War Howard Webb betrunken oder waren es die österreichischen Stürmer?

Österreich v Polen in der englischen Presse:
"Achtung Germany - Austria are alive and kicking"

Nachdem ich voll der Euphorie meinen Spielbericht vom gestrigen 1:1-"Ich glaub ich träume"-Unentschieden gegen Polen gepostet habe, die überwiegend begeisterten Kommentare in den österreichischen Gazetten gelesen und sogar bei Herrn Blumenau - abgesehen von einer böse klingenden, aber wohl witzig gemeinten Überschrift ("Hickersberger ist ein verdammter Lügner") nur Hymnisches über das österreichische Team gelesen habe, muss ich wohl endlich ein bisserl auf die Euphorie-Bremse treten, dachte ich.
Dabei helfen normalerweise die Vor- und Spielberichte über Österreich aus der englischen Online-Presse. Und tatsächlich: Laut Daily Mirror war Paul Scharner schon vor dem Spiel über das Team her gezogen ("it's a crime they haven't shown more effort and commitment"), Times Online machte sich in seinem Spielbericht über das Versemmeln der 100%-igen Chancen der Österreicher lustig und der Independent gab Leo Beenhakkers Ref-Kritik ausreichend Raum.
Dann aber finde ich im Guardian den zutreffenden Hinweis, dass die Schiedsrichter angewiesen sind, Behinderungen bei Straf- und Eckstößen strenger zu ahnden. Und da steht dann auch, die Österreicher hätten zeitweise so gespielt, dass der 92. Platz im FIFA-Ranking eine Beleidigung für sie sei.
Auch der Matchbericht von BBC Online (den ich schon an meinen eigenen Bericht anhängte) war so schlecht nicht. Vor allem die Zeile "Umit Korkmaz used his explosive pace to waltz past two men down the left" geht runter wie Öl und hinterlässt nur deshalb einen bitteren Nachgeschmack, weil der "left winger" die nächste Saison bei Eintracht Frankfurt und nicht mehr bei Rapid Wien spielen wird.
Bei Jamie Jackson im Guardianlese ich sogar die für's Entscheidungsspiel gegen Deutschland Mut machende Schlagzeile "Achtung Germany - Austria are alive and kicking". Er meint, dass für das Foul an Österreichs "exellentem Kapitän" (!) in der 47. Minute ein klarer Elfer hätte gegeben werden müssen. Sowohl der Guardian als auch Who ate all the pies (Blog) und Sky Sports möchten nicht dem erst vor ein paar Wochen eingebürgerten Brasilianer Roger Guerreiro den Man of the Match-Titel verleihen, den er im Ernst Happel Stadion nachgeschmissen erhielt wie die polnische Staatsbürgerschaft, sondern dem polnischen Keeper Artur Boruc: ein Kompliment mehr für Österreichs Angriffsfußball! Dumm nur, dass es trotz allem eines Elfers bedurfte, um zu treffen. Aber wie heißt das so schön bei Jamie Jackson im Guardian: Achtung Germany - Austria are alive and kicking!

-> Times Online: Austria indebted to Howard Webb as co-hosts refuse to leave Euro 2008
"Ivica Vastic, the 38-year-old substitute, lashed in the penalty to become the oldest goalscorer in tournament history by more than four years. He showed a conviction absent in his team-mates — a brewery has offered a lifetime’s supply of beer to anyone who scores for Austria at Euro 2008 and, Vastic apart, their forwards played as if they had drunk the prize."

-> Independent: Austria stay alive thanks to Webb's intervention
"Leo Beenhakker, the veteran coach of Poland, last night accused English referee Howard Webb of wishing to "show what a big boy he is" in giving the last-minute penalty from which Austria rescued their prospects of progressing at Euro 2008.
Poland led 1-0 through a goal that assistant Mike Mullarkey, another English official, should probably have ruled offside, when the Yorkshire policeman bravely became the first referee at these finals to punish a defender for shirt-pulling in the box. He spotted Mariusz Lewandowski grappling Sebastian Prodl.
Ivica Vastic, Austria's 38-year-old veteran, tucked away the spot-kick leaving Beenhakker incandescent with anger. Asked if it was just bad luck that Poland should be the first team punished for such a common offence, he said: 'You think so? I am 43 years in this business, I think always very correct with referees, never suspended, but this is something I really, really cannot understand. I don't know why but probably in a moment the ref sees something nobody saw and probably wants to show he is a big boy,' he added. 'Someone was pushing a little bit I suppose.'"

-> The Guardian (1): Hope for hosts as Webb penalty leaves Poland in a spin
"The replays, however, will vindicate the official at a time when referees are being told to clamp down on shirt-pulling, and the 38-year-old substitute Ivica Vastic lashed in a penalty that suddenly throws up the astonishing possibility that little, patronised Austria may yet qualify at the expense of Germany.
The two sides meet in Vienna on Monday and, whatever happens, the tournament's least-fancied side can at least feel a certain amount of pride that their Euro 2008 has not been the abject embarrassment that had been widely predicted.
There were periods last night when Josef Hickersberger's men played as if affronted to be 92nd in Fifa's world rankings. They were so dominant in the opening half, for example, that the only criticism that could be levelled at a team who are officially inferior to, among others, Qatar and Zambia was their astonishing wastefulness in front of goal. Three glorious chances were created, then wasted, in the opening 20 minutes, every missed opportunity asking for trouble."

-> The Guardian (2): Achtung Germany - Austria are alive and kicking
"The point is that when Josef Hickersberger's side play like they did here - take note Germany - Austria can cause most nations in the tournament a real problem.
Just two minutes after the break Howard Webb turned down what appeared a close penalty shout when the half-time substitute Pawel Golanski grappled with Austria's excellent captain Andreas Ivanschitz. There were other, countless attacks with the best chances before half-time falling to Martin Harnik, who had two clear runs at Artur Boruc. He was a worthy man-of-the-match, and Austria were value for their point."

-> Who ate all the pies (Blog):
1. Austria should have had the game wrapped up before Poland had even woken up. The hosts (and in particular Martin Harnik) could not afford to waste such good openings early on.
2. What an outstanding display from Celtic keeper Artur Boruc. I am sure one or two of the top European sides will be giving Gordon Strachan a call.
3. Howard Webb loved his moment in the limelight a little too much. Some of that prancing round the pitch and overly dramatic gestures would have seen him laughed out of most Premier League grounds. And as for that penalty... soft to say the least.
4. But what a well taken penalty it was. Ivica Vastic nearly put a hole in the net as he became the oldest ever goalscorer in the European Championships.
5. The last-minute equaliser was little more than a stay of execution for Austria. I don't expect Germany to be in a generous mood when they meet.

-> BBC: Austria grab late draw against Poland:
"Moments later, Umit Korkmaz used his explosive pace to waltz past two men down the left and cross for Harnik, eight yards out, to shoot straight at Boruc.
Having been so profligate, Austria were punished in devastating fashion by the Poles on the half-hour mark.
It was doubly harsh on the Austrians because Roger was clearly standing in an offside position when the ball left Southampton striker Saganowski's foot.
Poland took Jop off at half-time and within seconds of the restart his replacement Pawel Golanski was a little lucky not to concede a penalty, as the defender's hands were all over Andreas Ivanschitz with the Austrian captain moving in on goal.
With the clock running down and Austria's chances hanging by a thread, Webb stunned the Poles by pointing to the spot and 38-year-old Vastic rifled in to become the oldest scorer in European Championship history. "

-> Sky Sports: Austria rescue late draw
"Boruc had to be at his best in the 11th minute as a poor backpass by a Polish defender released Austria's Martin Harnik, who raced clear but his shot into the far corner was deflected by the Celtic shot-stopper for a corner.
Boruc did even better two minutes later as Umit Korkmaz put in a great pass into the penalty area but Harnik again had his shot saved by Boruc with his legs failing to add to his international haul of two goals.
The Polish guardian was again equal to the task a few minutes later as with the Poland defence in disarray Christoph Leitgeb ran onto a beautifully weighted pass but his shot was again saved by Boruc.
It took Vastic to break the Poles' hearts. "