Euro 2008 Report: Croatia 2-1 Germany

They say that any major tournament doesn't really get going until we've seen an upset - well Euro 2008 is well and truly up and running after Croatia beat Germany yesterday afternoon.

The Germans had not just been pencilled in as the group winners, most had carved it into their stone spreadsheets. Going into the game most saw this as a strong tune-up for the German's but one they should come through. Instead what we got was a vintage performance by a Croatian team who showed they have a great leader in Slaven Bilic, who has great tactical knowledge that helped lead them to a famous victory.

Croatia started well and were playing with one striker again but this time they had Portsmouth's Niko Krancjar playing just off the front man. This tactic seemed to work well as they stifled the German's and they went on and scored with the first effort on target in the game.

A nice move down the left flank with some neat inter-play ended with a beautiful left-footed cross from Danijel Pranjic. The German left-back waited for the ball instead of going to meet it and Darijo Srna stole in to stab it home. It put the cat amongst the pigeons and it was Croatia who looked more likely to score the next goal.

Two chances fell to Krancjar, the first he fired over on the stretch and the second saw Lehmann make a decent save. It was pretty much all Croatia and they went into the break in the ascendency.

They would take the lead mid-way through the second half with a goal that owed a lot to lady luck. A Ivan Rakitic cross was deflected by Lukas Podolski and the ball was tipped on to the post by the keeper. It then rolled out into the six yard area and with a back line of four defenders all standing still, Ivica Olic pounced and suddenly Germany were staring down the barrel of defeat.

They would get one back through Podolski but they never looked like getting a second. German sub Schweinsteiger came on and saw red after a shove on Leko. I thought it was a harsh red card when all is said and done but if you raise your arms then you are on dodgy ground. Germany will surely still qualify as they only have to beat Austria, but this defeat means a much tougher route to Euro 2008 glory.