Gleeful Croats make England suffer

(CNN) -- In recent years, long-suffering England fans have adopted the theme tune from the classic war movie "The Great Escape" as their unofficial campaign anthem.

At certain points in recent days, the choice appeared especially apt.

First of all, Israel's win over Russia at the weekend restored England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 when a Russian victory would have meant certain elimination.

Then, Croatia's unexpected defeat in Macedonia left England needing just a draw at home against the Croats -- who had already advanced themselves -- to make the finals.

And finally, after falling two goals behind in disastrous fashion in front of an expectant Wembley on Wednesday, England nonetheless appeared set for the finals once again after hauling themselves level with an improbable fightback.

But perhaps England fans had forgotten that, in the film's iconic scene, after defying the odds, even Steve McQueen's attempt to leap into Switzerland on a motorbike ends in noble failure.

England's Steve though was McClaren, not McQueen, and ultimately there was nothing noble about his side's shoddy 3-2 defeat -- sealed by Mladen Petric's 77th minute strike -- at the end of an even shoddier qualifying campaign that finally extinguished his ambition to lead England to Austria and Switzerland next summer.

Yet England's woes and McClaren's inevitable defenestration have unfairly stolen the spotlight from their opponents, who produced a stunning performance to cap their own accomplished qualifying campaign -- Skopje aside -- in deserved fashion.

Croatia have long been an underrated force in world football with a formidable record for a nation that has existed in a sporting sense for little more than a decade.

Croatia reached the quarterfinals of Euro 96 after qualifying for a major tournament at their first attempt following independence from the former Yugoslavia. Two years later, they finished third in their first appearance in a World Cup finals, with Davor Suker taking home the top scorer's Golden Boot for good measure.

Since then they have qualified for two more World Cups in 2002 and 2006, both times undefeated in qualifying, as well as for Euro 2004. Incredibly as well, Croatia remain undefeated in competitive matches on home soil.

One crucial factor behind Croatia's current resurgence has been the appointment of coach Slaven Bilic, an inspired and canny performer for his country at France 98.

Though inexperienced in managerial terms, the 39-year-old, once a cult hero at West Ham, has made no secret of his pleasure at completely out-witting McClaren -- and his cast of highly-rated superstars -- twice.

"I read in the papers that not one Croatian player would get in the England team. I strongly advise you to wake up," Bilic told English journalists.

Throughout the campaign Croatia have played with the fluidity and shape of a club side -- a credit to Bilic's tactical, organisational and motivational talents.

"I think you have all seen it -- this is one of the best national teams I have witnessed in the last five years," Bilic said. "The players did everything I told them, and a little bit more of their own which God gave them. We are good, very good."

Good enough to win Euro 2008? After Greece's unlikely success in Portugal in 2004, anything is possible. Depending on the draw and form next year, at least three-quarters of the 16 qualifiers could enter the tournament believing they have a realistic chance -- but Croatia just might be a better outside bet than most. E-mail to a friend