EURO 2012 Blog

Play-off Winners
Coach Slaven Bilic
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. Within a fortnight from now, the world will know the names of the last four teams/countries, which will join the 12 nations already guaranteed a place at Euro 2012. Over the next three weeks, we 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, however, at the end of the Second World War, in 1945, 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, Croatia have qualified four times, only failing to make it to Euro 2000, and have made it to the quarter finals twice, in 1996, their first ever international tournament, and last time the Finals were staged, 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 Finals since becoming a sovereign state; and like the Czech republic, they performed excellently, surprising many by qualifying from the group stage, defeating 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. The Croatians were finally beaten 2-1 in the semi-final by, hosts and eventual tournament winners, France, 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.

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 unlucky 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. 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. How far can they go? We’ll have to wait and see.

Tags: attributes, bilic, croatian team, dangerous proposition, dark horses, distinctive style, domestic football, ethic, euro 2000, euro 2012, football competitions, fortnight, france 98, games, golden generation, half a century, independent state, independent team, international arena, international friendly matches, international stage, price quality, quality players, quarter finals, second world war, south africa 2010, talented players, team profile, tournament experience, turkey, victory, world cup finals

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 17th, 2011 at 16:10 and is filed under Group C, Team Profiles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.