CROATIA 2, GERMANY 1
This tournament hasn't lacked for the unexpected. You've got Holland taking off their wooden shoes and beating the Italians mercilessly with them, and Romania sucking the blood out of France for a 0-0 draw.
Now you can add this match to the list. Germany entered this tournament as the odds-on favorite, but it was Croatia that was the better side on this day. They opened the scoring in the 24th minute when midfielder Dario Srna showed he has as much regard for Germany's defense as he does vowels in his last name, slipping behind the defense behind a beautiful cross and converting to make it 1-0.
Ivica Olic made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute, drilling home a rebound that caromed off the post. Lukas Podolski scored his third goal of the tournament to bring Germany within a goal late in the game, but by then there was nothing left for the Germans to do besides lock themselves in their bunker with their dog and their mistress and end it all, as Croatia made off with a stunning 2-1 victory.
AUSTRIA 1, POLAND 1
Poland led this game 1-0, before a controversial penalty was called in extra time, giving Austria a PK that tied it at 1, and the game finished that way.
Poland is very upset about this penalty.The Polish Prime Minister summed up his feelings by saying, 'As the prime minister I have to be balanced and collected. But last night I was speaking very differently about the whole thing, I wanted to kill (the referee)." It's been a rough 500 years or so for Poland, so I guess that's understandable.
As for Austria, they were supposed to lose every game in this tournament 20-0, but they've been OK so far. They can actually advance to the second round with a win over Germany. But the Germans are angry now after their defeat. And we all know if there's one thing we can all count on Austria for, it's to capitulate to an angry, recently defeated Germany without a fight.
GROUP B STANDINGS
Croatia 6 PTS
Germany 3
Austria 1
Poland 1
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