Croatia
How'd they get here: Defeated Turkey in the qualification play-off
Last Appearance: Euro 2008
Best Appearance: Euro 1996, Euro 2008 (Quarter-finals)
Schedule:
June
10 vs Ireland
June
14 vs Italy
June
18 vs Spain
The Story:
No longer one of Europe's dark-horses (Croatia finished 3rd in the '98 World Cup behind prolific goal scorer Davor Suker), Croatia will see advancing past the group stage a successful trip in what is to be head coach Slaven Bilic's last time (he's leaving for club side Lokomotiv Moscow after the tournament) leading his country. Bilic's side has several top-tier talents but unfortunately for him they are all found on the attacking side with Croatia's back four leaving plenty to be desired.
Former Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka has fallen out of form (he basically sucks now) and no longer earns his pay from the North London club, Domagoj Vida is an unproven 23 year old, Gordon Schildenfeld plays in the German Second Division (this would be like a Team USA player who plays in the NBDL), and Josip Simunic is a 34 year old who is looking at his prime in the rear view mirror. When this is your probable starting defense, you had better hope that your team can score A LOT of goals.
