Croatia coach: Slaven Bilic
The former national team defender has been in charge since July 2006. He previously led the Under-21s, bringing through such stars as Luka Modric and Eduardo Da Silva.
First coached at Hajduk Split, one of his former clubs as a player. Also appeared for Karlsruhe, West Ham and Everton. Bilic, 39, played 44 times for Croatia and was a member of the team that finished third at France 98.
Has a law degree, speaks four languages and plays guitar with two rock bands – Newera and Rawbau. Has composed a supporters’ anthem for Euro 2008 entitledVatreno ludilo (fiery madness).
The Croatian public expect you to reach the knockout stages. Can you do it?
Well, it’s not going to be that easy. Germany are big favourites, the tournament hosts – in this case Austria – are always dangerous, and Poland could be dark horses. As always at big tournaments, the hardest match is the first one – we face Austria in Vienna and we must win it. Maybe it would have been better to have a different schedule of games because the hosts tend to start with high ambitions. However, the match of truth for us will be the one with Germany.
Why?
Personally, I like big challenges. If we can consider ourselves better than Austria, we cannot say the same in relation to the Germans. For our young team it would be a tremendous boost if we could get a good result in that match. There is no better thing than to prove your strength against the favourites.
I believe in the abilities of my team, especially our creative players, who usually play their best against the best. They proved this against England at Wembley and against Italy, the world champions, in a friendly in Livorno [in 2006].
Is the current team capable of emulating the 1998 side, who finished third at the World Cup?
Our supporters were euphoric after qualification but we calmed down after [Eduardo] Da Silva’s injury. I don’t like to mourn and we have a very good team, but it’s undeniable that with Dudu we would be much more dangerous. We are going to be well prepared and highly motivated, and if we get a little luck we could probably go through. Then, in the knockout phase, everything is possible.
After the last three major finals, the Croatia coach – Jozic, Baric and Kranjcar – was replaced. You are the first one to get a two-year contract before the start of the finals.
I didn’t ask for that. However, there was so much media speculation about the matter that the contract was offered to me. It’s true that a few clubs were interested in me. But regardless of our results in the finals I feel that my work with the team is not finished. That’s why I decided to stay until 2010. Also, everybody knows that a contract does not guarantee survival in a position; the only guarantee for that is results. But I believe we will play better and better.
Which players are going to shine in the tournament?
I don’t want to think too much about that but I can say that some of our players are going to get complete affirmation. For example, Stipe Pletikosa or Luka Modric, probably Vedran Corluka and Mladen Petric. They are all young players with a real future. As a coach it’s very important that they, as well as me, are hungry for success.
Who will win the title?
I don’t think there will be a surprise like Greece in Portugal, which means the champions should be one of the big nations – Germany, Italy, France or Spain.
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