KLAGENFURT, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Germany and Croatia on Sunday smashed their rivals' dreams of creating history at the Group B matches of the 2008 European football championship. Poland-born German striker Lukas Podolski scored twice to help Germany beat Poland, which have long dreamed of winning a single match against their western neighbor, while Croatian midfielder Luka Modric's early penalty kick prolonged Austria's plan of winning a match at the European tournament.

In Vienna, Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria wanted a win for their opening match, also their first appearance in the European championship finals, but their plan was marred in the 4th minute of the match when the penalty cropped out.

The penalty gave Croatia a sweet early lead and the sole goal of the match.

Germany's soccer team pose together on the pitch before their Group B Euro 2008 soccer match against Poland at the Woerthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, June 8, 2008. Back row from L-R: Marcell Jansen, Christoph Metzelder, Mario Gomez, Jens Lehmann, Per Mertesacker, Michael Ballack, Miroslav Klose. Front row, from L-R: Lukas Podolski, Philipp Lahm, Torsten Frings, Clemens Fritz.

Austria recovered and had an opportunity to go level five minutes from the break as Martin Harnick got in round the back, drawing some last-ditch defending from Josip Simunic to prevent a tap-in.

Harnick, soul of Austria's attack, constantly threatened the Croatia's defence from the right as Austria went rampant after the restart.

【体坛英语资讯：Germany, Croatia smash rivals dreams at Euro 2008】相关文章：

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Madonna, Ritchie voted best-dressed celeb couple

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jackie Chan,Zhang Ziyi to sing for Olympic film

★ 体坛英语资讯：Austrian goalkeeper Payer to miss UEFA 2008 due to illness

★ 体坛英语资讯：Alonso and Hamilton wait on FIA hearings

★ 体坛英语资讯：China bows out with head held high

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Brad Pitt manager denies Jolie birth report

★ 体坛英语资讯：Sun hopes to shine again in doubles

★ 体坛英语资讯：Wang Nan still has something to prove

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Were Brangelinas twins the result of IVF?

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Ganis re-elected as head of academy handing out Oscar-awards