Croatia

Croatia qualified for Euro 2012 through beating Turkey in the play-offs after finishing behind Greece in the group stages. After a convincing 3-0 win in Istanbul the Croatians settled for a 0-0 draw at home amidst much celebration. This is the 7th major tournament the country has qualified for since gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, a remarkable feat for a population of just over 4 million. However, despite their short existence English football fans will be no strangers to the red and white chequered shirts. The pair has met 7 times already with numerous goals between them. Some of the more memorable encounters include a thrilling 4-2 loss for the Croatians in Euro 2004, Croatia’s 3-2 victory at Wembley preventing England from qualifying for Euro 2008 and the 4-1 and 5-1 reverse in the qualifying stages for the World Cup in South Africa. The four goals Croatia conceded in way back in Euro 2004 were incidentally scored by Rooney, Lampard and Scholes. The Croatian’s are in a tough group in Poland. Group C hosts Spain, Italy and the Republic of Ireland. Some may argue this is the ‘Group of Death’ but with Group B in the fray it is hard to discern. Either way, Croatia has an uphill battle ahead of them. Therefore it is vital that their opening game in Poznan on the 10th of June against the Republic of Ireland ends in a victory. A draw would be problematic. A loss fatal. Slaven Bilic has a strong squad though, with some players of creativity coupled with a good resilience at the back. They conceded only 7 goals in the qualifying stages although, Turkey, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia and Malta do not really scream goal scoring nations. Bilic will probably opt for a standard 4-4-2 formation with potentially some familiar faces such as Vedran Corluka at left-back and Luka Modric in the middle of the park. Nico Kranjcar was Croatia’s top scorer in the qualifiers with 4 but the Spurs midfielder has a knee injury that may make him questionable for the finals. Ivan Perisic, who plays for Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund, may fill the gap after a disappointing season from Sevilla’s Ivan Rakitic. Tomislav Dujmovic or Ognejen Vukojevic will lead the defensive fight in midfield whilst Croatia’s influential captain Darijo Srna will maraud the wing. At the back it looks like Croatia may be without Dejan Lovren. The young Lyon defender picked up an injury in the Coupe de France Final and is a doubt. The Dinamo Zagreb trio of Simunic, Vida and Vrsaljko could potentially all start. Going forward Croatia have options. Ivica Olic, who plays for Champions League finalists Bayern Munich, and Mario Mandzukic are the preferred pairing. However, Nikica Jelavic’s recent form for Everton has been sensational, scoring 10 goals in 14 appearances for the Toffees, so don’t be surprised to see him start upfront. The fourth striker Bilic will probably take to Poland is ex-Arsenal frontman Eduardo, however, he also is questionable with a hamstring injury therefore opening a gap potentially for ex-Blackburn striker Nikola Kalinic or Bolton Wanderers’ Ivan Klasnic. Despite this strong frontline, the opposition Croatia will face make it hard to visualise many Croatians seeing Ukraine. To get through the group stages of Euro 2012 Croatia need some sublime performances. Yet, we have witnessed such feats before from this nation, everyone remembers a certain golden boot winner in France 98. Unfortunately Croatia’s all time record top goalscorer Davor Suker is long retired.