Croatia rock Germany’s mighty Mannschaft
Croatia has stunned Germany 2-1 at the European football championships in Klagenfurt, Austria, taking control of Group B.
Croatia took the lead in the 24th minute after Danijel Pranjic swapped passes with former Basel player Ivan Rakitic. He then sent a cross over for Darijo Srna, who slid alongside Germany defender Marcell Jansen and scored past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.
Ivica Olic made it 2-0 in the 63rd after a shot from Rakitic on the right flank was deflected by Germany forward Lukas Podolski and bounced off the post right at Olic’s feet.
Podolski scored his third goal of the tournament in the 79th by sending a volley after a headed down ball from captain Michael Ballack hit a defender.
Germany was reduced to 10 men in injury time when Bastian Schweinsteiger was given the tournament’s first red card for pushing Croatian substitute Jerko Leko to the ground.
Euro 2008 is co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria.
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