Euro 2008 Review – Valiant Austria Falls at Last Hurdle
Posted by evdomada on June 18, 2008
Germany captain Michael Ballack booked his side’s place in the UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-finals with a thunderous free-kick, ending the hopes of Austria despite a valiant effort from the co-hosts in Vienna.
To jump ahead of their opponents & take the second qualifying spot, Austria had to beat their neighbours Germany for the first time since they defeated West Germany in 1986. Not an easy feat to say the least.
The home team did enjoy long periods of possession but lacked the cutting edge upfront. Ballack settled the tight contest with his 49th minute clinical set piece. Coach Joachim Löw with Austria’s coach Josef Hickersberger were remarkably sent to the stands just before half-time. Low however can look forward to a quarter final showdown against Group A winners Portugal in Basel on Thursday.
Astonishingly, Mario Gómez mistimed his 5th minute shot at the unguarded net from Miroslav Klose that bypassed Austrian’s keeper Jürgen Macho, allowing György Garics to head his looping effort off the line. Gómez then drew a regulation save from Macho with a low drive, before Austria started their advance with Hoffer narrowly failing to control an Andreas Ivanschitz cross which would of left him clear. Austria nevertheless took confidence from the opening and enjoyed spells of sustained pressure, Jens Lehmann diving to his right to touch behind René Aufhauser’s low drive.
So much was at stake with tensions running high on and off the field, and following heated exchanges Hickersberger and Low were dismissed to the stands. But it was Germany who seemed less affected by their coach’s absence, however, and within four minutes of the second half Germany were ahead. Ivanschitz pulled down Lahm and Ballack exploited the defence, driving an unstoppable shot high into the net from 25 metres out.
Austria never lost heart and pushed on with Hoffer flashing a shot just wide of Lehmann’s goal and introducing three attacking players in the final half hour to pressure the German defence which at times seemed disjointed and disorganised. Yet Germany have won their last five meetings and at the final whistle celebrated reaching the last eight for the first time since 1996.
ZuZu@skylproductions.com
