That is what it feels like in the build up to this matchup. I have to say that today's game promises to be a classic. Germany are flying at the moment and the Croats know they will need to play much better to ensure they leave the game with a much needed point.

Kevin McCarra for the Guardian blog profiles Modric - the Croatian (and Spurs!) star man and notes that he is not short of confidence:

Modric seems stress-free. That was to be witnessed when he converted the penalty against Austria by cracking the ball down the middle as Jurgen Macho dived to his right. Modric was understandably incredulous when someone suggested the method had actually been an accident. While the playmaker waned along with his team-mates after 25 minutes in Vienna, he had already shown off his skills.

Modric also had the excuse of a hamstring knock in that match and missed training on Monday as a precautionary measure. His self-belief is intact. Asked whether he was turning into one of the elite players, Modric replied: "No, I don't feel like a rising star," he said. "I feel like I'm already there." Bilic would have beamed. He has more need to instil confidence in the squad than knock it out of them.

The Germans are feeling pretty good as they lead into this game. Their coach Joachim Loew stated that "Not many changes will happen but one or two players may be new."

Loew seems like a cool customer and has taken over well from Klinn. I also think that in Podolski he has a really good star to act as the edge for his team. If we lose Berbatov, we could do worse than raiding Germany for Pods.

German (and perhaps future Chelsea) captain Michael Ballack echoed the confidence noting  "I don't see that any changes are needed but of course it is up to the coach - and it depends on the rival as well. Maybe we will change one or two positions."

My prediction for this one is 2-2 - Modric scores a brace for Croatia and Ballack + Podolski for Germany.

And it looks to all that Spurs picked up a bargain when they bought Modric!