For the fourth successive day at Euro 2008, the competition produced a truly magnificent game of football. Following on from Holland's 3-0 win over Italy, Spain's 4-1 demolition of Russia and Portugal's classy 3-1 win over the Czech Republic, Germany and Croatia served up a footballing feast as Slaven Bilic's underdogs deservedly prevailed by two goals to one to seal their progress to the quarter-finals as winners of Group B.

Make not mistake, this was an excellent performance from a Croatian team who have enough quality to go on and win this tournament. Portugal, Spain and Holland may have thrown down the marker in the first round of matches but it is the Croatians who will have made Europe sit up and take notice after a performance of such quality. They will now meet either Turkey or the Czech Republic and will fancy their chances to make the semi-finals.

And what of Germany? While they were far from poor against Croatia there were some worrying signs. Marcell Jansen was an accident waiting to happen at left-back, at fault for the first goal and understandably removed at half-time to allow Phillipe Lahm to return to his favoured position. And while Mertesacker and Metzelder are as strong in the air as any defensive partnership in the tournament they were stretched on countless occasions by the nimble Croatians.

Should Germany make it through - and they really should with only Austria to play - then they will face an in-form Portugal in the quarter-finals and Low will have to be on his game to snuff out the threat of Ronaldo and Deco. It wouldn't be the worst idea to play Torsten Frings in a specifically defensive role just in front of the back pair in order to add some much-needed tenacity to this area of the pitch.

Despite the setback to Germany they are still my favourites to win the tournament. They are fortunate enough that the loss shouldn't harm their chances of progression and the defeat to Croatia should give them the kick up the backside they need to improve and move forward. They should give Austria a good thumping in the next match and if the likes of Ballack and Gomez can start making more of an impact then I feel they will be too mentally strong for a Portuguese side which I feel lacks the heart to go on and win the tournament.