The Redknapp Report: Let's hear it for those nations who dare to show some flair

The greatest joy from watching these championships has been seeing teams like Spain, Holland, Portugal and Croatia play without fear. Spain, in particular, have been bold in their selection, fielding two strikers.

Too often now, the fashion is for teams to play five in midfield and one striker, in a formation that can switch to 4-3-3.

The 2004 Finals were all about defending, winning 1-0 and 'what we have, we hold'.

New Makelele: Senna (front) tussles with Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The result was Greece winning the competition.

This one has been about attacking flair, playing with dash and dare, going out to win games.

Teams aren't scared, they are confident of their quality. Spain's flamboyance could shift the balance if their attacking play is rewarded with the first trophy since 1964.

Marcos Senna, their holding midfielder from Villarreal, has been impressive and has caught my eye - he looks like the new Claude Makelele.

He breaks up the play, passes the ball and is a dynamic holding midfielder: I wonder if a Barclays Premier League club may look to sign him?

The achilles heel for Spain could be their defence. I'm not sure how strong they are.

Fading forces

It looks to be the end of an era for France.

While Holland have shown the way and picked young, emerging players, France have remained loyal to their ageing superstars and they are in a mess.

Two games, no wins and they look to be in serious trouble.  Italy, too, have been overpowered.

Old guard: Buffon's brilliance has kept Italy in the tournament

They picked the Milan midfield (minus its best player, Brazilian Kaka) who failed to qualify for next season's Champions League and they have been punished.

Only the brilliance of Gianluigi Buffon has kept them in the tournament, but for how long?

If Romania beat Holland, France and Italy are going home - and let's be honest, neither nation deserves to go through.

There is a saying which reflects the confidence that players from Holland have in their own ability: If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much.

If you speak to any Dutch manager or player, it's almost as if they invented the game.

There's nothing wrong with having that confidence when you have the ability of this team.

Wesley Sneijder has been outstanding, but I've also been impressed with the gangly holding midfielder, Orlando Engelaar.

Holding centre stage: Orlando Engelaar of Holland

Marco van Basten has not necessarily picked all his big-name players, but he has put together the best pieces to make up the jigsaw.

Maybe England can learn from that. Engelaar was one of the less fancied, less glamorous selections - he only made his international debut this time last year - but he has looked very comfortable on the ball.

I just wonder if he could be exposed in the knock-out stages, if an opponent gets tight to him and forces him back to defend.

Currently, he is passing his way around the tournament, unflustered and with so much time on the ball.

Neither Italy nor France closed him down, but we will find out how mobile he is when it gets down to the last eight.

Having helped the unfashionable FC Twente into the Champions League (Ajax didn't make it), this young man, who could have chosen to play for Belgium, has brought his form with him into the tournament.

He's a good find for Van Basten.

Portugal impress me.

Not only do they have the eye-catching flair of their attacking players, but the two centre backs - Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe - are also the best pairing we've seen so far.

Strong pair: Portugal's Pepe and teammate Ricardo Carvalho

They have the edge on Spain with their defensive organisation. Big Phil Scolari, it has been suggested, is a pragmatic coach, but you wouldn't be welcomed by Portugal and Brazil if your game was all about defence.

He provides a platform for the flair players to perform, but what will he do with Chelsea?

He has a big personality and a big budget, too, it seems.

The one player I'd really like to see coming to our country is Kaka. It's certainly going to be interesting watching Scolari step into Jose Mourinho's dug-out.

And how would England have fared?

One or two of my friends have said they are glad England aren't at the Finals because they would have been exposed, but I'm not having that.

Capello: has much work to do

The new England, under Fabio Capello - with their organisation and better use of the ball - would hold their own.

There won't be many better pairings than Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, while Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are as good as anything we have seen from the top nations.

We know there is much work ahead for Capello  including a World Cup qualifying campaign with the dangerous Croats again in the group.

But there is so little to choose between the top four countries here.

England, I like to think, would have been more Holland and Spain, rather than Italy and France.

I still can't believe we are not there.