Group B

An early goal was enough to give Croatia a win against co-hosts Austria. Croatia were awarded a penalty which Luca Modric drilled straight down the middle to give the visitors a 4th minutes lead, but as the match grew older Croatia's lack of appetite gave Austria hope. Vastic tested Pletikosa with a powerful header from the edge of the area in the 79th minute, and the Croatian keeper dived to push away a fierce shot from Korkmaz with 4 minutes remaining. (Austria 0 Croatia 1)

Germany made a winning start to their Euro 2008 campaign thanks to a brace from Lukas Podolski against the country of his birth. The Germans came close in the 4th minute when Klose found himself free on goal but decided to pass to Gomez whose outstretched leg could not make contact with the ball. But in the 20th minute Klose once again broke free, this time to find Podolski for a tap in. Boruc made a brilliant fingertip save to deny Ballack in the 70th minute, but 2 minutes later a mis-hit ball from Klose fell to Podolski who smashed it home with conviction. Poland had brief spells but never looked like denying Germany a winning start. (Germany 2 Poland 0)