Euro 2008: Austria 0-1 Germany (Full Match Report and Video)

Both teams went in to this game not knowing whether they would go through or not. Germany would get through with a draw, but Austria needed a win. Germany went in to this game missing Schweinsteiger after he foolishly got sent off in the last game against Croatia.

Germany started well, the men in white pressing on to the Austrian goal, keeping possession well and creating a couple of good opportunities where if the delivery had been a bit better they might have scored. The problem seemed to be that they were playing down the middle too much, when they should have tried to spread the ball wide.

Austria took control of the game after about twenty minutes, putting Germany under pressure for what was pretty much the rest of the first half. They had a couple of opportunities, and, unlike the Germans, were using the width well.

Although both teams played reasonably in their spells, Austria seemed to be on top, but the first half was fairly uninspiring and neither team created any opportunities where they should have scored.

In the second half the game immediately livened up and Germany were playing much better football. It was just four minutes after the second half started that Germany got a free kick and Chelsea midfield star Michael Ballack smashed the ball home from distance, leaving Macho, the Austrian goal keeper, with no chance.

As the game progressed Germany started to look more and more likely to win, with Austria only really getting ‘half chances’ and they failed to utilize these. Germany should have added a couple more goals to their tally, after good opportunities fell to Klose and Neuville, as well as a goal disallowed for off side, when it clearly wasn’t.

Overall a pretty poor game from both teams, and co hosts Austria leave the competition empty handed, although Germany will be happy they’re through.

Final Score:
Austria 0 – 1 Germany

Watch the GOAL:

1 comment June 17th, 2008