Croatia (Group B)
Squad | Scouting Report | Road to Euro 2008 | Euro History
| Squad | ||
| Player | Position | Club |
| Stipe Pletikosa | Goalkeeper | Spartak Moscow (Russia) |
| Vedran Runje | Goalkeeper | Lens (France) |
| Mario Galinovic | Goalkeeper | Panathinaikos (Greece) |
| Vedran Corluka | Defender | Manchester City (England) |
| Dario Simic | Defender | AC Milan (Italy) |
| Robert Kovac | Defender | Borussia Dortmund (Germany) |
| Josip Simunic | Defender | Hertha Berlin (Germany) |
| Dario Knezevic | Defender | Livorno (Italy) |
| Hrvoje Vejic | Defender | Tom Tomsk (Russia) |
| Danijel Pranjic | Midfielder | Heerenveen (Netherlands) |
| Darijo Srna | Midfielder | Shakhtar Donetsk |
| Niko Kovac | Midfielder | Salzburg (Austria) |
| Luka Modric | Midfielder | Tottenham (England) |
| Niko Kranjcar | Midfielder | Portsmouth (England) |
| Ivan Rakitic | Midfielder | Schalke 04 (Germany) |
| Ognjen Vukojevic | Midfielder | Dinamo Zagreb |
| Nikola Pokrivac | Midfielder | Monaco (France) |
| Jerko Leko | Midfielder | Monaco (France) |
| Mladen Petric | Forward | Borussia Dortmund (Germany) |
| Ivica Olic | Forward | Hamburg SV (Germany) |
| Igor Budan | Forward | Parma (Italy) |
| Ivan Klasnic | Forward | Werder Bremen (Germany) |
| Nikola Kalinic | Forward | Hajduk Split |
| Head Coach: | Slaven Bilic | |
Scouting Report
Style of play: Coach Slaven Bilic has abandoned the 3-5-3 formation of his predecessor and replaced it with a more fluid 4-1-3-2. It's a system that gives Bilic the best of both worlds: a four-man defence shielded by a defensive midfielder, and three attacking midfielders playing in support of the two strikers. Croatia plays a much more stylish and cultured brand of soccer (it used to be known for its physical play), looking to unlock defences with its slick passing game and quick ball movement. Robert Kovac and Dario Simic hold things together in the centre of defence, abetted by defensive midfielder Niko Kovac. With Niko acting as the first line of defence, the two wide fullbacks (Vedran Corluka and Danijel Pranjic) are allowed to venture forward down the wings in support of the attack. In the middle, the trio of attacking midfielders work together to try and catch the opposition out of position. Niko Kranjcar and Luka Modric orchestrate the attack, and are always looking to rip apart the defence with accurate passes. The two forwards (Ivica Olic and Mladen Petric) play side by side and rarely drop back, relying almost exclusively on service from the midfielders for their scoring chances.
Probable starting formation (4-1-3-2): (GK) Pletikosa - (D) Pranjic, Simunic, Robert Kovac, Corluka - (M) Niko Kovac – (M) Kranjcar, Modric, Srna - (F) Olic, Petric
Strengths
Midfield depth – Croatia has a wealth of talented players in midfield, including playmakers Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar, two of the best young players in Croatian soccer. Their considerable talents are complimented by another emerging young star in Ivan Rakitic, veteran stalwart Niko Kovac, dangerous wingers Danijel Pranjic and Darijo Srna, and utility man Nikola Pokrivac.
Mix of young and old – Manager Slaven Bilic has constructed a balanced team consisting of experienced veterans (defenders Robert Kovac and Josip Simunic, and midfielder Niko Kovac) and an exciting crop of talented youngsters (defender Vedran Corluka, and midfielders Niko Kranjcar, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic).
Confidence – Croatia is riding high after winning their qualifying group with ease. The Croats won nine of 12 games (including posting two victories over mighty England) and only lost once. What's more, Bilic has his players playing fantastic soccer and believing in themselves.
Weaknesses
The Eduardo factor – Simply put, Croatia would not have qualified for Euro 2008 without forward Eduardo da Silva. The naturalized Brazilian scored a team-high 10 goals in the qualifiers and was Croatia's best player, but the Croats will have to make due without da Silva after he broke his leg. That's a big loss, because Croatia doesn't have another goal-scorer like da Silva.
Goalkeeping – Croatia has serious issues between the posts. No. 1 goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa is a veteran, but he's prone to making silly mistakes and costly errors. The same can be said for his understudy, Vedran Runje. The No. 3 goalkeeper, Mario Galinovic, has only played a few games for the national team.
Defence – Despite giving up only eight goals in 12 qualifying games, Croatia's defence is far from solid. Coach Slaven Bilic only named six defenders to his team (most teams carry seven) because of the lack of quality defenders available to him. Beyond the starting back four, Croatia doesn't have a reliable, experienced defender who can slot into the lineup.
Players to watch
Niko Kovac – He's 36, but Kovac, Croatia's captain, is the glue that holds the team together. The veteran defensive midfielder is a tireless worker, winning plaudits for sublime passing, expert tackling skills and all-around inspirational play.
Niko Kranjcar – The Portsmouth star is the creative fulcrum of the team, serving as one of two playmakers who directs the attack. Slotting in on the left side of midfield, Kranjcar uses his vision and exquisite passes to spring the forward, past the defenders and into the penalty area.
Luka Modric – One of the rising young stars of Croatian soccer, Modric, 23, is a gifted, two-footed central midfielder noted for his incisive passing, ability to read the game and industrious work in the centre of midfield. The talented playmaking midfielder recently signed with English club Tottenham Hotspur.
Key injuries/sqaud omissions: Croatia manager Slaven Bilic dropped a pair of young prospects, midfielder Anas Sharbini and defender Manuel Pamic, from his squad. Strikers Mladen Petric (back) and Igor Budan (knee) have injury problems.
Road to Euro 2008
1st round matches:
June 8 vs. Austria (Vienna)
June 12 vs. Germany (Klagenfurt)
June 16 vs. Poland (Klagenfurt)
Euro 2008 qualification route Finished first in qualifying Group 5 (29 points) ahead of second-place Russia (24 points).
Record in qualifying: 9 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss
Goals for: 28
Goals against: 8
Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Eduardo da Silva (10)
Qualifying results:
09.06.2006: Croatia 0 - Russia 0
10.07.2006: Croatia 7 - Andorra 0
10.11.2006: Croatia 2 - England 0
11.15.2006: Croatia 4 - Israel 3
03.24.2007: Croatia 2 - Macedonia 1
06.02.2007: Croatia 1 - Estonia 0
06.06.2007: Croatia 0 - Russia 0
09.08.2007: Croatia 2 - Estonia 0
09.12.2007: Croatia 6 - Andorra 0
10.13.2007: Croatia 1 - Israel 0
11.17.2007: Croatia 0 - Macedonia 2
11.21.2007: Croatia 3 - England 2
Euro History
Number of Previous Euro Appearances: 2
All-time record: 7 GP - 2 W, 2 T, 3 L
Goals for: 9
Goals against: 11
Most goals: Davor Suker (3)
Most appearances: Robert Jarni, Slaven Bilic, Goran Vlaovic, Dario Simic (4)
Biggest win: 3-0. vs. Denmark in 1996
Biggest loss: 0-3 vs. Portugal in 1996
Euro results:
(1960 to 1992 - Part of Yugoslavia, so no independent involvement )
1996 - quarter-final
2000 - did not qualify
2004 - first round
Legends from the past
Zvonimir Boban: A creative playmaker and a dangerous goal-scorer, Boban was one of Croatia's heroes from 1998 in France. He became a legend in European soccer during a successful stint with Italy's AC Milan, paving the way for other Croatian players to follow in his footsteps and make a name for themselves in the top leagues across western Europe.
Davor Suker: Croatia's all-time leading scorer with 45 goals, Suker was a talented striker who played for some of the biggest clubs in European soccer, including Real Madrid and Arsenal. Suker shot to fame in 1998 when he scored six goals at the World Cup in France. He finished as the tournament's top scorer and guided Croatia to a remarkable third-place finish.