World Cup Preview - Group F - Croatia

Croatia:

Coach: Zlatko “Cico” Branjcar.

Game Schedule:
June 13 – Croatia vs. Brazil (3 p.m. EST)
June 18 – Croatia vs. Japan (9 a.m.)
June 22 – Croatia vs. Australia (3 p.m.)

Prospects: Croatia qualified for this summer’s finals by topping Sweden in Group 8 of Uefa qualifying. The strength of Croatia has always been a fierce team spirit forged during the civil war of the 90s and several players from the side that came third in 1998 are still hanging on. This will give them vital experience and yet, may weigh against them once they get to the Round of Sixteen. Branjcar dropped no surprises in his squad, so Croatia will undoubtedly play together well as a tight unit that know each other well. Whether this will be enough to get them to the late stages as it did in 98, only time will tell.

Key Players: Brothers Robert and Niko Kovac, who play for Juve and Hertha Berlin respectively, anchor the back four for a Croatian side that is quite a bit more defensive minded than the Davor Suker/Zvonimir Boban side of the 90s.

Youngster to watch: Leverkusen schemer Marco Babic.

Who Will Get the Goals: Rangers giant Dado Prso – top scorer in qualifiers.

Who Will Get the Cards: Siena hatchet man Igor Tudor. Even his name is frightening.

Funniest Name: Midfielder Jerko Leko.

Prediction: Croatia will no doubt place second behind Brazil unless there is the biggest of upsets. This puts them on a collision course with Italy. Out in the Round of Sixteen.