Euro 2004 Football – Croatia

Founded 1991 Fifa 1992

Rather like the fallen Russian empire, the former Yugoslavian football team has suffered from its empire being splintered into satellite teams. Even though Croatia is probably the best side in the Balkans, they have been struggling to keep up with the top 10 countries.

Perhaps Croatia lack the fire power to overcome England in Group B. However, I think they may spring a surprise against France.

Previous qualifications: None – But Remember Yugoslavia were a powerful team.

	Group B	P	W	D	L	GS	GA	PTS
	France (2) Q	3	2	1	0	7	7	7
	England (6) Q	3	2	0	1	8	4	6
	Croatia (20)	3	0	2	1	4	6	2
	Switzerland (45)	3	0	1	2	1	6	1
	(Fifa Ranking)

	Group 8	P	W	D	L	GS	GA	PTS
	Bulgaria	8	5	2	1	13	4	17
	Croatia	8	5	1	2	12	4	16
	Belgium	8	5	1	2	11	9	16
	Estonia	8	2	2	4	4	6	8
	Andorra	8	0	0	8	1	18	0

Coach: Otto Baric.

Man to watch: Dado Prso.

Goalkeepers
Tomislav Butina (Club Brugge)
Stipe Pletikosa (Shaktar Donetsk)
Vedran Runje (Marseille)
Defenders
Robert Kovac (Bayern Munich)
Mato Neretljak (Hajduk Split)
Goran Sablic (Dinamo Zagreb)
Anthony Seric (Brescia)
Dario Simic (Milan)
Josep Simunic (Hertha Berlin)
Mario Tokic (Grazer AK)
Igor Tudor (Juventus)
Boris Zivkovic (Stuttgart)
Midfielders
Jasmin Agic (Dinamo Zagreb)
Marko Babic (Bayer Leverkusen)
Niko Kovac (Hertha Berlin)
Jerko Leko (Kyev Dynamo)
Ivica Mornar (Anderlecht)
Miljenko Mumlek (Vartecs)
Ivan Rezic (Vartecs)
Giovani Rosso (Maccabi Haifa)
Darijo Srna (Shaktar Donetsk)
Mario Stanic (Chelsea)
Stjepan Tomas (Fenerbahce)
Jurica Vranjes (Stuttgart)
Forwards
Niko Kranjcar (Dinamo Zagreb)
Marijo Maric (Kanrten)
Ivica Olic (CSKA Moscow)
Mladen Petric (Grasshopper)
Dado Prso (Monaco)
Milan Rapajic (Hajduk Split)
Tomislav Sokota (Benfica)

Which team was part of the old USSR?

Croatia

Russia

Bulgaria

Czech Republic

Germany

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