By Anna Italia
Covering the UEFA EURO 2008 from an Italian Perspective
Click here  to find everything about the UEFA EURO 2008 Italian National Team


  Not only Crroatia beat Poland, but also pass to the next round as Group Leaders
                                             winning all their 3 matches!!!!

                        Poland  0 - 1 Croatia
                                                                                    51' Ivan Klasnic

UEFA EURO 2008 Group B Table / Standings	Pld	+/-	Pts
Croatia	3	3	9
Germany	3	2	6
Austria	3	-2	1
Poland	3	-3	1

Croatia made it to the next round!

Congrats to our 3 players from the Italian Serie A playing for Croatia:

Milan Defender Dario Simic, Livorno Defender Dario Knezevic, and Parma Forward Igor Budan.  Though, for the next season Livorno and Parma were relegated to the Serie B.

A great performance from Croatia winning all three matches.  We are all proud for our players!

                          Dario Simic                          Dario Knezevic                       Igor Budan
                     

Croatia and Milan defender Dario Simic played the complete match.   Knezevic substituted in the 27th minute, and Budan was among the substitutes not used.

In the 23rd minute, Croatia and Livorno defender Dario Knezevic is injured after a tackle.  A clash between Croatian Goalkeeper Vedran Runje trying to clear and unintentionally injuring his teammate  Knezevic. Despite having treatment, our Knezevic could not continue and substituted in the 27th minute by Corluka.
 

Buy your Official Croatia Gear Today. (Jersey, Caps, Balls, etc) Click Here for your Croatia Football / Soccer Gear.

In the 45th minute, Klasnic had the chance of his life when found one on one with Poland goalkeeper Boruc. Klasnic shoots but Boruc said "No way Jose."   Just few minutes later, Klasnic got his revenge....

Here is match report and the video with the highlights from the EURO 2008 Match Poland - Croatia.  It lasts 5 minutes.

In the 51st minute, Ivan Klasnic gets an assist from Pranjic and made the miracle for Croatia whehe blasts Poland goalkeeper Boruc after fooling him!   Just an amazing moment for all Croatians dreaming to make it to the next round, and they did!!!!  
Poland 0 - 1 Croatia



LINEUPS

UEFA EURO 2008 Tournament in Austria and Switzerland Group B Poland 0 - 1 Croatia Monday, June 16, 2008
Poland		Croatia
0	Goals		1
20(7)	Shots (on Goal)		15(5)
23	Fouls		15
5	Corner Kicks		1
4	Offsides		2
50%	Ball Possession		50%
2	Yellow Cards		3
0	Red Cards		0
3	Saves		6

POLAND

Boruc, Wasilewski, Zewlakow, Dudka, Wawrzyniak, Lobodzinski, Murawski, Roger, Lewandowski, Krzynowek, Saganowski.

Subs: Kowalewski, Fabianski, Jop, Golanski, Bak, Smolarek, Gargula, Pazdan, Zahorski, Kokoszka.

CROATIA

Runje,  Dario Simic, Vejic, Dario Knezevic (26' Corluka), Pranjic, Leko, Vukojevic, Pokrivac, Rakitic, Klasnic, Petric.

Subs: Pletikosa, Galinovic, Simunic, Robert Kovac, Nico Kovac, Kalinic, Srna, Modric, Olic, Kranjcar, Igor Budan.