Artur Boruc has returned to the Polish camp for tonight's vital Group B match with Croatia, presumably in better fettle than he left it. According to reports in the Netherlands, the Celtic keeper - permitted to return home after the birth of his son, Alex, in Warsaw - reacted furiously to Howard Webb's controversial late penalty award to Austria, from which Ivica Vastic ensured a 1-1 draw.
Boruc banged and shouted his way down the tunnel, kicking walls and damaging a door panel. He was not alone. Lech Walesa, the 65-year-old former Polish president and founder of the Solidarity trade union, was restrained by members of the Polish Football Federation. He had threatened to confront the English referee over his decision to penalise Marcin Wasilewski for pulling the jersey of Sebastian Prodl in the third minute of added-on time, while the Polish prime minister later said, in jest, that he wanted to kill the referee.
Leo Beenhakker, the Poland manager, refused to criticise Boruc's post-match behaviour. "Oh, the lad had just become a father of a healthy son two days ago," he explained. "So, before this incident, he was still highly emotional. On Monday, he'll be back ready just like the rest of the team.
"After the match, it was pandemonium in the tunnel and inside the stadium. Lech Walesa was going crazy and was going to run on to the pitch to confront the referee but, thankfully, his legs aren't so good anymore. We also had to hold back the Polish Minister of Sport."
Webb, who conducted a downbeat media conference yesterday, has since requested police protection during and after Euro 2008 because his address was posted on Polish internet sites in the immediate aftermath.
UEFA have yet to reveal if any sanctions will be made against Beenhakker after his vicious criticism of Webb, but yesterday he was unrepentant. "I haven't done anything wrong: I didn't swear at him, I didn't lay my hands on him," he said. "The only thing I did was to tell him what I thought of his performance and, thankfully, that's allowed.
"I've been in this business for 43 years but this takes the biscuit, this beats everything. It was scandalous."
His mood will at least have been lightened by confirmation from his Croatia counterpart, Slaven Bilic, that he will not play anyone who is at risk of a suspension for the quarter-final.
Robert Kovac, Josip Simunic, Darijo Srna and Luka Modric will all be left out as a result, while Bilic is also expected to rest some of his key players. That news will anger Germany, who need a point against Austria to be guaranteed of qualifying in second place. "I shall call my friend, Slaven, and as him to play his mother-in-law as striker," Beenhakker joked. When informed of the request, Bilic replied: "It is a pity I am divorced."
Croatia's unexpected 2-1 win against Germany also ensures they will avoid Portugal in the quarter-final. "I am quite happy that we avoided mighty Portugal," said Bilic.
Ballack: Germany focused Michael Ballack, the Germany captain, has said the mood in the team camp has changed drastically since the 2-1 defeat to Croatia on Thursday.
One of the pre-tournament favourites, Germany were outplayed by Slaven Bilic's side and now need at least a point against Austria to reach a quarter-final with Portugal.
Ballack, who admits his own performance has been well below what is needed, said the players are "tense" and their attitude is much more determined. "I know I can play better and should play better," he said. "Overall we haven't played to our full potential yet. Football is not always harmonious. The voices in the team have got louder and people have been giving their opinion, but it is all constructive.
"What is decisive is that it is positive and aimed at the success of the side, but every player knows it and the important thing is that a reaction comes of it."
Josef Hickersberger, the Austria manager, has also called for improvement and expects the fans to help his side over the line against their neighbours. "With the support of the fans to inspire us, it won't be a hopeless case against Germany," he said.
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