Slaven Bilic has hailed England as "probably the best in Europe" just three days after he branded them "predictable" and claimed they had not improved under Fabio Capello.

The Croatia coach performed the massive U-turn today in the wake of his side's first competitive defeat at home.

Bilic, who twice got the better of Steve McClaren's England during qualifying for Euro 2008, said: "We knew Capello had two options, either [Theo] Walcott or [David] Beckham. It turned out that Walcott was the right choice as he was so dangerous.

"England showed they are a mighty team, probably the best in Europe."

Bilic called the 4-1 mauling "a catastrophe" and blamed it on the red card for Croatia defender Robert Kovac in the 54th minute for elbowing Joe Cole.

By then, Croatia were already a goal down and Bilic said: "We started well but after that red card we looked like a broken-down army, both mentally and physically. After Kovac's red card our game fell apart."

The Croatia media lavished praise on England and, in particular, Capello.

The Jutarnji List newspaper said: "Capello has outwitted Bilic. It was payback time and some.

"This is not McClaren's England. This is a powerful team."

Another daily, Vecernji List, under the headline Hats off to Mr Capello, said: "Fabio the Great has humiliated Bilic on the eve of his 40th birthday.

"The wily Don Fabio has shown Bilic and our boys they need some additional education.

"Bilic is highly talented but still needs to fully master the trade."