Croatia surprises Germany in European Cup

Croatia stunned pretournament favorite Germany 2-1 Thursday, taking first place in Group B at the European Championship in Klagenfurt, Austria.

The Germans hardly looked the odds-on choice, often appearing confused on defense and sloppy on offense. And the Croats were unlucky not to score more often.

Croatia has 6 points and has won the group.

Croatia took the lead in the 24th minute after Danijel Pranjic swapped passes with Ivan Rakitic and then sent a cross for Darijo Srna. He slid just ahead of defender Marcell Jansen and scored past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

Ivica Olic made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute after a shot from Rakitic on the right flank was deflected by Germany forward Lukas Podolski and bounced off the post right at Olic's feet. Podolski scored his third goal of the tournament in the 79th.

Austria 1, Poland 1: Austria broke through in the closing moments of injury time to tie Poland on Ivica Vastic's penalty kick in Vienna. Mariusz Lewandowski pulled the shirt of Sebastian Proedl in the area on a free kick and the referee awarded the Austrians the penalty kick that Vastic sent to the goalkeeper's right.

Brazilian-born playmaker Roger Guerreiro gave Poland the lead by tapping in a 30th-minute cross from Marek Saganowski for his first international goal since he received Polish citizenship in April.

The tie meant Germany, Austria and Poland all have a chance to advance in the final group games on Monday.