Croatia squad
Goalkeepers
Mario GALINOVIC
15.11.76
Panathinaikos (Gre)
2 caps (0 goals)
Strong, experienced keeper who will be third-choice at the finals. A regular starter for Panathinaikos.
Stipe PLETIKOSA
08.01.79
Spartak Moscow (Rus)
67 caps (0 goals)
One of the team’s key players. Excellent on his line and confident. Recently signed a new four-year contract with Spartak Moscow but still wants to play in England eventually.
Vedran RUNJE
10.02.76
Lens (Fra)
4 caps (0 goals)
Virtually unbeatable in one-on-one situations and excellent with the ball at his feet. Won the Belgian League’s keeper of the season award three times when with Standard Liege.
Defenders
Vedran CORLUKA
05.02.86
Manchester City (Eng)
18 caps (0 goals)
Started as a stopper but given the right-back berth by Bilic. Has an excellent understanding with Srna in front of him and joins in on counter-attacks. Very fast and also good in the air.
Dario KNEZEVIC
20.04.82
Livorno (Ita)
6 caps (1 goal)
Very confident stopper, excellent in the tackle and rarely makes mistakes. Fully recovered from a bad skull injury suffered in a game for Livorno.
Robert KOVAC
06.04.74
Borussia Dortmund (Ger)
72 caps (0 goals)
Still the backbone of the defence even though not as commanding as in the past. Appears nervy, probably because of a lack of action at club level. Born in Berlin, as was midfielder brother Niko.
Danijel PRANJIC
02.12.81
Heerenveen (Hol)
9 caps (0 goals)
Pacy left wing-back with excellent dribbling skills. A precise passer and has a strong shot.
Dario SIMIC
12.11.75
Milan (Ita)
97 caps (3 goals)
Most capped Croatian and the last survivor from the France 98 generation. Plays as a stopper or right-back and is an excellent tackler. However, he lacks first-team games at club level.
Josip SIMUNIC
18.02.78
Hertha Berlin (Ger)
61 caps (3 goals)
Left-back who has also recently played as a stopper. Considered one of the most ruthless players in the Bundesliga but is nevertheless good technically. Born in Australia.
Hrvoje VEJIC
08.06.77
Tom Tomsk (Rus)
1 cap (0 goals)
Well liked by Bilic for his versatility – he can play as a stopper or defensive midfielder – and willingness to take a substitute role. Excellent in the air.
Midfielders
Niko KOVAC
15.10.71
Salzburg (Aut)
75 caps (12 goals)
Charismatic captain and the team’s engine. Also shoots well from distance. Renowned for his combativeness but, at the age of 36, has said this will be his last international hurrah.
Niko KRANJCAR
13.08.84
Portsmouth (Eng)
40 caps (7 goals)
Forms a strong central midfield partnership with Modric, has a powerful, precise shot, is good technically and keeps possession well. His fitness has improved during his time in England.
Jerko LEKO
09.04.80
Monaco (Fra)
51 caps (2 goals)
Hard-running midfielder with a strong shot whose natural role is on the right as a substitute for Srna. However, he is also first in line to replace Niko Kovac if the skipper fades.
Luka MODRIC
09.09.85
Dinamo Zagreb
24 caps (3 goals)
The team’s brain and best player – has superb technique and distribution skills. Reminiscent of Johan Cruyff. Bilic once said: “Only Kaka is better than Modric. He’s unstoppable, hard even to foul.”
Nikola POKRIVAC
26.11.85
Monaco (Fra)
0 caps
Responsible and versatile youngster – he can play as a defensive midfielder, stopper or left-back. A true team player. His selection depends on whether he sees much action for Monaco.
Ivan RAKITIC
10.03.88
Schalke (Ger)
6 caps (1 goal)
The Switzerland-born youngster is Croatia’s new jewel. Excellent technically, has good dribbling skills and can play on either flank. Pushing for a starting place.
Darijo SRNA
01.05.82
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukr)
54 caps (15 goals)
Important player who offers mobility and dribbling skills down the right but also takes on defensive responsibilities. Dead-ball specialist and has a strong shot. Links well with Corluka.
Ognjen VUKOJEVIC
20.12.83
Dinamo Zagreb
3 caps (1 goal)
A real pitbull with never-say-die attitude, reminiscent of Gennaro Gattuso. However, he commits a lot of fouls. Could replace Niko Kovac in the long run.
Forwards
Igor BUDAN
22.04.80
Parma (Ita)
4 caps (0 goals)
Powerful forward with excellent aerial ability. However, he has been sidelined for some time by a leg injury.
Nikola KALINIC
05.01.88
Hajduk Split
0 caps
League top scorer and the new star of Croatian football. Has a strong, direct style and dribbles well. Interesting a number of the biggest European clubs.
Ivan KLASNIC
29.01.80
Werder Bremen (Ger)
27 caps (8 goals)
Back in action and scoring again after undergoing two kidney transplants in the past year. The Hamburg-born forward is fast, robust and has a good eye for goal. Known as “Killer” in Germany.
Ivica OLIC
14.09.79
Hamburg (Ger)
52 caps (9 goals)
Strong, fast left-footer, particularly good on the counter-attack. Can come up with stunning goals out of the blue but equally his shooting can be wild and he is prone to surprising mistakes.
Mladen PETRIC
01.01.81
Borussia Dortmund (Ger)
22 caps (9 goals)
Usually a second striker and had an excellent partnership with Eduardo Da Silva. Now, following the latter’s injury, Petric is main man. Has a precise shot, dribbles well and is adept at creating space.
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