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DOUBLE WOE

/noticias.info/ Euro 2008's co-hosts both slumped to defeats on the first weekend of the tournament.

Switzerland suffered a 1-0 reverse to The Czech Republic in the opening game of the competition, whilst Austria lost by the same scoreline to Croatia in Vienna on Sunday.


Former Everton defender Slaven Bilic is the manager of the Croatian side and was delighted with the win - setting up a qualification decider against Germany in the second match of Group B thanks to Germany's 2-0 success against Poland.

Bilic said: "We had some more good chances but it is a pity we didn't get a second to kill the game off."

Tottenham new signing Luka Modric scored the goal that broke Austrian hearts from the penalty spot in the fourth minute.

In Klagenfurt, it was ironically Polish-born Lukas Podolski who scored both goals for Germany as the three-time champions won their first game at the Euro finals since beating the Czech Republic 2-1 in the 1996 final in London.Podolski, who hardly cheered after his two goals, said that he had two hearts beating in his body. "Of course I remain close to Poland. I was born there, have a large family, many of whom live there and I am sad if they lose."

Ahead of the game, police arrested some 150 German hooligans, who were screaming right-wing slogans at Polish fans. Police said they had been watching the hooligans for some time and had decided to intervene before the situation escalated.

French coach Raymond Domenech, meanwhile, may be forced to withdraw injured captain Patrick Vieira from his squad. Former Arsenal man Mathieu Flamini is lined up as his replacement. notas_de_prensa_archivo