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Poland 1 Austria 1 - Euro 2008 - Group B Goes to the Wire | Help spread the word: Share on Facebook 
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Poland were denied their first ever European finals victory in Vienna by a late Austrian penalty. Tom Hornsby reports on the result that leaves both teams' future in the competition in the balance.Poland were denied their first ever European finals victory in Vienna tonight after a late Austrian penalty left both sides with an outside chance of qualification. On paper, it was hardly a fixture that seemed capable of stirring the soul. Even the most seasoned of footballing aficionados would have struggled to name the majority of the players on show here. What a pleasant surprise then the ensuing 90 minutes would prove. After an admittedly dour opening ten minutes had threatened to perpetuate the myth, Austria began to assert control. Andreas Ivanschitz it seemed had taken particular responsibility to carry the hopes of his nation, shooting wherever and whenever the mood took him. Understandably for a man dubbed Austria’s answer to David Beckham, he had backed himself to score what would have been an outrageous free-kick. Needless to say, Artur Boruc proved equal to it. His team-mates were also fairing little better in front of goal. Twice Martin Harnik found himself with just Boruc to beat only for the goalkeeper to save well on both occasions. And after 15 minutes he was called into action again as this time Christoph Leitgeb raced through unmarked to find the Celtic stopper advancing rapidly to deny the Austrian’s a much deserved lead. It would prove a wake-up call the Polish had needed. Minutes later they fashioned their first meaningful opening before a sustained period of midfield possession had settled a fast and furious game. Austria continued to press, the confident Ivanschitz again blazing over from range. Unsurprisingly in a game of such wasteful finishing, it would take a Brazilian to break the deadlock. Roger Guerreiro might not be a name typically associated with the former Soviet Block but it was he who reacted fastest to Marek Saganowski’s ball across the six yard box to tap in his first goal for Poland on the half-hour mark. Just as in their opening group encounter with Croatia, the Austrian’s had been punished for squandering their chances and although they continued to press, Poland would go in leading at half time. But having done so much to entertain during the opening 45, both sides reverted to type for the beginning of the second. Not until the 62nd minute did either team produce enough quality to trouble their opposition with Jurgen Macho twice denying a Polish second in quick succession. He would be called upon again five minutes later to deflect a fizzing Jacek Krzynowek free-kick over the crossbar. By now it was all Poland and it said much of Austria’s attacking prowess that their best chance should come from a set-piece. Ivica Vastic might have replaced the wild Ivanschitz but he too had similarly misguided self-belief in his own ability as he fired aimlessly over from all of 35 yards. His chance to make amends would be swift though. With the clock approaching its third minute of injury time, referee Howard Webb saw enough of an infringement inside the Polish area to hand Austria a lifeline. Replays suggested contact had been minimal as a mass of bodies contested the high ball. Luckily, Vastic had paid less attention to Beckham’s penalty portfolio as he stepped up to smash the ball into the corner of Boruc’s net. A draw leaves both sides needing victory against their Group B opponents in the final round of matches if they hope to have any chance of progressing. On the evidence of tonight’s game, what they lack in quality will be more than compensated for in entertainment. Tom Hornsby Fancy writing for LiveFootball? Click here to find out more. |