Croatia underlined their growing reputation as Euro 2008's most dangerous dark horses by stunning tournament favourites Germany 2-1 and earning a quarter-final berth in a day of enthralling Group B action on Thursday.
The Germans next face co-hosts Austria who rescued a 1-1 draw against Poland with a hotly disputed penalty deep into injury time to the shrill delight of their fans packed into Ernst Happel stadium in the capital Vienna. Defeat by Austria on Monday - still a long shot - would mean a previously unthinkable first-stage exit for the Germans who are ranked 87 places above their next opponents.
Ivica Vastic's penalty in the 93rd minute for Austria after Sebastian Proedl was hauled down in the Polish area, also ensured that the fast-improving Croatians joined Portugal in the last eight with a group game still to contest.
On Friday, Group C teams return to action with Italy getting the chance to put their campaign back on track, after defeat by the Dutch, against Romania in Zurich and Netherlands taking on France in another mouth-watering fixture later in Berne.
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