VIENNA, Austria (AP)—Germany captain Michael Ballack scored on a wicked second-half free kick Monday for a 1-0 win over Austria and a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship.

In a game marked by the ejection of both coaches before halftime, Ballack sent in a 25-yard shot in the 49th minute to advance Germany and end the hopes of its smaller neighbor.

Germany finished Group B as runner-up to Croatia and will face 2004 runner-up Portugal in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Having been irked by several decisions against his team, including a yellow card to striker Erwin Hoffer for a late but minor challenge on Ballack, Austria’s Josef Hickersberger was the first coach expelled, in the 41st minute. Germany’s Joachim Loew then stood toe-to-toe with a UEFA official before being sent from the field as well.

The coaches shook hands before trudging away, with whistles and jeers echoing around the stadium from bemused fans. But the jeers, at least those of the German fans, soon turned to cheers. ^Croatia 1, Poland 0>

KLAGENFURT, Austria (AP)—Ivan Klasnic, the first kidney transplant recipient to play at the European Championship, scored for Croatia. The 28-year-old striker connected in the 53rd minute when he swept in a left-footed shot from a cross by stand-in captain Danijel Pranjic.

Croatia was assured the top spot in the group and will play Turkey in the quarterfinals Friday in Vienna. Poland needed to win convincingly and hope Austria beat Germany to advance. Croatia won all three group games for the first time in three tournament appearances.

Klasnic gave Croatia the lead after threatening the defense all night. He was knocked down during the play, but got back up in time to take Pranjic’s pass and beat goalkeeper Artur Boruc.