Crotia Upsets Germany!

[Eric Draven]

Didn't see this coming at all!!!!

KLAGENFURT, Austria (AP)—Croatia stunned pretournament favorite Germany 2-1 Thursday, taking control of Group B at the European Championship.

Croatia took the lead in the 24th minute after Danijel Pranjic swapped passes with Ivan Rakitic and then sent a cross for Darijo Srna. He slid just ahead of defender Marcell Jansen and scored past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

Ivica Olic made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute after a shot from Rakitic on the right flank was deflected by Germany forward Lukas Podolski and bounced off the post right at Olic’s feet. Podolski scored his third goal of the tournament in the 79th.

 

[gamebreakers]

One of my darkhorse picks in the tournament. My top pick was Spain but Portugal looks tough.

 

[malskelton]

One of my darkhorse picks in the tournament. My top pick was Spain but Portugal looks tough.

I've not taken much interest in the tournament ( purely because I'm selfish and England aren't there ), but I picked Spain or Holland ahead of the games.

I based that on the fact that both of them have under achieved in the major tournaments ( Holland's 88 Euro Championship aside ).

I like the fact that Holland, Portugal and Spain are playing the game the right way - goals win games !! None of them have looked defensively solid, they all look like they could concede at any point - but I love the attitude that they might just go out and win 5-3.

Portugal may get ripped apart by the wranglings - Ronaldo to Real and Scolari to Chelsea, distractions they could do without.

Holland look spectacular - anyone who turns over the Italians and French gets my vote

Mal Skelton