Berlin was already buzzing ahead of the Brazil-Croatia game.

Brazilian fans in gold and green mingled with Croatian supporters dressed from top to toe in the distinctive red and white checks featured on their national flag.

Brazilian fans partied to samba-style music on a barge complete with mini-beach and small football pitch as it floated up the river Spree.

Brazil are favorites to lift the cup in the German capital after the final on July 9.

On the injury front, Serbia & Montenegro center back Nemanja Vidic was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after damaging knee ligaments in training on Monday.

"He was carried off in excruciating pain. A detailed medical check-up established damage to his left knee ligaments and he will be sidelined for several weeks at least," team spokesman Aleksandar Boskovic said.

Vidic was due to return to the team for the crunch Group C match with Argentina on Friday having missed the 1-0 opening defeat by the Netherlands through suspension.

Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko said he felt he had recovered from a knee injury to play in the opening Group H game against Spain on Wednesday.

But coach Oleg Blokhin has yet to decide if he will include his top striker.