We are on Croatia to make the last 8 at odds of 2.75 ............

If Spain do again fall out of the blocks, there is a real opportunity for one of the other teams in Group D to benefit and go very deep in this tournament, group winner could face Iceland/Wales and then Switzerland/ Austria something like that for a last four spot and no one would be disappointed with that. I am rather keen on the chances of Croatia, they have lost only twice since the 2014 World Cup, keeping cleansheets in 67% of all starts,they are traditionally strong tournament starters and in four previous Euros, they are unbeaten in their two opening games in each, including ties with Italy, Germany and France. Having said that, they have had disappointing trips to the last two major tournaments, unluckily going out of Euro 2012 with four points, losing their final group game 1-0 to Spain to a late, late winner and being "robbed" by the host national Brazil at the World Cup, where there were some very questionable decisions from the match officials. Those experiences, and many of those players remain, will ensure that this is a squad determined to do well and learn from past mistakes, They have a solid backline and Mario Mandzukic and Nikola Kalinic give them a big goal scoring threat, but it is the silky smooth midfield of Ivan Perisic (Inter) , Ivan Rakitic (Barce) and Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic ( both Real Madrid) that really make them purr! Few teams at these championships can match their level of quality in central midfield and as a group they look stronger than the team which left early, but impressed at times in the last two major football championships.

Portugal were our outright selection, with the thinking that Spain could drop into the bottom half of the draw along with France and Germany..............

Austria, Hungary and Iceland make up Group F, I would consider those competitive rather than strong teams, although Austria have dark horse potential, but we can discuss that later in the tournament. Winning this section would keep them in the top half of the draw, overall that would be better, despite maybe having to face say Italy in the last 16, but I would not be as concerned with that as I would have been 2-3 years ago and they have a draw which could work out very well with just a little luck and if not, I feel they are running into form and can be a match for almost everyone and have the best player in the tournament. This is a squad that is often termed average, with one stand out player, but I feel they have some really promising young players, a good coach, are running into form and have some veterans in their best form for some time who know they are drinking in the last chance saloon. On top of all that, odds are good !

It is incredibly annoying to get so much of that correct and end up in today's situation .

Portugal have performed poorly in terms of results at these championships, but we have seen their offensive potential and surely today we will see a little more of Ricardo Quaresma (pictured.............holding your child for the first time...you never forget that moment !) , he might not be up to 90 minutes, but looks a serious impact player and in good form at present. Ronaldo and Nani could easily , perhaps should have, 4 goals each and there is a chance that things could suddenly click for them given that CR has now broken his tournament duck.