Euro 2016 Preview - Group D - Croatia:

Continuing on with Group D now and Croatia: 

Nickname: "Vatreni" ("The Blazers")

Absurd FIFA ranking: 23rd

Coach: Veteran Croatian gaffer Ante Cacic

Match Schedule: 

June 12 - Croatia v. Turkey (Paris, 9am EST, ESPN)
June 17 - Croatia v. Czech Republic (St. Etienne, 12pm ESPN)
June 21 - Croatia v. Spain (Bordeaux, 3pm, ESPN)

Prospects: Ante Cacic presides over the another Central European side that's more than the sum of its parts. The squad is thin but there is quality throughout the spine, including a defense led by Shakhtar Donetsk's Diego Srna, a midfield diamond with Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic at the base and Real Madrid's Luka Modric at the top, and giant Juve striker Mario Mandzukic up front. That should be just enough to see them out of a competitive group and might even see them spring a few surprises along the way.

Key Player: Rakitic makes this Croatia side tick.

Youngster to Watch: 21 year-old Dinamo Zagreb striker Marko Pjaca could be a more mobile foil for Mandzukic.

Who Will Get the Goals: Mandzukic is the main target man for Cacic's side.

Who Will Get the Cards: Liverpool's Dejan Lovren has learned the dark arts in the Premiership.

Prediction: Just edging out Turkey in Group D will bring up a Round of 16 match-up with highly fancied Belgium. Knocked out in a 4-3 thriller.