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.

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