the numerical advantage that Croatia held in midfield.

Marcell Jansen underwent a torrid time at left back and his failure to deal with Pranjic’s cross (a reminder of how very few crosses we have seen so far in this tournament) saw Srna turning the ball in at the back post for the first goal. Not long after Kranjcar had another great chance but Lehmann pulled of####reat reaction save.

Not surprisingly Jansen was substituted at half time with Fritz dropping back to right back and Lahm switching sides. Impact player Odonkor came on ............but failed to make any impact. Croatia’s second goal (from Olic) seemed to have put the game well beyond Germany reach only for Podolski to score a cracker. The effect of the goal may have clouded how good a goal it actually was.

But with ten minutes left and their lead halved rather than panicking Croatians moved into what was their most impressive spell of the game. Playing in three and fours with one touch passing Croatia killed off the game and left only enough time for Bastian Schweinsteiger to get himself sent off.

Croatia within a hairs breadth of qualification and Germany now has to beat Austria and even then they may still have to keep fingers crossed.

Man of the match – Given a free role by Slaven Bilic Niko Kranjcar proved impossible for Germany to control.

Austria 1-1 Poland

It was a match that delivered much more in the way of incident and excitement than might have been expected. Austria came away with a share of the points after it looked as if their pressure – particularly in the first half – was again destined to deliver nothing. A point each keeps both countries in with a chance to advance but Austria could have had this one wrapped up in bows before thirty minutes was on the clock.

The Austrians streamed forward in waves with Korkmaz and Harnik raiding almost at will down the flanks. As the Polish defence went AWOL it was Artur Boruc vs. Austria. The Celtic keeper stymied Austria at least four times and he was the reason Poland was still in the game by the time they took the lead.

The goal came completely against the run of play as it so often does and it came from a Southampton-Brazil combo accompanied by a hint of offside. Southampton’s Marek Saganowski saw his “shot” find Brazilian import Roger Guerreiro who had no trouble from close in.

The goal took the sting out of Austria’s attack in as much as they stopped creating chances although still enjoyed the edge in possession. The second half lacked the cut and thrust from Austria as the Polish defence reasserted their position. Then with stoppage time minutes ticking down and a second Polish goal on the break looking more likely than goal from the co-hosts – finally a goal for Austria and from the penalty spot.

The old man of the tournament Ivica Vastic put his foot through the shot and the valiant Boruc went the wrong way.

Update – No group B tie breaker is possible. Croatia qualify as group winners and will play Turkey or the Czech Republic. Germany will join them with a win or a draw against Austria. An Austrian win combined with Poland not beating Croatia will put the co-hosts into the last eight. However, in order to finish second Poland needs to beat Croatia by a goal more than Austria beats Germany by. So Germany or Austria or Poland will play a rested Portugal.

Comment of the Day

"People often think coaches can predict results. Coaches are like you, they are very bad at giving predictions.” - Arsène Wenger

Tie Breaker

There seems to be a fair bit of confusion regarding the tie breaker rule for the group stage.

Excerpt Competition Regulations – 7.07 and 7.08
If two or more teams finish equal on points after all the group matches have been played, the following criteria will be applied to determine the ranking :

(a) Greater number of points obtained in the matches between the teams in question.

(b) Goal difference resulting from the matches between the teams in question (if more than two teams finish equal).

(c) Greater number of goals scored in the matches between the teams in question (if more than two teams finish equal).

(d) Goal difference in all the group matches.

(e) Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches.

(f) Coefficient of points from the last two qualifying competitions for the final rounds of the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008 (points gained and divided by the number of matches played).

(g) Fair Play conduct of the teams (final tournament).

(h) A drawing of lots by the Organizing Committee.

Criteria (a) to (h) above are not applicable under these circumstances :
If two teams meeting in one of the last group matches have the same number of points, the same goal difference and the same number of goals, and if this match stands at a draw at the end of normal time, then the ranking of these two teams will be determined by kicks from the penalty spot, provided no other teams within the group have the same number of points on completion of all group matches.

Coefficients and Ranking

Group A

No longer applicable - penalties if tied.

Group B

Croatia

Germany

Poland

Austria

Group C

Holland

Italy

Romania

France

Group D

Sweden

Spain

Greece

Russia