Croatia have qualified for every major football competition since 2002. The Blazers have made a good name of themselves on the international stage. They are among the top nations to watch at Euro 2012.

Croatia qualified for Euro 2012 after going through the play-offs.How Croatia qualified for Euro 2012

Croatia occupied Pot 1 ahead of the group stages draw for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers. They fell in a section containing minnows like Malta, Georgia and Latvia. Israel and Greece completed the 6-team table.

Euro 2008 quarter-finalists Croatia started off their qualification campaign on a high. They produced a convincing performance and triumphed 3-0 in Latvia. The Blazers’ two defeats in the 2012 European Championship qualifiers came away to Georgia and at home to Greece.

 

In Georgia, Kobiashvili netted a 90th minute winner for the hosts to down the Croatians. On home soil, the latter suffered a late demolition against Greece with Samaras and Gekas scoring within the last 20 minutes of the game to clinch a 2-0 victory.

These negative results came at a cost for the Croatians who finished second by 2 points behind Group F winners Greece. In the play-offs, Croatia beat Turkey 3-0 on aggregate. Olic, Mandzukic and Corluka did the job in the first leg with a goal each at the Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul.

Who is Croatia’s coach?

Croatia’s manager is Slaven Bilic. He works with 3 assistants – Aljosa Asanovic, Nikola Jurcevic and Marijan Mrmic. 43-year-old Slaven Bilic is best known for his charismatic personality which is marked by his love for music and his tight relationship with Croatia’s players.

In one of his interviews with the press, Bilic stated that "with the greatest respect to women, football is the most beautiful thing in the world." This quote is one of many to have made the headlines.

Slaven Bilic has been at the head of Croatia’s coaching staff since August 1, 2006. As a player, he won the 1992 Croatian Cup and Croatian First League among a few more titles with Hajduk Split.

Bilic had spells in England with West Ham United between 1996 and 1997 and with Everton from 1997 to 2000. He was also part of the Croatian national team that finished third at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

Who are Croatia's key players?Luka Modric and Ivica Olic are important members in the Croatian national football team.

Luka Modric

You cannot talk about Croatia's best players and exclude Luka Modric. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder combines pace, tricks and intelligence on the pitch.

It is of no surprise that he is the prey of bigger clubs like Chelsea. During Euro 2012, Luka Modric will be under pressure to concentrate on his football and not on transfer rumours circulating in the media.

However, this should be an easy job for the 26-year-old midfielder. Overcoming distraction is something he has been doing at Tottenham Hotspur since a number of years now. Luka Modric was named in the UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament. Ahead of Euro 2012, he has been tipped to produce yet another stellar performance for Croatia.

Ivica Olic

Veteran striker Ivica Olic is nearing the end of his career. At the age of 32, Euro 2012 could represent his last major competition with Croatia.  For Olic, playing upfront will be a matter of taking chances - something he failed to do in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final as his missed penalty helped Chelsea to beat Bayern Munich.

Croatia’s Euro 2012 squad

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa, Danijel Subasic, Ivan Kelava

Defenders: Domogoj Vida, Vedran Corluka, Josip Simunic, Gordon Schildenfeld, Ivan Strinic, Danijel Pranjic, Jurica Buljat

Midfielders: Darijo Srna, Tomislav Dujmovic, Ognjen Vukojevic, Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Niko Kranjcar, Milan Badelj, Ivo Ilicevic

Forwards: Ivica Olic, Nikica Jelavic, Mario Mandzukic, Eduardo da Silva

Who are Croatia’s Euro 2012 group opponents?

Croatia are in Group C with European Championship titleholders Spain, 2006 World Cup winners Italy and the Republic of Ireland. The Blazers will camp in Warka, Poland.

Croatia’s group matches schedule

June 10, 2012: Republic of Ireland vs Croatia – Municipal Stadium, Poznan
June 14, 2012: Italy vs Croatia – Municipal Stadium, Poznan
June 18, 2012: Croatia vs Spain – PGE Arena, Gdansk

Find more on Croatia’s live streaming and TV schedule info page.

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking

Croatia are 5th in Europe and 8th in the world.