Croatia enter their 3rd successive finals and will search for a repeat of the heroics of 1998 rather than the humiliation of 2002. They topped a tricky qualifying group which involved Bulgaria and Hungary and remained unbeaten more than 10 matches which incorporated property and absent victories about fellow qualifiers Sweden.
Under supervisor Zlatko Kranjcar Croatia are a special staff to how neutrals will remember them from their 1998 exploits which saw them reach the semi-ultimate. Gone are flair players like Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinecki and former Golden Boot Davor Suker. They are already replaced by far more practical gamers like the Kovac brothers, Marko Babic and Dado Prso.
Like fellow qualifiers Serbia & Montenegro, Croatias success stemmed from a solid defence where by they stored 6 clear sheets in 10 video games and conceded just 5 plans in the procedure.
A different strength is often a selection of the current Croatia squad are located in the Bundesliga, with Josip Simunic and Niko Kovac at Hertha Berlin, Babic based at Bayer Leverkusen and Ivan Klasnic contracted to Werder Bremen.
Croatia have unearthed a expertise in midfielder Dario Srna that has created a knack for scoring vital ambitions. The Shakhtar Donetsk player scored both of those aims in The 2 1-0 wins in excess of Sweden within the defining matches with the team.
Critical striker Dado Prso scored five aims in qualifying, his countrys joint top rated scorer with Srna. He burst into prominence when he netted four ambitions for Monaco inside the 8-three Champions League thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna. He designed his Worldwide debut 8 months just before the match but has considering that become an automated decision in attack.
Croatia https://www.washingtonpost.com/newssearch/?query=스포츠중계 have gone regarding their organization quietly and confidently and Regardless of their unbeaten qualification efforts, will continue being unfancied by several for making any effect in the finals. That will go well with them high-quality as previous coach Mirko Jozic blamed the tension on The category of 1998 with the dismal failure of your 2002 squad which saw them lose one-0 to Ecuador inside their closing match.
Last but not least, they experience favourites Brazil in their opening match so will likely not have to bother with dealing with the reigning champions in a very crunch group decider. If they might get something from that sport they will be in pole placement to reaching the second round.
Advisable Bet
Despite the apparent toughness of the team, Croatia are in excess of able to qualifying from it presented their modern showings in qualifying for the finals. With one of several meanest defences in 스포츠중계 Europe and a number of players plying their trade in Germany They're a audio bet to comply with Brazil into the final sixteen.
