News Feature

Opening day joy for Croats

09 June 2008

Croatia got its European Championship run off to a winning start with a narrow victory over co-hosts Austria.

A fourth minute penalty by Luka Modric after Ivica Olic had been brought down in the box proved the difference between the two sides.

Despite the nervy victory coach Slaven Bilic was content with his players, although he admitted the occasion may have got to some of them.

He said after the match: "I turned on the CD player and said they should sing - because they won. In the first 35 minutes we played excellently, of course the early lead contributed to that.

"They exerted more pressure in the second half, and I'm sure that is not to do with a lack of strength from our players.

Meanwhile, around 10,000 ticketless Croats were among the fans who packed City Hall Square in Vienna to witness the win.

Javno.com reports there were also supporter gatherings in Josip Jelacic Square and Cvjetni Square in Zagreb as the capital's residents enjoyed the opening game win.

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