Germany and Croatia through to quarterfinals
Germany got the win they needed, and a German-born player got the start he craved on Monday at Euro 2008.
The three-time champions Germany beat host nation Austria 1-0 in Vienna to ensure they will play in the quarterfinals, getting a 49th-minute goal from Michael Ballack at Ernst Happel Stadium.
Germany will next face Portugal on Thursday in Basel.
Ivan Klasnic, who plays for Croatia but was born in Germany, started for his team and scored the lone goal in Croatia’s 1-0 win over Poland in Klagenfurt.
Klasnic is the first player ever to take part at the European Championships after a kidney transplant, and his goal kept the team’s record intact with three straight wins ahead of Friday’s quarterfinal match against Turkey in Vienna.
On Tuesday, World Cup finalists Italy and France play in Group C, with both trying to join the Netherlands in the next round. The Dutch team face Romania, who will advance with a win.
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