Euro 2008 Team Preview: Croatia

Nico Krancjar Croatia Euro 2008FOOTBALL – Euro 2008 Team Preview – CROATIA

14/1 with totesport to win Euro 2008.
13/5 with Paddy Power to win Qualifying Group B (includes Germany, Poland and Austria).

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Past Championships

Having gained independence from Yugoslavia, Croatia’s first major tournament was Euro ’96 in England. With a team featuring Boban, Prosinecki and Suker, they reached the quarter-finals, only losing out to subsequent winners, Germany. They finished third in World Cup 1998, but age was catching up with a number of the players. They failed to qualify in 2000 and exited at the group phase in 2004.

1960 – Formed part of Yugoslavia

1964 – Formed part of Yugoslavia

1968 – Formed part of Yugoslavia

1972 – Formed part of Yugoslavia

1976 – Formed part of Yugoslavia

1980 – Formed part of Yugoslavia

1984 – Formed part of Yugoslavia

1988 – Formed part of Yugoslavia

1992 – Formed part of Yugoslavia

1996 – Quarter-finals

2000 – Did not qualify

2004 – First round

Coach

A spirited and determined defender in the golden generation of the nineties, Slaven Bilic has graduated along with many of his former Croatia Under-21 proteges to the full national side. Bilic has shown a tactical maturity which belies his relative coaching inexperience. Giving the young players their chance has paid dividends so far and while he may not be planning on extending his reign beyond Euro 2008, a long run in the competition will do his future job prospects no harm at all.

Qualification

Having beaten England at home and away, Croatia amasses some 29 points in winning qualifying group E. The only blot on their copybook was a loss to Macedonia, with qualification already in the bag. Slaven Bilic’s men were strong defensively and breathtaking going forward, a return to the mid 1990s Croatian style.

Key Players

Dynamo Zagreb have seemed intent on holding on to creative midfielder Luka Modric. Allegedly negotiations took place with Chelsea during the January “transfer window”, but a price (in the region of 25 million euros) could not be agreed. However, Modric is likely to play a starring role in Austria / Switzerland, adding enough millions to make it worth Zagreb’s while parting with their playmaker.

At 17, Niko Kranjcar was hailed as the country’s greatest talent since Boban, Suker, or Prosinecki. However, several years later, after an acrimonious transfer arch rivals Hajduk, there were murmurings that he was on the verge of failure. His transfer to Portsmouth resulted in a player who is more alert and agile than ever, who can operate anywhere in the left side of midfield, including as a supporting striker, if required.

Eduardo da Silva’s horror injury means he won’t be playing this summer for Croatia and his loss will be as key to Croatia’s hopes as any player they are able to pick. The naturalised Brazilian has consistently delivered goals for Bilic, and without him, some of the more goal shy experienced strikers will need to deliver.

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    Related Articles:
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Turkey
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Switzerland
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Russia
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Czech Republic
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Poland


    • Written by John Lamerton · Filed Under Euro 2008, Football 

    Comments

    One Response to “Euro 2008 Team Preview: Croatia”

    1. bollocks on May 29th, 2008 12:23 pm

      “Dynamo Zagreb have seemed intent on holding on to creative midfielder Luka Modric. Allegedly negotiations took place with Chelsea during the January “transfer window”, but a price (in the region of 25 million euros) could not be agreed. However, Modric is likely to play a starring role in Austria / Switzerland, adding enough millions to make it worth Zagreb’s while parting with their playmaker.”

      It’s “Dinamo”, not “Dynamo”. Also, Luka Modric transferred to Tottenham not long ago.

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