Croatia squad unchanged for Israel

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ZAGREB, Croatia -- Croatia coach Slaven Bilic named an unchanged squad on Monday for the Euro 2008 qualifier away against Israel in Tel Aviv on November 15.

Both sides have seven points from three Group E games and Bilic believes Israel will provide a harder test than England who the Croatians defeated 2-0 earlier this month.

"We have made a very good start, but now we face an opponent which has not lost for 13 games. Their advantage is also that they can play at home again," said Bilic.

"Israel has a respectable team and I expect the game in Tel Aviv to be tougher than the one in Moscow or against England in Zagreb, but we're not afraid and, fortunately, all my players are at disposal and in good shape."

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Shakhtar Donetsk), Vedran Runje (Besiktas)

Defenders: Dario Simic (AC Milan), Anthony Seric (Panathinaikos), Robert Kovac (Juventus), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin), Hrvoje Vejic (Tomsk), Dario Knezevic (Livorno), Vedran Corluka (Dinamo Zagreb)

Midfielders: Niko Kovac (Salzburg), Jerko Leko (AS Monaco), Marko Babic (Bayer Leverkusen), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Milan Rapaic (Standard Liege), Niko Kranjcar (Portsmouth), Luka Modric (Dinamo Zagreb)

Forwards: Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen), Mladen Petric (Basel), Ivica Olic (CSKA Moscow), Bosko Balaban (Club Bruges), Eduardo Da Silva (Dinamo Zagreb)

Markovic optimistic

Meanwhile Croatian FA chief Vlatko Markovic said on Monday he was convinced a joint bid with Hungary to stage Euro 2012 had a strong chance of success despite recent troubles involving Croat fans.

"Following my recent contacts with our European partners, I can say that we have considerable chances to stage the European Championship in 2012," he revealed.

He said a recent meeting with UEFA president Lennart Johansson in Budapest only boosted his hopes. "Johansson said it would be fair and good that small nations get the event now," Markovic said.

Croatia and Hungary are competing against Italy and a joint bid from Poland and Ukraine. UEFA had originally planned to decide on the host in December, but then postponed the decision until April next year.

Markovic dismissed speculation that recent troubles involving Croat supporters could threaten the bid.

UEFA charged the Croatian and English Football Associations last week for incidents in and outside Dinamo Zagreb's Maksimir Stadium, where Croatia beat England 2-0 in Euro 2008 qualifier on October 11.

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