Croatia stuns Germany, penalty saves Austria

VIENNA: Croatia underlined its growing reputation as Euro 2008's most dangerous dark horse by stunning tournament favourite Germany 2-1 and earning a quarterfinal berth in a day of enthralling Group B action on Thursday.

The Germans next face co-host 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.