Croatia Vs Turkey Highlights Euro 2008 Quarter Finals:
Stage: Euro 2008 Quarter Finals
Venue: Ernst Happel Stadion
Date: June 20, 2008
Kick-Off Time: 19.45 (UK Time)
Croatia Vs Turkey Starting Eleven:
Croatia Probable Starting Lineup:
Coach: Slaven Bilic
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Stipe Pletikosa
Defence: Corluka, Josip Simunic, Robert Kovac, Danijel Pranjic
Midfield: Darijo Srna, Niko Kovac, Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic
Forwards: Niko Kranjcar, Ivan Klasnic
Turkey Probable Starting Lineup:
Coach: Fatih Terim
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Rustu Recber
Defence: Hamit Altintop, Haken Balta, Servet Cetin, Emre Asik
Midfield: Gokdeniz Karadeniz, Kazim Kazim, Mehmet Topal, Arda Turan
Forwards: Tuncay Sanli, Nihat Kahveci
Full Video Highlights of Turkey Vs Croatia in Euro 2008 quarter finals.
Full Match Highlights
First Half Highlights
Penalty Kick Highlights
Goals
Germany Vs Croatia Highlights and Video Euro 2008 on June 12, 2008. Second Half Highlights Goals
Germany Vs Croatia Euro 2008 Highlights :
Stage: Group B
Venue: Wortherseestadion
Date: June 12, 2008
Germany Vs Croatia Starting Lineup/Eleven :
Germany Probable Starting Lineup :
Coach: Joachim Loew
Formation: 4-4-2
Defence: Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Metzelder, Marcell Jansen
Midfield: Clemens Fritz, Torsten Frings, Ballack, Podolski
Forwards: Klose, Gomez
Croatia Probable Starting Lineup :
Coach: Slaven Bilic
Formation: 4-4-2
Defence: Dario Simic, Robert Kovac, Simunic, Vedran Corluka
Midfield: Niko Kovac, Luka Modric, Darijo Srna, Niko Kranjcar
Forwards: Ivan Rakitic, Ivica Olic
First Half Highlights
Croatia stunned Germany by beating them 2-1 in their Group B fixture.
GERMANY
Lehmann: 6- Beaten twice but not at fault for either goal. Let down by Jansen for the first and beaten by a wicked deflection for the second. He pulled off a top reflex save in the first half to deny Kranjcar.
Lahm: 6- Another quiet game from Lahm. We didn’t see him getting forward as much as he does with Bayern, and he had to switch to left back in the second half as Löw switched things around.
Mertesacker: 6.5- Began the game very well blocking and intercepting everything the Croats threw forward, but was helpless to stop them scoring twice.
Metzelder: 6- Metzelder still looked a long way off the pace at times, but is getting through on defensive ability and cleverness. Lost possession cheaply at times, but did get back late on to deny Modric a goal scoring chance.
Jansen: 4.5- Jansen had a bit of a nightmare. Looked good going forward but hopeless defensively. Lost Srna in the box for Croatia’s opener and was hauled off by Joachim Löw at half time
Frings: 6.5- Solid enough but not his dynamic best.
Ballack: 6.5- Captain Ballack did his best to drive the team forward in the second half after going 2-0 down. His header ultimately lead to Podolski’s goals late on.
Fritz: 6- Had a better game than last time out against Poland, but not much of a threat going forward. Had to drop back to full back at half time with Jansen going off and Lahm switching flanks.
Podolski: 7- Another goal for the Bayern striker but it wasn’t enough to spare the Germans defeat. Seems to be enjoying his new role out on the left of midfield.
Klose: 5- A rather anonymous game from the German striker. Difficult to remember any threatening chances on goal.
Gomez: 6- The number one German striker had another quiet game and failed to really threaten the Croat goal. Substituted in the second half for Schweinsteiger.
Subs:
Odonkor: 5- Didn’t really have the desired impact after being brought on at half time
Schweinsteiger: 5- Did inject a little skill and direction after coming on, but blotted his copy book by becoming the first player sent off at this summer’s finals
Kuranyi- n/a
CROATIA
Pletikosa: 6.5- Not too busy overall but did produce a fine save from Ballack in the first half. Helpless to stop Podolski’s goal in the second period.
Corluka: 6.5- A good overall display from the Manchester City full back. Didn’t venture forward as much as Panic on the other flank.
R. Kovac: 7.0- A solid defensive performance from Kovac although the danger from Klose and Gomez wasn’t as great as he may have feared prior to the game. His weak header set-up Podolski for the German goal.
Simunic: 7.0- A fine display from the Hertha Berlin defender alongside Kovac at the heart of the Croatian defence.
Pranjic: 7.5- The Heerenveen full back made plenty of forays forward and looked secure at the back. Secure in defence and a threat going forward.
Srna: 8.0- The Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder had a very good game running himself into the ground before being substituted in the second half. He scored the first goal and was a constant threat with his deliveries from corners and free kicks.
N.Kovac: 7.0- There was some tough tackling from the Salzburg midfielder, and while unspectacular, he performed an important job for Croatia in the heart f the midfield allowing the likes of Modric and Kranjcar forward
Kranjcar: 7.0- A fine display from the Portsmouth midfielder. He was pushed a little further forward to support the lone striker Olic. He wasted a glorious chance to make it 2-0 in the first half after firing straight at Lehmann. Used possession well.
Modric: 8- Ever busy and always looking to create. He kept going right to the end and very nearly got on the end of a good counter attack only to be denied by the stronger Metzelder.
Rakitic: 7.0- The Schalke midfielder had a fine game and linked play up well. It was his cross that was deflected onto the post leading to the second goal from Olic.
Olic: 7.5- The Croat lone striker ran himself into the ground before being replaced in the second half by the fresher Petric. He was rewarded for his efforts with the second goal of the evening.
Subs:
Petric: 6- Did well when brought on to provide fresher legs after Olic had tired.
Leko: 5- The main talking point will be the incident that led to the sending off of Schweinsteiger. He was pushed but he went down rather theatrically.
Knezevic: n/a
Although the result went the way of the form-book, Croatia would not have expected to work as hard as they did.
The co-hosts gave a credible account of themselves and proved they are no national disgrace. Josef Hickersberger has instilled a resiliency and steel into this previously toothless side.
The spine of the team, from Sebastian Proedl through Rene Aufhauser and Andreas Ivanschitz, worked well at limiting the duration of Croatian possession.
Luka Modric, a pain for opposition when he is in possession, was limited to mere touches, and was unable to mould the game to his will. Croatia's most effective attacking performer was Hamburg's Ivica Olic who ran himself ragged as his side worked hard for their win.
Austria:
Jurgen Macho: 6 - His first task was to fetch the ball from the net and he subsequently dealt admirably with the Croatian threat.
Emanuel Pogatetz: 5.5 - Has a rash streak that was close to being detrimental this evening. Lucky not to be sent off but his tenacity and commitment cannot be doubted.
Sebastian Proedl: 6.5 An assured performance from the Sturm Graz centre back. Rarely made it easy for the Croatians to play around him and was a threat from set-pieces-
Martin Stranzl: 6.5 - Lent a physicality to the Austrian rear-guard and made it uncomfortable for Petric to gain space.
Rene Aufhauser: 5.5 An uncharacteristic and costly error from Austria‘s most experienced squad member. Recovered well however and managed to have an influence.
Andreas Ivanschitz: 8 - Pulled the strings in the centre of midfield with an array of clever passes and threatening set-pieces.
Jurgen Saeumel: 7 - Worked tremendously well during the first half and ultimately ran out of steam. A good enforcer in midfield.
Ronald Gercaliu: 6 - Had limited opportunities to deliver crosses. An average performance, but did keep tabs on Corluka.
Joachim Standfest: 6.5 - Was efficient in his wing-back position, both attacked and defended with vitality and steel. Missed Austria’s best chance.
Martin Harnik: 7 - Showed glimpses of the technique that makes him a highly rated young forward. The Werder Bremen man made the most of his second half space to cross, shoot and pass capably.
Roland Linz: 6 - Struggled for space and ball-time during the first half alongside Harnik. Whereas his strike partner found space as the game progressed, Linz remained somewhat peripheral.
Substitutes
Umit Korkmaz: 7 - Used his pace and power well to trouble Corluka in the latter stages. Made a significant impact.
Ivica Vastic: 7 - The veteran used his experience to conjure space for his colleagues. Unlucky with his only chance, a header.
Ronald Kienast: 7 - Had Austria’s last opportunity and showed flickers of effectiveness. If he had started, he may have found his range.
Croatia:
Stipe Pletikosa: 7 - Had a lot to deal with as the game went on and looked steady. Got lucky on two occasions when the ball escaped his grasp. Nonetheless, a clean sheet.
Verdan Corluka: 7 - Was more comfortable going forward than back and was troubled by Korkmaz in the latter stages. A consistent performance, he did not put a foot wrong.
Daniel Pranjic: 6.5 - The Heerenveen man is filling a problem position for Slaven Bilic’s side and was exposed on occasion by Harnik and Standfest.
Robert Kovac 7.5: An uncompromising display from the Dortmund centre back. Organises the line well.
Josip Simunic 7: Not his first choice position for Croatia, Simunic covered capably for the ring-rusty Dario Simic. His imposing frame meant that little escaped the Dortmund man in the air.
Niko Kovac - 5.5: An efficient user of the ball, his game is more suited to prolonged Croatian possession. Was made occasionally anonymous and struggled against imposing opposition.
Luka Modric - 6: Used the ball well when he had it. He struggled to find possession as the Austrians rampaged forward and showed a tendency to go missing.
Darijo Srna - 6.5: A threat due to his abilitiy at dead balls. Imbued his side with penetrative and forceful running.
Niko Kranjcar - 5.5: Suffered more than most on his team without the ball at his feet. Was practically anonymous aside from intermittent one-touch passes.
Ivica Olic - 8.5: Drew three bookings and earned a penalty due to his persistent and determined nature. A valuable asset to Bilic’s plans. Unlucky not to score.
Mladen Petric - 7: Gave sporadic examples of why he is so highly rated. Pressed his opponents high up the pitch but was a little naïve with his only meaningful chance.
Substitutes
Dario Knezevic - 6: Slotted in midfield to attempt prevent Austrian raids. Almost conceded a penalty with slipshod control.
Orgjen Vukojevic - n/a: Replaced Olic but did not have the opportunity to make an impression.
Igor Budan - 6: The Parma man may have more of a significant impact as the tournament progresses. He was forced to feed off scraps after his introduction.
Original analysist from goal.com
Euro 2008 Group B - Game 3 - Croatia got their Euro 2008 campaign off to a winning start on Sunday when a fourth-minute Luka Modric penalty proved enough to beat co-hosts Austria 1-0 in the opening game of Group B.
Stern Opening Test For Co-Hosts
As co-hosts of the tournament, there is extra pressure on Austria to succeed at Euro 2008 - yet the portents are not promising for Austrian fans. Apart from the fact that they are drawn in Group B with Germany, Poland and their first opponents, Croatia, all of whom qualified impressively, Austria lack big tournament experience, competitive preparation and current form going into Sunday's opener. In contrast, Croatia are viewed by many as potential 'dark-horse' winners of Euro 2008.
It is 10 years since Austria last qualified for a major tournament - the 1998 World Cup - and their participation in Euro 2008 was secured as co-hosts rather than through a qualifying group. In fact this will be Austria's first-ever appearance in a European Championship, as they failed to qualify on every one of their previous attempts. Their underdog status is underlined by the fact that they are by some distance the lowest-ranked team involved in Euro 2008, having slipped out of the top 100 in Fifa's official rankings following a poor run of just one win in 14 matches up to the start of this year.
On the other hand Croatia, who were quarter-finalists at Euro 96 and finished third at the 1998 World Cup in France, looked a fluid and potent attacking force during their qualifying campaign,. the highlight of which was beating England convincingly home and away. However, the Croats suffered a body blow in February, when star striker Eduardo da Silva had his leg shattered playing for Arsenal at Birmingham. The Brazilian-born forward had contributed 10 goals in 12 qualifiers, and his absence is bound to be felt by Slaven Bilic's side. He had been the attacking focal point of an adventurous 4-1-3-2 system deployed by Bilic, a departure from the more physical approach adopted in the three preceding tournaments (World Cup and Euros) when Croatia, having qualified, got no further than the group stages.
Hickersberger's Optimism Heavily Qualified
Even Austria's coach, Josef Hickersberger, only feels his team have a 40 per cent chance of beating Croatia. But although they have lost all three of their previous matches against the Croats, Hickersberger insists his side should not be written off prematurely, and says home advantage underpins his 40 percent prediction. "Croatia are a world-class team," he said, "so my prediction is very optimistic. But if we have a good day and a little bit of luck, we can beat Croatia."
Remarkably for a national team about to embark on the biggest event their history, Hickersberger has had to address poor discipline within his squad this week. He said some of the Austrian players lacked concentration in training, while one arrived late for a team meeting.
"The team was not as focused anymore as it was before, the attitude just wasn't right," complained the coach. "We can't afford that, even if the rainy conditions were difficult. If we are not 100 percent sharp against Croatia on Sunday, we have a huge problem."
The Austrians were held to a 1-1 draw by Nigeria in a friendly last week before thrashing Malta 5-1, but Hickersberger feels his side can get through a tough group. "We have set ourselves a big goal," he said. "We want to reach the quarter-finals and in the last days I have become more optimistic.
"We don't need to go to the betting shop to know our rivals are all favoured ahead of us. However, we have the home advantage and we have a chance of getting points. I know it was not ideal that we let Malta and Nigeria score goals but this happens to teams like Germany too. We will work on it," he added. He has been working on it for a while, struggled to achieve a balanced side that can consistently get results.
Bilic Believes
For Slaven Bilic, the challenge is somewhat different: he believes his side are capable of winning the whole tournament, but following the loss of Eduardo he has to get his players believing too. He is convinced he has the players available to improve on Croatia's Euro 96 and 04 showings, and possibly spring a surprise.
"I believe that we are strong enough to take the title," he said. "The team is both good and solid, we qualified for the Euros from one of the more difficult groups and we most notably of all beat England on two occasions during the qualifiers.
"On paper, there are the usual favourites: Germany, France and Italy. You could also include Spain and Holland. And the English too would have also been among the favourites...if they had qualified."
One of Bilic's key creative forces, Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar, claims victory on Sunday is vital. "I always say the most important thing is to win the first game. I think we've proven over the last two or three years that we really have a team that can beat anyone. If we prepare well, we're a team who can give anyone a good game. Hopefully with a bit of luck, we can go pretty far."
Bilic is looking to Kranjcar, new Spurs signing Luka Modric, and Mladen Petric to provide the midfield invention that can drive Croatia to a new level of achievement. "Our top three players should be 100 per cent inspired throughout the tournament and the rest of the team will have to be at their best too if we are to progress from our group," said the coach.
"We won't reach the quarter-finals just by keeping it tight at the back. We need our three magicians Modric, Kranjcar and Petric to make things happen. These strikers are the best we have, not including Eduardo da Silva, whose absence is obviously a severe blow because the whole team played better when he was with us. However, he didn't take us to Euro 2008 on his own and we must make do without him. I've faith in the players who are here and we are convinced they will start firing on all cylinders at a crunch time. They are top-level strikers who score regularly for their clubs so it's not time to sound alarm bells, but we have to improve."
Croatia were less than impressive in beating Moldova 1-0 last week, then drawing 1-1 with Hungary on Saturday, and Bilic knows things will need to improve the moment the tournament gets underway. "We have been a threat to our rivals far too rarely, we have to be more aggressive," he said. "We defend as a team and we have to attack as a team too, meaning that our midfield must carve out more supply routes to the strikers.
FORM GUIDE
Austria
The Austrians had a morale-boosting 5-1 win over Malta in their final friendly before Euro 2008, with goals from Rene Aufhauser, Roland Linz (2), Ivica Vastic and Martin Harnik. It was only Austria's second victory in 16 matches.
Prior to that they drew 1-1 with Nigeria when Roman Kienast put them ahead on 13 minutes, only for Kalu Uche to equalise for Nigeria six minutes later.
Previously, Holland stunned Austria by coming back from a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 in a thrilling friendly at the end of March. The Austrians looked sure to notch a famous victory over Marco van Basten's side when they went three up inside the opening 36 minutes through Ivan Ivanschitz and Sebastian Prodl (two). But Klaas Huntelaar pulled one back before the break, and Johnny Heitinga, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Huntelaar again left Austria shell-shocked and beaten.
Croatia
Niko Kovac scored at either ends as Croatia were held to a 1-1 draw by Hungary in their last match before Euro 2008.
Kovac had also headed the only goal of the game as Croatia beat Moldova 1-0 in their penultimate fixture. leading up to Euro 2008.
In their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, Croatia's results were:
06/09/06 v Russia (A) 0 - 0
07/10/06 v Andorra (H) 7 - 0
11/10/06 v England (H) 2 - 0
15/11/06 v Israel (A) 4 - 3
24/03/07 v FYR Macedonia (H) 2 - 1
02/06/07 v Estonia (A) 1 - 0
06/06/07 v Russia (H) 0 - 0
08/09/07 v Estonia (H) 2 - 0
12/09/07 v Andorra (A) 6 - 0
13/10/07 v Israel (H) 1 - 0
17/11/07 v FYR Macedonia (A) 0 - 2
21/11/07 v England (A) 3 - 2
TEAM NEWS
Austria
Emanuel Pogatetz is expected to be available after suffering a calf injury in training, manager Hickersberger saying there was only a small chance he wouldn't be fit in time to face Croatia.
But Hickersberger was forced to make a late change to his squad when goalkeeper Helge Payer suffered a blood circulation problem. Payer was replaced by Ramazan Ozcan, but the coach was coy about whether Alex Manninger or Jurgen Macho would be his first-choice goalkeeper.
He was keeping his players on their toes during the week, saying in midweek that although he had a team in his head to play against Croatia, he wanted to use the remaining training sessions for the players to show their best.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jurgen Macho (AEK Athens), Alex Manninger (Siena), Ramazan Ozcan (Hoffenheim).
Defenders: Gyorgy Garics (Napoli), Ronald Gercaliu (Austria Vienna), Martin Hiden (Austria Carinthia), Markus Katzer (Rapid Vienna), Jurgen Patocka (Rapid Vienna), Emanuel Pogatetz (Middlesbrough), Sebastian Proedl (Sturm Graz), Martin Stranzl (Spartak Moscow).
Midfielders: Rene Aufhauser (Salzburg), Christian Fuchs (Mattersburg), Andreas Ivanschitz (Panathinaikos), Umit Korkmaz (Rapid Vienna),Christoph Leitgeb (Salzburg), Jurgen Saeumel (Sturm Graz), Joachim Standfest (Austria Vienna), Ivica Vastic (Linz).
Strikers: Martin Harnik (Werder Bremen), Erwin Hoffer (Rapid Vienna), Roman Kienast (Ham-Kam), Roland Linz (Braga).
Croatia
Slaven Bilic has named his strongest team to face Austria, and said he will be keeping to the same formation he used in Croatia's recent friendlies against Moldova and Hungary.
That suggests the team will be:
Stipe Pletikosa; Vedran Corluka, Robert Kovac, Josip Simunic, Danijel Pranjic; Darijo Srna, Niko Kovac, Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar; Mladen Petric, Ivica Olic.
Bilic added that, "The mood is excellent, but the nerves are increasing – a positive nervousness. Be sure we'll give everything we can; we'll be a top team. We'll be better than Austria as we're capable of controlling the match. Like in Formula 1, a good start is so important in the first game. All the best to women, but football is the most beautiful thing in the world."
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak Moscow), Vedran Runje (Lens), Mario Galinovic (Panathinaikos).
Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Manchester City), Dario Simic (Milan), Robert Kovac (Borussia Dortmund), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin), Dario Knezevic (Livorno), Hrvoje Vejic (Tomsk).
Midfielders: Danijel Pranjic (Heerenveen), Nikola Pokrivac (Monaco), Niko Kovac (Salzburg), Luka Modric (Dinamo Zagreb), Jerko Leko (Monaco), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dinamo Zagreb), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Niko Kranjcar (Portsmouth), Ivan Rakitic (Schalke).
Strikers: Mladen Petric (Borussia Dortmund), Ivica Olic (Hamburg), Igor Budan (Parma), Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen), Nikola Kalinic (Hajduk Split).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austria
Sporting Braga striker Roland Linz is said to be a summer target for Premier League clubs West Ham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Fulham. He will be leading the Austrian attack as he was last week against Malta when he scored twice and was watched by representatives of up to five English clubs. Linz, 26, scored 11 league goals for Sporting and will be hoping to impress would-be suitors during the tournament.
A spokesman for his agency was quoted as saying: "There has been interest in Roland from the Premiership and a number of clubs were watching him again at the Malta game. But he is focused on the Euros at the moment and we will see what happens after the tournament."
Linz's international team-mate, Martin Harnik, is another one to watch, a highly promising young forward who will turn 21 during the tournament. He has made a name for himself with Werder Bremen and also scored on his international debut as a substitute against the Czech Republic last August.
Croatia
Midfielder Luka Modric starred for Croatia against England in the qualification campaign and has now agreed to join Tottenham in a £15.8million deal from Dinamo Zagreb. Before arriving at White Hart Lane, though, Modric wants to make a big impact at Euro 2008. He is seen as the natural successor to Croatian hero Robert Prosinecki and has been compared by some with the great Johan Cruyff, often deployed in the middle of the pitch, but with the freedom to make the sort of penetrative forward runs that unhinged Steve McClaren's England.
Modric said: "That game with England at Wembley was not that important to us in terms of needing the points. But we wanted to show all the footballing world that Croatia have a very, very good team. We did our best in that game to demonstrate that. I was sorry for England - but in every game we want to be successful and we want to do well at the European Championships. In our qualification group to reach the finals, we played some very good football and won against some strong teams. I believe Croatia have the qualities to come in the first two in this summer's finals. That is the first goal and after that we will see what happens."
Croatia manager Bilic commented: "Tottenham is perfect for Luka. It is better for him than, for example, going to Chelsea. Chelsea could have bought him, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho and then Luka could have ended up on the bench."
In the absence of Eduardo, Modric will have additional responsibility - from central midfield he will be expected to dictate the tempo of the match, but will need strikers to convert the chances he create.
Another of Bilic's squad, Niko Kranjcar, is already established in the Premier League at Portsmouth, with whom he won the FA Cup last month. He is being linked with a possible move to Arsenal, although he insists he is happy at Fratton Park. Kranjcar is expected to provide the creativity in harness with Modric and Mladen Petric.
PREDICTION
Austria legend Hans Krankl suggested that the country's fans needed to be "realistic" about their team's chances. Krankl said getting past the group stage would be a "great, great success." That put their prospects into sharp perspective, and although Greece upset the odds in sensational style four years ago when surprising many by winning Euro 2004, few are expecting Austria to cause a similar shock, even on home turf. The backing of the crowd will be vital to the team, but as the weakest (lowest-ranked) team in the competition without as yet a settled side, Croatia - one of the world's top 13 teams - look the likelier winners. The Croats looked slick and inventive in qualifying, and although expectations are high, which can be a problem, and Eduardo is missing, which is a burden, they should ease past the co-hosts.
Austria 0-2 Croatia
Arsenal’s Croatian striker Eduardo Da Silva, who suffered a horrific leg break earlier this year, said doctors had given him the all-clear to return to action in August, Croatian sports daily Sportske Novosti reported on Friday.
The 25-year-old Brazilian-born Croatian has been recovering since mid-April in a clinic in Rio De Janeiro and his return is good news as just in March, he had believed his recovery would take 15 months.
Eduardo suffered a compound fracture of the left leg following a tackle from Birmingham defender Martin Taylor at St Andrews in February.
“I am returning to Europe from Brazil at the beginning of August, perhaps even the end of July,” Da Silva told Sportske Novosti. “Doctors tell me by then I will be fully recovered and able to play football again. I hope so too.
“I’m feeling well and my rehabilitation is going better than I would ever have hoped.”
Croatia are in Group B of the June 7 to 29 Euro 2008 finals and will face Austria on June 8, Germany on June 12 and Poland four days later.
The recent absence of Eduardo, who has scored 13 goals in 18 matches for his country, has been a huge disappointment for coach Slaven Bilic. His replacement in the meantime has been 28-year-old Dortmund striker Mladen Petric.
A modest Eduardo had faith in his colleagues at the 16-nation tournament in Austria and Switzerland.
“I think the boys will play very well without me,” Da Silva said. “They’ll get through the group and, after that, we’ll have to wait and see.”
Croatia football coach Slaven Bilic is to record a fan song for the Euro 2008 championship with his rock band, producers said Friday.
“Coach Bilic told us in January that he had a song that sounded good. The song is very catchy, a classic rock tune and I believe that fans will like it and that it will become their hymn,” Vlatka Bartulovic, a spokeswoman of Zagreb brewery, producers of the song, said.
The video clip will be recorded in southern Split, Bilic’s hometown, on Saturday, she added.
Bilic and his Rawbau band where he is playing a guitar will present the “Fiery madness” song, authored by him, in May.
Croatia will face Germany, Austria and Poland in Group B at the Euro 2008 finals, which are to be held in Austria and Switzerland on June 7-29.
