- Croatia at UEFA Euro 2008
-
Croatia participate din the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship, held from 7 to 29 June 2008. It was Croatia's third appearance in the tournament since its independence in 1991.
Euro 2008 primary kit 
Euro 2008 secondary kit Qualifications
Croatia was drawn into Group E of Euro 2008's qualifications, along with Andorra, England, Estonia, Macedonia, Israel and Russia.
Over the course of qualifying, Croatia racked up nine wins, two draws, and one loss. Croatia's loss was a 2–0 defeat at Skopje, Macedonia. Croatia and Romania became the final teams to record their first loss, both on the November 17, 2007 matchday, in a qualification cycle where every team suffered at least one defeat. Croatia gathered numerous headlines after knocking England out on the final matchday, with a 3–2 victory at Wembley Stadium.[1]
Croatian striker Eduardo was the second-highest goalscorer in qualifications with 10 goals, trailing Northern Ireland's David Healy.
September 6, 2006
19:00 MSDRussia 
0 – 0 
CroatiaLokomotiv Stadium, Moscow
Attendance: 27,500
Referee: M. González (Spain)Report
October 7, 2006
20:15 CESTCroatia 7 – 0 
AndorraMaksimir Stadium, Zagreb
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Anthony Zammit (Malta)Petrić 
12', 37', 48', 50'
Klasnić 58'
Balaban 62'
Modrić 83'Report
October 11, 2006
20:00 CESTCroatia 2 – 0 
EnglandMaksimir Stadium, Zagreb
Attendance: 38,000
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)Eduardo 61'
G. Neville 68' (o.g.)Report
November 15, 2006
19:00 ISTIsrael 
3 – 4 CroatiaRamat Gan Stadium, Ramat Gan
Attendance: 38,000
Referee: Eduardo González (Spain)Colautti 8', 89'
Benayoun 68'Report Srna 35' (pen.)
Eduardo 39', 54', 72'
March 24, 2007
20:15 CETCroatia 2 – 1 
MacedoniaMaksimir Stadium, Zagreb
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria)Srna 58'
Eduardo 88'Report Sedloski 36'
June 2, 2007
21:30 EESTEstonia 
0 – 1 CroatiaA Le Coq Arena, Tallinn
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)Report Eduardo 32'
June 6, 2007
20:30 CESTCroatia 0 – 0 RussiaMaksimir Stadium, Zagreb
Attendance: 38,000
Referee: Ľuboš Micheľ (Slovakia)Report
September 8, 2007
20:30 CESTCroatia 2 – 0 EstoniaMaksimir Stadium, Zagreb
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Jérôme Laperriere (Switzerland)Eduardo 39', 45+1'Report
September 12, 2007
18:00 CESTAndorra 0 – 6 CroatiaEstadi Comunal, Andorra la Vella
Attendance: 200
Referee: Olivier Thual (France)Report Srna 34'
Petrić 38', 44'
Kranjčar 49'
Eduardo 55'
Rakitić 64'
October 13, 2007
20:15 CESTCroatia 1 – 0 IsraelMaksimir Stadium, Zagreb
Attendance: 32,000
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany)Eduardo 52'Report
November 17, 2007
20:00 CETMacedonia 2 – 0 CroatiaSkopje City Stadium, Skopje
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)Maznov 71'
Naumoski 83'Report
November 21, 2007
20:00 GMTEngland 2 – 3 CroatiaWembley Stadium, London
Attendance: 88,091
Referee: Peter Fröjdfeldt (Sweden)Lampard 56' (pen.)
Crouch 65'Report Kranjčar 8'
Olić 14'
Petrić 77'The final standings were the following:
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Croatia12 9 2 1 28 8 +20 29 Russia12 7 3 2 18 7 +11 24 England12 7 2 3 24 7 +17 23 Israel12 7 2 3 20 12 +8 23 Macedonia12 4 2 6 12 12 0 14 Estonia12 2 1 9 5 21 −16 7 Andorra12 0 0 12 2 42 −40 0 Andorra — 0–6 0–3 0–2 0–3 0–2 0–1 Croatia 7–0 — 2–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 England 5–0 2–3 — 3–0 0–0 3–0 3–0 Estonia 2–1 0–1 0–3 — 0–1 0–1 0–2 Macedonia 3–0 2–0 0–1 1–1 — 1–2 0–2 Israel 4–1 3–4 0–0 4–0 1–0 — 2–1 Russia 4–0 0–0 2–1 2–0 3–0 1–1 — Notes on the tie-breaking situation:
- England and Israel are ranked by their head-to-head records:
- England – 4 pts (3–0 H vs Israel, 0–0 A vs Israel)
- Israel – 1 pt (0–0 H vs England, 0–3 A vs England)
Culture
Croatia has a history of popular music related to its national team's appearances at major tournaments. Croatian manager Slaven Bilić's band Rawbau, for which he plays guitar, released its single "Vatreno ludilo" shortly before the tournament, commemorating the nation's third-place finish at the World Cup a decade earlier.[2] Croatian defender Josip Šimunić also appeared on a football single by the German-Croat band Oprez, titled "Svaki".[3] Croatia Records released a compilation of football and patriotic songs before the tournament titled "Srce vatreno", with some proceeds going to a charity founded by members of the national team.[4]
Tournament preparation
Croatia has four warm-up friendlies before the tournament. The first two were played against the Netherlands and Scotland:
2008-02-06 Croatia 0-3 
NetherlandsPoljud, Split
2008-03-26 Scotland 
1-1 CroatiaHampden Park, Glasgow
The national team gathered in the Croatian city of Rovinj beginning on 18 May.[5] On May 23, the team held an open practice attended by 3,000 fans.[6] The team remained in the city until its match with Moldova on 24 May in Rijeka which it won 1-0.[7] The team stayed in its training camp in Slovenia until its final exhibition in Budapest. Croatia went on to tie Hungary 1-1 in its last preparation for the tournament.
2008-05-23 Croatia1-0 Moldova 
Kantrida, Rijeka
2008-05-31 Hungary 
v CroatiaStadium Puskás Ferenc, Budapest 1 1
The team travelled back to Zagreb after the match in Budapest. The team was greated by Croatian prime minister Ivo Sanader at the city's Sheraton Hotel.[8]
European Championship
At the Championship itself, Croatia was drawn into Group B along with tournament cohost Austria, Germany, and Poland. It will play all of its group-stage matches in Austria. Before the tournament, the team was confirmed to be based in Bad Tatzmannsdorf in Burgenland, Austria for the competition.[9] The Burgenland region is home to a native Croatian community. The Croatian Fanzone will be in the town of Sankt Andrä. A large concert has been planned for the Croatian fans on the first day of the tournament here.[10] The Croatian Football Federation has offered 300,000 euros to each player if Croatia wins the tournament.[11]
Roster
In February, Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva suffered a broken leg which will prevent him from participating in the tournament.
Head coach: Slaven Bilić
Assistant coaches:
Goalkeeper coach: Marijan Mrmić
- Squad announced on 5 May 2008.[12]
# Pos. Player Date of Birth (Age) Caps Goals Club 1 GK Stipe Pletikosa 8 January 1979 (29) 68 0 Spartak Moscow2 DF Dario Šimić 12 November 1975 (32) 98 3 
Milan3 DF Josip Šimunić 18 February 1978 (30) 61 3 
Hertha BSC4 DF Robert Kovač 6 April 1974 (34) 73 0 Borussia Dortmund5 DF Vedran Ćorluka 5 February 1986 (22) 19 0 Manchester City6 DF Hrvoje Vejić 8 June 1977 (30) 2 0 Tom Tomsk7 MF Ivan Rakitić 10 March 1988 (20) 7 1 Schalke8 MF Ognjen Vukojević 20 December 1983 (24) 4 1 Dinamo Zagreb9 FW Nikola Kalinić 5 January 1988 (20) 1 0 Hajduk Split10 MF Niko Kovač 15 October 1971 (36) 76 13 
Red Bull Salzburg11 MF Darijo Srna 1 May 1982 (26) 54 15 
Shakhtar Donetsk12 GK Mario Galinović 15 November 1976 (31) 2 0 
Panathinaikos13 MF Nikola Pokrivač 26 November 1985 (22) 1 0 
Monaco14 MF Luka Modrić 9 September 1985 (22) 25 3 Dinamo Zagreb[13]15 DF Dario Knežević 20 April 1982 (26) 6 1 Livorno16 MF Jerko Leko 9 April 1980 (28) 52 2 Monaco17 FW Ivan Klasnić 29 January 1980 (28) 28 8 Werder Bremen18 FW Ivica Olić 14 September 1979 (28) 53 9 Hamburg19 MF Niko Kranjčar 13 August 1984 (23) 40 7 Portsmouth20 FW Igor Budan 22 April 1980 (28) 5 0 Parma21 FW Mladen Petrić 1 January 1981 (27) 22 9 Borussia Dortmund22 MF Danijel Pranjić 2 December 1981 (26) 10 0 Heerenveen23 GK Vedran Runje 10 February 1976 (32) 4 0 LensHistory
Opponent Matches Victories Ties Defeats Goals scored Goals conceded First
matchLast
match Austria3 3 0 0 7 2 2:1 (on April 26, 2000) 4:1 (on May 23, 2006) Germany4 1 1 2 6 5 1:2 (on June 23, 1996) 1:2 (on February 18, 2004) 
Poland4 2 1 1 6 3 2:1 (on February 28, 1996) 0:1 (on June 3, 2006) Group stage
In its first game, Croatia beat Austria 1–0 off a Luka Modrić penalty shot. After beating Germany 2–1 in its second game, Croatia advanced to the quarter-finals as group winner.[14] In its final match, Croatia defeated Poland 1–0. Croatia's goal was scored by forward Ivan Klasnić, who became the first player with a kidney transplant to play or score in the tournament's history.[15]
Contents
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Croatia3 3 0 0 4 1 +3 9 Germany3 2 0 1 4 2 +2 6 Austria3 0 1 2 1 3 −2 1 Poland3 0 1 2 1 4 −3 1 Austria vs Croatia
2008-06-08
18:00Austria 0 – 1 CroatiaErnst Happel Stadion, Vienna
Attendance: 51,428
Referee: Pieter Vink (Netherlands)(Report) Modrić 4' (pen.)
AUSTRIA:GK 21 Jürgen Macho CB 15 Sebastian Prödl 
68'CB 3 Martin Stranzl CB 4 Emanuel Pogatetz 3'DM 6 René Aufhauser DM 19 Jürgen Säumel 21'
61'RM 2 Joachim Standfest LM 12 Ronald Gërçaliu 69'AM 10 Andreas Ivanschitz (c) CF 20 Martin Harnik CF 9 Roland Linz 73'Substitutions: MF 7 Ivica Vastić 
61'MF 11 Ümit Korkmaz 69'FW 18 Roman Kienast 73'Manager: Josef Hickersberger
CROATIA:GK 1 Stipe Pletikosa RB 5 Vedran Ćorluka CB 4 Robert Kovač 51'CB 3 Josip Šimunić LB 22 Danijel Pranjić RM 11 Darijo Srna CM 10 Niko Kovač (c) CM 14 Luka Modrić LM 19 Niko Kranjčar 61'CF 18 Ivica Olić 83'CF 21 Mladen Petrić 72'Substitutions: DF 15 Dario Knežević 61'FW 20 Igor Budan 72'MF 8 Ognjen Vukojević 83'Manager: Slaven BilićMan of the Match:
Stipe PletikosaAssistant referees:
Adriaan Inia
Hans ten Hoove
Fourth official:
Kristinn JakobssonCroatia vs Germany
2008-06-12
18:00Croatia 2 – 1 GermanyHypo-Arena, Klagenfurt
Attendance: 30,461
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)Srna 24'
Olić 62'(Report) Podolski 79'
CROATIA:GK 1 Stipe Pletikosa RB 5 Vedran Ćorluka CB 4 Robert Kovač CB 3 Josip Šimunić 45+1'LB 22 Danijel Pranjić RM 11 Darijo Srna 27' 80'CM 10 Niko Kovač (c) CM 14 Luka Modrić 90+3'LM 7 Ivan Rakitić SS 19 Niko Kranjčar 85'CF 18 Ivica Olić 72'Substitutions: FW 21 Mladen Petrić 72'MF 16 Jerko Leko 90+2' 80'DF 15 Dario Knežević 85'Manager: Slaven Bilić
GERMANY:GK 1 Jens Lehmann 90+2'RB 16 Philipp Lahm CB 21 Christoph Metzelder CB 17 Per Mertesacker LB 2 Marcell Jansen 46'RM 4 Clemens Fritz 82'CM 8 Torsten Frings CM 13 Michael Ballack (c) 75'LM 20 Lukas Podolski CF 9 Mario Gómez 66'CF 11 Miroslav Klose Substitutions: MF 19 David Odonkor 46'MF 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger 
90+2' 66'FW 22 Kevin Kurányi 82'Manager: Joachim LöwMan of the Match:
Luka ModrićAssistant referees:
Peter Hermans
Alex Verstraeten
Fourth official:
Stéphane LannoyPoland vs Croatia
2008-06-16
20:45Poland 0 – 1 CroatiaHypo-Arena, Klagenfurt
Attendance: 30,461
Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)(Report) Klasnić 53'
POLAND:GK 1 Artur Boruc RB 13 Marcin Wasilewski CB 14 Michał Żewłakow (c) CB 5 Dariusz Dudka LB 3 Jakub Wawrzyniak DM 19 Rafał Murawski DM 18 Mariusz Lewandowski 38' 46'RM 17 Wojciech Łobodziński 55'CM 20 Roger Guerreiro LM 8 Jacek Krzynówek CF 11 Marek Saganowski 69'Substitutions: DF 23 Adam Kokoszka 46'FW 7 Euzebiusz Smolarek 55'FW 21 Tomasz Zahorski 84' 69'Manager: Leo Beenhakker
CROATIA:GK 23 Vedran Runje RB 2 Dario Šimić (c) CB 6 Hrvoje Vejić 45'CB 15 Dario Knežević 27'LB 22 Danijel Pranjić RM 16 Jerko Leko CM 8 Ognjen Vukojević 85'CM 13 Nikola Pokrivač LM 7 Ivan Rakitić CF 17 Ivan Klasnić 74'CF 21 Mladen Petrić 75'Substitutions: DF 5 Vedran Ćorluka 27'FW 9 Nikola Kalinić 74'MF 19 Niko Kranjčar 75'Manager: Slaven BilićMan of the Match:
Ivan KlasnićAssistant referees:
Dimitris Bozatzidis
Dimitris Saraidaris
Fourth official:
Olegário BenquerençaCroatia vs Turkey
In a match that sparked much controversy and disappointment,[citation needed] Croatia were considered the unluckiest team of the tournament as they eventually lost to Turkey in the quarter-finals after a daunting match in Vienna. Having created but only a couple of chances at goal, Turkey were seen as no chance holders as Croatia continued a fairly impressive and strong performance. In the final minute of extra time, Ivan Klasnić eventually scored to put Croatia ahead with no time remaining. The referee became negative to the cause and disallowed a Croatian substitution from occurring and eventually trailed the match over the specified time limit. As a result, Turkey scored a last kick equaliser courtesy of Semih Şentürk to take the match to a penalty shootout. Croatia eventually lost 1–3 on penalties, with Modric, Rakitic and Petric each missing their respective spot kicks to hand Turkey an unbelievable victory. As many shock roamed around Croatia as a nation, Slaven Bilić went on to say "This defeat will haunt us for the rest of our lives". It was the final International game for long standing captain Niko Kovač who announced his retirement from international football midway during the tournament.
References
- ^ "With McClaren out, England needs something Special". CNN. 2007-11-30. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/the_limey/11/30/limey/. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ EURO 2008: Croatia's Slaven Bilic is an out-of-the-ordinary soccer coach, International Herald Tribune
- ^ Joe Šimunić also recorded a fan song!, Večernji list
- ^ Srce vatreno
- ^ Slaven Bilić: Important to start well
- ^ More than 3,000 people at Croatia's practice, Sportnet.hr
- ^ Rastrčavanje protiv Moldavije - Sportnet.hr
- ^ Sanader and Croatian national team at Sheraton Hotel
- ^ SportNet.hr
- ^ Thompson at Euro 2008
- ^ Croatia players offered Euro 2008 win bonus
- ^ "Bilic reveals Croatian Euro squad". BBC Sport. 2008-05-05. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7384243.stm. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
- ^ Luka Modrić will officially join Tottenham Hotspur after the tournament.
- ^ Croatia stun Germany, penalty saves Austria
- ^ Comeback kid Klasnic helps Croatia beat Poland, Associated Press
External links
Football in Croatia Croatian Football Federation National teams League system Domestic cups Seasons 2000–01 · 2001–02 · 2002–03 · 2003–04 · 2004–05 · 2005–06 · 2006–07 · 2007–08 · 2008–09 · 2009–10 · 2010–11 · 2011–12List of clubs · List of venues · List of players Categories: - England and Israel are ranked by their head-to-head records:
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