Klasnić completes Croatian clean sweep
June 16, 2008 at 9:44 pm | In Croatia | 1 CommentTags: Artur Boruc, Croatia, Danijel Pranjic, Dario Simic, Dariusz Dudka, Euzebiusz Smolarek, Ivan Klasnic, Ivan Rakitic, Jacek Bak, Klagenfurt, Leo Beenhakker, Mladen Petric, Roger Guerreiro, Tomasz Zahorski, Vedran Runje, Wojciech Lobodzinski, Worthersee Stadion
Croatia rested a host of players yet still proved too strong for Poland as they won 1-0 in Klagenfurt to finish on maximum points in Group B and confirm their opponents’ early exit.
Klasnić winner
Ivan Klasnić scored the winner early in the second half at the Wörthersee Stadion to end another defiant show from goalkeeper Artur Boruc and further boost Croatia’s confidence before they tackle Turkey in the quarter-finals on Friday. Poland’s slim qualifying hopes rested on at least a two-goal victory here and a win for Austria over Germany, and neither came off as Michael Ballack struck the only goal in Vienna.
Late blow strikes Saganowski hard
June 14, 2008 at 1:07 pm | In Poland | Leave a CommentTags: Artur Boruc, Austria, Josef Hickersberger, Leo Beenhakker, Marek Saganowski, Poland
Striker Marek Saganowski says coach Leo Beenhakker has a battle on his hands to raise Poland’s players for their Group B finale against Croatia after a disappointing finish against Austria.
Bleak
Poland endured serious pressure from Austria in the first 20 minutes in Vienna, with goalkeeper Artur Boruc making a number of saves to deny Josef Hickersberger’s side, before the game turned in Poland’s favour when Roger Guerreiro scored on 30 minutes. However, a stoppage-time penalty from Ivica Vastic earned the co-hosts a 1-1 draw and Poland now have a major battle on their hands to make the last 16. Leo Beenhakker’s team have one group match left, against Croatia in Klagenfurt on Monday, but Southampton FC forward Saganowski admits the mood in the camp is bleak.
Clouds hovering over Poland camp
June 13, 2008 at 8:36 pm | In Poland | Leave a CommentTags: Artur Boruc, Croatia, Leo Beenhakker, Poland
Poland have waited more than 40 years to make it to the finals of the UEFA European Championship but the mood in Leo Beenhakker’s camp now suggests that their campaign is over after only two matches.
Beenhakker bemused
The Biało-czerwoni were shattered by an equalising goal in injury time during Thursday’s Group B meeting with Austria in Vienna and, although they can still qualify for the quarter-finals if they win their final group game against Croatia, coach Beenhakker has effectively conceded that his side are going out.
Boruc depressed
The squad are also in a depressed mood. “We have a small chance now but it’s only a small chance,” said goalkeeper Artur Boruc. “It’s going to be very difficult in the final group game as Croatia have won both of their games and we have to go and play them. It’s a chance, but a very, very small one and it’s hard to raise ourselves after what happened in Vienna.”
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