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.

Duo retained
Poland needed goals so it was something of a surprise that Leo Beenhakker chose to omit Euzebiusz Smolarek, whose marksmanship played a big part in securing qualification to UEFA EURO 2008™ as group winners ahead of Portugal. The coach also left out defender Jacek Bąk who had been hoping to make his 97th appearance. As expected, Slaven Bilić made wholesale changes to the Croatia team with only two players retained from the starting XI who had conjured the famous victory over Germany.

Knežević injury
One of those was left-back Danijel Pranjić and when he made an early forward raid it left a gap which Poland were quick to exploit. Marek Saganowski headed on for Wojciech Łobodziński whose cross brought goalkeeper Vedran Runje out to clear, injuring Dario Knežević in the process. Although the right-back played on after treatment, he was eventually forced off in the 27th minute. By that stage Croatia were taking a firm grip on proceedings and only the brilliance of Boruc kept the score at 0-0. Mladen Petrić played Klasnić in but out came the Poland No1 to make another of those blocks that so frustrated Austria four days ago. From a difficult angle, Ivan Rakitić then found Boruc in the way as he attempted to clip the ball across into the area.

Klasnić goal
After a promising start in which Dariusz Dudka got up well to meet a corner only to place his header wide, Poland were largely on the back foot. On the stroke of half-time Boruc came to the rescue again after Klasnić had skilfully worked an opening. In the 53rd minute Klasnić at last got the better of him. The architect was Pranjić and when he picked out the striker in the penalty area, Klasnić stylishly whipped the ball back across Boruc and into the far corner. Despite the introduction of Smolarek, things remained relatively easy for Croatia’s defence with Dario Šimić, winning his 99th cap, also looking to attack from right-back when the opportunity presented itself.

Poland chances
A smart turn from Roger Guerreiro almost brought Poland back into the contest but he was narrowly wide of the mark. It was a rare moment of hope for the massed ranks of their supporters seated behind the Croatia goal, though another arrived soon after when Marcin Wasilewski’s header forced Runje to stretch. Bilić could afford to give Nikola Kalinić his first run-out at the tournament and only his second cap late on, although Poland did threaten parity when Smolarek fired just wide and substitute Tomasz Zahorski saw a great opening closed by the diving Runje.

Only 90 minutes may remain for Poland at their first UEFA European Championship so it is understandable when forward Marek Saganowski says they are desperate to deliver against Croatia in Klagenfurt.

Motivated
Leo Beenhakker’s side may have topped a qualifying group including Portugal and Serbia but they have struggled to repeat that form in the finals. After losing to Germany and drawing with Austria, the White and Reds go into Monday’s Group B finale needing both a win against the Croatians, and a favourable result in the other match in Vienna, to progress. “We have a hard game ahead but motivation won’t be a problem,” said the 29-year-old. “We play for ourselves, our families and our fans. We play for Poland so motivation is not a problem.

Uncertain fate
“Of course our situation is not great, because even if we win we’re not sure of making the quarter-finals,” he added. “We have to wait for the news from Vienna and that news has to be positive. We will try to play the best we can against Croatia. We want to win for ourselves and for our fans, then we’ll see what happens. But it is not all up to us, not completely in our hands. We accept that the Austria-Germany game will be just as important.

Out to impress
“It’s good for us that Croatia have already qualified,” continued the Southampton FC striker. “Their players know they’ll go into the quarter-finals and they will be a little less motivated. However, the players they bring in will be highly motivated because they will want to impress their coach and make it clear that they are good enough to be in the team for the quarter-finals.”

Form dipped
The question taxing observers in Poland has been why the team’s form, so impressive in qualifying, has dipped in Austria. “I don’t know why we haven’t played as we can,” said Saganowski. “You could say injuries have been a problem, like the one that ruled out [Jakub] ‘Kuba’ Błaszczykowski who had been our right-winger. Also, a lot of our players weren’t playing at the end of the season for their clubs. The fitness wasn’t quite there in our first match. But in the second half of our game against Austria. we showed we can play and deserve to be here.

High standard
“Things would have been different if we’d played as we did in qualifying, especially against Germany. But at the European Championship the best teams are there and the standard is much higher. By Monday night we may be out of the tournament but if that does happen, nothing will change. We’ll continue to work on being better players, on being a better team.”

Coach Leo Beenhakker is hoping Poland can sneak into the UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-finals “through the back door” as he prepares his players for Monday’s critical Group B clash with Croatia in Klagenfurt.

Tough predicament
The stakes for Poland could scarcely be higher when they take on Slaven Bilić’s men at the Wörthersee Stadion. While Croatia are already through to the quarter-finals as group winners, Beenhakker’s men lie fourth in the section after taking one point from their first two games. Their campaign will be over regardless of Monday’s result, however, should Germany beat Austria in Vienna in the other match. Beenhakker was philosophical, though, when asked to sum up his team’s predicament. “We have to put our effort into what we have in our hands,” said the Dutchman. “We can’t control events in Vienna. All I can do is plan with my players to try and get the win over Croatia. We are focusing on our task and then we have to hope things elsewhere go our way to qualify through the back door.”

Changes expected
Beenhakker said he expects his opposite number Bilić to rest some players for what is the first competitive international between the sides, but the 65-year-old insists that will not make his team’s task easier. “Croatia have a certain philosophy of playing and that will not change very much, no matter who is playing,” he said. “Positions and styles are more or less fixed, so it’s just a case of different players doing the jobs. I’m confident we have done our homework on every player in the squad of 23.” Regarding his own personnel, Beenhakker will again have do without captain Maciej Żurawski, who strained a thigh against Germany. Marek Saganowski should deputise in attack.

‘Strong desire’
Croatia are enjoying this competition so far, building on the 1-0 opening win against Austria with a stunning 2-1 victory over Germany – results which have left them with six points, three clear at the top of the group and assured of first place. Bilić confirmed that changes will be made to his lineup but maintains his players are fully motivated. “We can’t wait for the match to start. Our opponents are a great side but we have a strong desire to continue playing well and achieving good results,” said the 39-year-old. The Croatia players will wear black armbands out of respect for a 19-year-old Croatian fan who died tragically before the Germany game.

Croatian confidence
Bilić dismisses the notion that he will be fielding a weakened team, with one eye on the quarter-finals, adding that he has belief in his entire squad. “This will not be a reserve side,” he commented. “We have 23 players in all and there is no first team, second team or reserve team. I have no doubt whatsoever that my team can beat Poland, whatever team I put out. I have total respect for Poland but I also have confidence in my players.”

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.

Low morale
“It will be very hard to lift morale and confidence after what’s happened,” Saganowski told euro2008.com. “It will be difficult to make the quarter-finals now. We have to play Croatia and they will be high on confidence after beating Germany [2-1 to qualify for the quarter-finals as group winners]. It should be a good game but a very hard game for us. It is difficult to accept drawing a game this way. The UEFA European Championship is a big moment for the Polish nation and for the players who are here, and it’s a pity to finish the game with a penalty so late in the match. If Austria had scored in the first half when they had chances, it would have been fair enough, but it is hard to take when they score a goal in the way and at the time they did.”

In vain
The 29-year-old English-based attacker was one of three changes to the starting XI from Poland’s 2-0 opening defeat by Germany, and Saganowski contributed with the cross that set up Roger’s goal. “It was nice to play a part in the goal but it means nothing as we did not win,” he added. Poland captain Jacek Bąk sounded similarly disconsolate: “We drew the game and got a point but it feels like a defeat. We were in the lead for so long and were on our way to winning the game and giving ourselves a good chance of making the next stage, but now it’s going to be very difficult. We had a big chance to do well and go into the Croatia game with confidence, but now our confidence will be low and we have to work hard in training to get ready for Croatia.”

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.”