Croatia and Austria played the first game of the Group B Division before an audience of fifty thousand people in Austria. Since I was unable to listen to the game via the BBC on my Windows Media Player [taking into account that the BBC transmits these games to the domestic population], I listened to the French Language Station of Swiss Radio and Television in order to enjoy the game. I wanted to see if Croatia could continue its current course in football [soccer] that started in the World Cup 1998 after its victory over Germany. It was the victory of Croatia over Germany [compared with David killing Goliath] in 1998 that helped Croatia receive recognition in the football [soccer] world. Austria did not want to be far behind since they are the host country. In fact, Arnold Schwarzenegger once started as a football [soccer] player before changing to weight lifting, and immigrating to California.

Croatia started the game well with a goal within four minutes by Luca Medic. Unfortunately for Croatia, it was more like attempting to maintain its one goal advantage. It would have been better for Croatia if Eduardo Ad Silva would have been able to participate but his injuries prevented him from doing so. Croatia lacked coordination and discipline accompanied by the inability to take advantage of the errors of the Austrian Team. Croatia had its shares of bookings and substitutions which made the situation worse. Croatia has to organize its team and play better if it wants to make an impressive presence in Group B. I have my doubts since Germany will probably win the Group B Division after its impressive two to zero victory over Poland.