With
Euro 2012 kicking-off - it's time to profile the countries taking part, from
their footballing beginnings to the present day.
Coach: Slaven Bilic
Play-off Winners
One to Watch: Mario Mandzukic
As
we approach the summer of 2012 all of our minds, well most of them at least,
will turn away from the domestic football competitions within our own
countries, towards the International arena for the eagerly awaited European
Championship Finals, to be held in Poland and the Ukraine. At It's All In The
Game , I shall be profiling each of the 16 finalists who will bid to become the
champions of Europe until 2016.
Croatia
is our destination, as we continue profiling the teams that will be taking part
in next summer’s European Championships. The Independent State of Croatia
played nineteen international friendly matches between 1940 and 1944. At the
end of the Second World War however, Croatia became part of the new state of
Yugoslavia and, as such, did not field an independent team again for almost
half a century.
The
modern Croatian team was established in 1990, and their first competitive
matches were in qualification for Euro 96, having been recognised by FIFA in
1993. Since then Croatia have had tremendous success on the international stage
for such a small country, qualifying for three out of four World Cup Finals,
only missing out in South Africa 2010, and amazingly, finishing third at their
first attempt at France 98.
As
far as European competition goes, the country has had similar success. Croatia
have qualified for the European Championships four times, only failing to make
it to Euro 2000, and have made it to the quarter finals twice. in 1996. The
first of these quarter final appearances came in the Croat's first ever
tournament, Euro 96 held in England, and it introduced the world to the talents
of players such as Davor Suker and Zvonimir Boban. They also made the knock-out
stages in 2008.
Much
of Croatia’s early success was built on the backs’ of a “Golden Generation” of
superbly talented players who all came through to represent their country at
senior level at around the same time. Under coach Miroslav Blazovic, this
generation of players which included the likes of Davor Suker, Goran Vlaovic,
Zvonimir Boban and current coach, Slaven Bilic, represented Croatia at Euro 96
and World Cup 98.
At
Euro 96, held in England, Croatia, like the Czech Republic, were playing in
their first major tournament since becoming a sovereign state and, like the
Czech republic, they performed excellently, surprising many by qualifying from
the group stage. Croatia defeated, defending champions, Denmark 3-0 on the way, before losing to Germany, the
eventual winners, in the quarter final.
France
98 saw Croatia build on the impressive start made two years previously, and
consolidate their position as real force to be reckoned with. Victories over
Japan and Jamaica were enough to put Croatia into the knock-out stages. Once
there, victory over Romania set up a quarter final tie against, the heavily
fancied, Germany.
Remarkably,
Croatia won the match at a canter, stunning the Germans with a terrific display
which allowed them to run out 3-0 winners and gain revenge for their
elimination from Euro 96. The Croatians were finally beaten 2-1 in the
semi-final by, hosts and eventual tournament winners, France. However, victory
over Holland in the third place play-off ensured a bronze medal for the young
nation and, the brilliant, Davor Suker took home the Golden Boot.
Since
the heady heights of the late nineties, Croatia have done reasonably well,
qualification has usually been achieved, missing out only twice, however group
stage elimination has usually followed. The exception came at Euro 2008 under
current coach Slaven Bilic. Having qualified ahead of England, who they defeated
at Wembley during the campaign, Croatia went on a run to the quarter finals,
where they lost a penalty shoot-out to Turkey.
The
run however, included victories against Austria, Poland and Germany and was the
first time Croatia had taken maximum points from the group matches of a major
tournament. Failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Finals was a surprise,
however, coach Bilic vowed to stay on and take Croatia forward.
The
current Croatia squad contains some fantastic players, Luka Modric, Eduardo
Silva, Darijo Srna (c), to name but a few. They are extremely compact without
the ball, making them very difficult to break down, and play a pressing game,
giving their opponents very little time on the ball. When they do have the ball
Croatia play an incredibly quick, counter attacking game, which relies on one
and two touch play, pace and clinical finishing.
Some
vastly experienced players are complimented by a promising crop of younger
players coming through, such as Ivan Perisic of Borussia Dortmund and Ivan
Raketic of Sevilla. A player to look out for next summer is, rugged striker,
Mario Mandzukic currently of Bundesliga side Vfl Wolfsburg. The hitman has
averaged roughly a goal every two games throughout his club career, he also
scored twice in qualifying and got the second goal in Croatia’s 0-3 play-off
first leg victory in Turkey. A robust striker who's good in the air and on the
ground, Mandzukic has been used well by Bilic who seems to know how to get the
best from his players.
A
strong forward line which includes Ivica Olic of Bayern Munich, also features
Everton's Nikica Jelavic. He's another one to look out for in the summer,
although viewers of the English Premier League may already be aware of the
threat he poses. Jelavic has been a revelation at Everton since arriving from
Glasgow Rangers in January. Having scored a hatful in Scotland, some doubted
whether his skills would be instantly transferable to a much stronger league.
These doubts were misplaced, with Jelavic racking up nine goals in thirteen
appearances, many of these dispatched with one touch.
Croatia
could prove to be Euro 2012’s dark horses, their qualifying run was impressive,
winning seven out of ten games, garnering 22 points, they were disappointed not
to qualify by right. A comprehensive victory in their play-off with Turkey
showed the strength that they possess and any team that underestimates their
quality will surely pay the price.
Bilic
will leave his post as national team manager at the end of Euro 2012 but,
rather than unsettling his squad, it is likely to bind it even more closely
together as they push to achieve something special under him one last time.
Quality players with tournament experience, a strong group ethic united behind
a manager who commands respect and a distinctive style of play which suits the
attributes of the team, all combine to make Croatia a very dangerous
proposition.
Drawn
in a very tough group (the toughest after group b), comprising defending
champions Spain, a confident, new look
Italy and an Ireland side that, under Giovanni Trapattoni, have rediscovered
the knack of playing above themselves and gaining unlikely results, Croatia
have got their work cut out. However, if they can beat Ireland in their opening
game, they can give themselves a great chance of going through and, should they
reach the quarter finals, with the players that they possess, I don't think any
side would fancy coming up against them.
By Neil Patterson
Email: neil.b.patterson@gmail.com
Facebook: http://goo.gl/MJce0
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Neil1980
