Exuberant Croatian fans outroar Austrian locals

By Mark Heinrich

VIENNA (Reuters) - Exuberant Croatian fans, many dressed from head to toe in red and white checks, packed the Rathausplatz (City Hall Square) as their team secured a 1-0 win over co-hosts Austria in their Euro 2008 opener on Sunday.

The noisy and passionate Croats, among an estimated 10,000 ticketless supporters watching the game on giant outdoor screens in the centre of Vienna, outroared and outnumbered the long-suffering locals throughout the Group B match.

The atmosphere was good natured except for one isolated brawl triggered when a drunken Austrian charged several Croats.

After two spells of scuffling, helmeted riot police swept through the crowds and hustled off half-a-dozen people to a rousing cheer from thousands of fans.

Croatian joy contrasted sharply with Austrian disappointment after playmaker Luka Modric had clinched victory with a fourth-minute penalty.

It was Austria's first appearance in the finals of the European Championship.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)