SQUAD PROFILE: Croatia

[bluejock]

Manager - Slaven Bilić

Squad

Goalkeepers - Stipe Pletikosa (FC Rostov), Ivan Kelava (GNK Dinamo Zagreb), Danijel Subašić (AS Monaco FC)

Defenders - Jurica Buljat (Maccabi Haifa FC), Vedran Ćorluka (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Danijel Pranjić (FC Bayern München), Gordon Schildenfeld (Eintracht Frankfurt), Josip Šimunić (GNK Dinamo Zagreb), Darijo Srna (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Ivan Strinić (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Domagoj Vida (GNK Dinamo Zagreb)

Midfielders - Milan Badelj (GNK Dinamo Zagreb), Tomislav Dujmović (FC Dinamo Moskva), Ivo IliÄević (Hamburger SV), Niko KranjÄar (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Luka Modrić (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Ivan PeriÅ¡ić (Borussia Dortmund), Ivan Rakitić (Sevilla FC), Ognjen Vukojević (FC Dynamo Kyiv)

Forwards - Eduardo (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavić (Everton FC), Mario Mandžukić (VfL Wolfsburg), Ivica Olić (VfL Wolfsburg)

Croatia are first up from the tournament's second "Group of Death" featuring themselves, Italy, holders Spain, and Ireland. They qualified for the finals through the playoffs. After finishing second in their group to Greece, they confidently saw off Turkey 3-0 on aggregate to advance.

The squad features Everton's sharp angled, boss slotter (copyright C. Azul) Nikica Jelavic although he's unlikely to start as he's fourth choice behind Olic, Mandžukić and the very Croatian Eduardo. In goal will be Stipe Pletikosa who is always boss on Footy Manager (SIGN HIM UP MOIST FFS) and the defence features Danijel Pranjić of Bayern Munich and the evergreen Darijo Srna.

Jock's player to watch is Tottenham's Luka Modrić. Despite having by his standards, a poor season, the pint sized playmaker has the ability to change a game with his range of incisive passing and an eye for goal from distance.

Prediction

Unlikely to progress through the group, but may upset Italy, possibly to Ireland's advantage. Group stages only for Bilic's boys.

 

[Nails]

I personally have them down as qualifying out of their group. Italy to have a shocker!

 

[Alio]

Boss Kits. Must remember to read through all these when I get home, there's so many! Good work though dude

 

[teppic]

I fancy Croatia to have another boss tournament.

Jelavic is going to carry them to the semis.

 

[Roztitute]

Nananananana...

 

[BlueLlama]

Jelavic has made me love the tablecloth wearing tykes after Bilic made me hate them.

If Jelavic carries his instinctive finishing into a higher level then they could seriously upset the big boys.

Interesting group this one

 

[Bigmaclad]

Jelavic to score a bicycle kick in the Final. Put your life savings on it.

 

[Azzurri]

Nananananana...

Batman!

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Heard good things about Perisic from Dortmund. Looking forward to seeing this type of player rather than the established stars

 

[tommye]

I love Jelavic but they play in red and white. For that reason I am out.

 

[tommye]

p.s. More pics of filthy Croatian ladies please. Thanking you.

 

[The Equaliser]

Hopefully they will be content with getting a point in the first game, as will we. Don't want Jelavic to get on in this game as he is liable to score FFS. Then they can get him on in the next games to do some damage to Italy and Spain. Dangerous opponents though.

 

[Roztitute]

p.s. More pics of filthy Croatian ladies please. Thanking you.

Yes please. The girls up there A) not filthy enough B) about 11 years old.

 

[tommye]

Yes please. The girls up there A) not filthy enough B) about 11 years old.

which was why i asked for pictures of filthy Croatian ladies.

 

[Elong]

Suker. What a player. Croatia have gone a bit gash lately though haven't they? Going to struggle I reckon.