Croatia

Team Overview

Like most countries in the world Croatians have been playing football since the beginning of the 1900’s. But only after 1990 the country could compete as an independent nation. In this short period of existence Croatia already marked their spot among the best football nations in the world when they got to the semi-finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

History

Yugoslav Years

The first register of the Croatian officcial participation is back in 1919 not as an independet country but when the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was accepted as a FIFA affiliate. The first international match happened one year later with a major defeat to Czechoslovakia (7-0).

In 1929 the country was renamed to Yugoslavia and in 1930 the team participated in the World Cup and ended sharing the third/fourth position with the United States. But that team didn’t have any Croatian players who decided not to travel with the team as a protest against the moving of the association's headquarters from Zagreb (now capital of Croatia) to Belgrade (now the capital of Serbia).

There was a interuption in the country’s football activities because of the World War II. The federation was disrupted and no matches were held at that time. The Yugoslavie Football Federation was reorganized after the war and it was one of the funded member of UEFA. Yugoslavia hosted the 1976 Euro and also participate in other 3 editions of the competition. Besides that the team participated in a total of 8 World Cups and won the Olympic Games football tournament in 1960.

In 1987 the Yugoslav under-20 won the FIFA World Youth Championship with some incredible Croatians talents like Prosinečki, Boban and Davor Šuker. The civil war in the region caused the country to split and in 1991 Croatia appeared as an independent country from Yugoslavia and became a FIFA full member in 1992.

1998 World Cup

After the independence process and the acceptance as a full FIFA member Croatia were set to participate in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The team couldn’t enter the 1994 edition but four years later Robert Prosinecki, Zvonimir Boban and Davor Suker were now set to represent the country in which they were born.

It was the first time the World Cup would have 32 participants and Croatia was seeded in group H along with Argentina, Japan and Jamaica. The Croats qualified to the round of 16 in second place of the group after beating Jamaica (3-1) and Japan (1-0) and losing to Argentina (1-0).

In the knockout stage Croatia’s first opponent was Romania and Davor Suker scored the winning goal in a penalty kick in the last minute of the first half. That was enough to send the Croatian team to play against Germany in the quarter finals. The three time World Champions didn’t not scare the Croats and with superb performance the team score 3 goals, didn’t allow any and were set to the semifinals.

For one moment Croatia tasted the real possibility of being in a World Cup Final. At the first minute in the second half topscorer and golden boot winner Davor Suker scored for the Croats. But the dream didn’t last long and 1 minute later defender Liliam Thuram scored the equalizer for France. Thuram would also score the winning goal for the French leaving Croatia to play for the third place against the Netherlands.

With goals from Prosinecki and Suker, Croatia won the third place game and achieved its best position in World Cup right at its debut.

World Cup 2002

Goalkeepers

Stipe Pletikosa (Hajduk Split), Tomislav Butina (Dinamo Zagreb), Vladimir Vasilj (FC Zagreb)

Defenders Robert Kovac (Bayern Munich, Germany), Robert Jarni (Panathinaikos, Greece), Dario Simic (Inter Milan, Italy), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Boris Zivkovic (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Daniel Saric (Panathinaikos, Greece), Anthony Seric (Verona, Italy)

Midfielders Stjepan Tomas (Vicenza, Italy), Zvonimir Soldo (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Robert Prosinecki (Portsmouth, England), Niko Kovac (Bayern Munich, Germany), Jurica Vranjes (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Davor Vugrinec (Lecce, Italy), Milan Rapaic (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Mario Stanic (Chelsea, England)

Forwards Alen Boksic (Middlesbrough, England), Davor Suker (1860 Munich, Germany), Goran Vlaovic (Panathinaikos, Greece), Ivica Olic (FC Zagreb), Bosko Balaban (Aston Villa, England)

Euro 2008

Croatia is one of the responsibles for knocking England out of the Euro 2008 final tournament. But Croatia gave no doubts that they deserved the spot after winning nine and losing only one of the twelve games in their group. The team qualified in first place having scored 28 goals, the second most efficient offense of the teams that made to the final tournament.

But Croatia’s offense recently suffered a great loss. Brazilian born striker Eduardo da Silva had his leg broken when playing for his team Arsenal FC. Eduardo will need 9 months to recover and is automaticaly out of the Euro 2008 squad. The 19-player Croatian squad is seed in the Group B along with Germany, Poland and host nation Austria.

Stars of the Current Squad

Niko Kranjčar

• Date of Birth: August 13, 1984
• Position: Midfielder/Forward
• Height: 185cm
• Kranjčar is possibly the most talented Croatian player in the game right now. In terms of technique, vision and understanding the game, he is a gem. However, he is prone to inconsistency and fitness problems, so question marks always exist over what kind of performance he will produce. He has however toughened up and increased his focus since moving to Portsmouth, and the national team will be relying on him. He is capable of playing wide or centrally, although he is best deployed in an attacking role behind the strikers that gives him some freedom to weave his magic. He will be a key player for Croatia, and can’t afford to be slack, because he has the highly talented and ambitious Luka Modrić vying for his place.

Robert Kovač

• Date of Birth: April 6, 1974
• Position: Defender/Sweeper/Midfielder
• Height: 182cm
• Although his brother Niko is the team captain and midfield anchor, it is Robert Kovač’s commanding presence and organizational skill that provide the Croatian team with a solid foundation. The German born defender has played at top level for several big clubs (such as Bayern Munchen and Juventus), and is a classy player. Although not particularly physically imposing or athletic, he is a fantastic reader of the game. He is also technically gifted, and apart from being an excellent passer, he is also able to bring the ball out of defence and start the play from the back. His experience and ability are invaluable to Croatia.

Team Legends

Bilic

• Full Name: Slaven Bilić
• Date of Birth: September 11, 1968
• Position: Defender
• Caps: 44
• Goals: 3

Boban

• Full Name: Zvonimir Boban
• Date of Birth: October 8, 1968
• Position: Midfielder
• Caps: 51
• Goals: 12

Prosinecki

• Full Name: Robert Prosinečki
• Date of Birth: January 12, 1969
• Position: Midfielder
• Caps: 49
• Goals: 10

Soldo

• Full Name: Zvonimir Soldo (1967-11-02)
• Date of Birth: November 2, 1967
• Position: Midfielder
• Caps: 61
• Goals: 3

Suker

• Full Name: Davor Šuker
• Date of Birth: January 1st, 1968 (1968-01-01)
• Position: Striker
• Caps: 69
• Goals: 45

Most International Matches Played

Most Appearances

Most Goals

Player Recognition & Awards

Team Honours

1998 FIFA World Cup: 3rd Place

Management

Head Coach: Slaven Bilić

A legendary centreback for his country, Bilić has now successfully taking up the Croatian managerial reins. Although not too experienced, he has been a good choice because of his years spent managing the U-21 team, from where many of the players graduated on to the senior squad. He relies on a large coaching staff to work with him, but also brings a wealth of international experience having played at the top level in Germany and England. He is a canny, clever, character who will do his utmost to ensure success for Croatia.

Uniforms

Home: red and white checkered shirt, white shorts

Away: blue shirt with white and red trim, blue shorts

Important Links

• http://www.sveosportu.com/hrvatskareprezentacijanogomet/Hrvatskareprezentacija.htm (in Croatian)
• http://www.hns-cff.hr/

References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatia_national_football_team
• http://www.hns-cff.hr/
• http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/countries/association=56370/news/index,page=1.htmx