Croatia
Group F | World ranking: 23 Qualification: Won European Group 8
Coach: Zlatko Kranjcar
Key Players: Robert Kovac (defender), Dado Prso (forward), Nico Kranjcar (forward)
Past Record: Third place 1998, Group stage 2002 Group F Matches:
June 13: Brazil (Berlin)
June 18: Japan (Nuremberg)
June 22: Australia (Stuttgart) Croatia were hugely impressive in an unbeaten qualification campaign, topping their group and defeating highly-rated Sweden both home and away. Those results ultimately proved decisive as failure to win in Malta meant they only avoided the play-offs by virtue of a better head-to-head record over the Scandinavian side. Since the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, Croatia have qualified for each of the three finals and whilst the present squad lacks the creative flair of players like Zvonimir Boban and Robert Prosinecki, they are still a potent attacking force with coach Kranjcar's son, Nico, a potential match-winner on his day. SquadGoalkeepers:
1. Stipe Pletikosa (Hajduk Split)
12. Joseph Didulica (Austria Vienna, Austria)
23. Tomislav Butina (FC Bruges, Belgium) Defenders:
3. Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin, Germany)
4. Robert Kovac (Juventus, Italy)
5. Igor Tudor (Siena, Italy)
7. Dario Simic (AC Milan, Italy)
11. Mario Tokic (Austria Vienna, Austria)
13. Stjepan Tomas (Galatasaray, Turkey) Midfielders:
2. Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine)
6. Jurica Vranjes (Werder Bremen, Germany)
8. Marko Babic (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
10. Niko Kovac (Hertha Berlin, Germany)
14. Luka Modric (Dynamo Zagreb)
15. Ivan Leko (FC Bruges, Belgium)
16. Jerko Leko (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine)
19. Niko Kranjcar (Hajduk Split)
20. Antony Seric (Panathinaikos, Greece) Forwards:
9. Dado Prso (Rangers, Scotland)
17. Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen, Germany)
18. Ivica Olic (CSKA Moscow, Russia)
21. Bosko Balaban (FC Bruges, Belgium)
22. Ivan Bosnjak (Dynamo Zagreb)
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