Luka Modric got Croatia's Euro 2008 campaign off to a winning start against tournament co-hosts Austria on Sunday.

Modric, who recently signed for Premier League side Tottenham, slotted home a fourth-minute penalty as Slaven Bilic's side stuttered their way to a victory which was less comfortable than expected.

The co-hosts have been given little chance in the tournament they are staging with Switzerland, and their preparations have been disrupted by coach Josef Hickersberger's anger at players turning up for duty late.

Paul Scharner, one of their most high-profile players, chose not to play for his country and there was even an online petition to protest against the state of the national team.

Hickersberger had not even picked his first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the tournament. In the end he went with ex-Sunderland stopper Jurgen Macho ahead of Alex Manninger, and his first job was to get the ball out of the net when Modric netted from the penalty spot.

Modric slipped the ball inside to Ivica Olic on the left channel, and referee Pieter Vink pointed to the spot when Rene Aufhauser blocked the run of the Croatia striker.

Modric sent Macho the wrong way with the penalty, leading to Croatia fans lighting a flare to celebrate, which UEFA may look at.

Jurgen Saumel and Sebastian Prodl tried their luck from long range for Austria but neither efforts tested goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa and Croatia appeared in control.

Emanuel Pogatetz had been booked for protesting the penalty and he was lucky not to see red when he clashed with Olic after the Croatia forward outpaced him, then embarrassed him with a nutmeg in the corner.

Mladen Petric should have doubled the lead but blazed over with a volley when found unmarked at the far post, then just before the break Joachim Standfest headed over for Austria from a similar position at the other end.

It gave Austria confidence heading into the second period, and they flashed a couple of dangerous crosses in front of Pletikosa's goal.

Modric did the same for Croatia, but the hosts managed to scramble clear. The new Spurs recruit saw plenty of the ball but was guilty of a few stray passes as well as being outmuscled as Austria attempted to flood the midfield.

Austria brought on their playmaker in veteran Ivica Vastic, who at 38 is the oldest player at the tournament - but they could not find the equaliser, despite pressure from the flanks and Pletikosa flapping at crosses.

Martin Harnik also flashed over when he had a glimpse of goal, while Vastic forced a save with a powerful header from the edge of the area.

They also had a penalty appeal turned down when the ball struck Dario Knezevic, and Umit Korkmaz had a long-range effort saved. Roman Kienast headed wide in stoppage time.

Teams:

Austria Macho, Prodl, Stranzl, Pogatetz, Aufhauser,Saumel (Vastic 61), Standfest, Gercaliu (Korkmaz 69),Ivanschitz, Harnik, Linz (Kienast 73).

Subs Not Used: Manninger, Ozcan, Katzer, Garics, Patocka,

Hiden, Fuchs, Leitgeb, Hoffer.

Booked: Pogatetz, Saumel, Prodl.

Croatia Pletikosa, Corluka, Robert Kovac, Simunic, Pranjic,Srna, Nico Kovac, Modric, Kranjcar (Knezevic 61),Olic (Vukojevic 82), Petric (Budan 72).

Subs Not Used: Galinovic, Runje, Simic, Vejic, Rakitic,

Pokrivac, Leko, Kalinic, Klasnic.

Booked: Robert Kovac.

Goals: Modric 4 pen.

Att: 50,000

Ref: Pieter Vink (Holland).