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Bilic names squad for EURO assault
By Elvir Islamovic from Zagreb
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There were no major shocks in Slaven Bilic's
squad (¿Getty Images)
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Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has named his squad for UEFA
EURO 2008T, with youngsters Manuel Pamic and Anas Sharbini also selected
as back-up.
No surprises
The 23-man party contains no major surprises, although AS Monaco FC midfielder
Nikola Pokrivac has earned a call-up for the first time. At 22, he is
enjoying a good run of form and has been identified as a real prospect
in a holding role.
Additional roles
Bilic has likewise opted to bring emerging talents Pamic and Sharbini
on board in back-up roles. "We chose 23 players and we are also taking
two youngsters," explained the coach. "Not because we want to
give them a chance to fit in or to thank them, but because they are young,
talented and playing in the positions we need."
Contract signed
The former national-team defender also put the finishing touches on his
two-year contract extension earlier today. "The final decision came
after the [3-2 qualifying] victory [over England] at Wembley [last November],
so the signing of the contract could have happened six or three months
ago," said Croatian Football Federation president Vlatko Markovic.
"Instead, it happened today. We are very happy to have Slaven Bilic
and his assistants."
Major impact
The Croats face Austria, Germany and Poland in Group B at this summer's
tournament and Bilic is hoping his squad will make a major impact. "We
have a goal to continue with our good work," said the 39-year-old.
"We have a difficult task ahead, but if we get a little luck we can
end up being proud."
Croatia squad
Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (FC Spartak Moskva), Vedran Runje (RC Lens),
Mario Galinovic (Panathinaikos FC).
Defenders: Dario Simic (AC Milan), Robert Kovac (BV Borussia Dortmund),
Josip Simunic (Hertha BSC Berlin), Vedran Corluka (Manchester City FC),
Dario Knezevic (AS Livorno Calcio), Hrvoje Vejic (FC Tom Tomsk).
Midfielders: Niko Kovac (FC Salzburg), Jerko Leko (AS Monaco FC), Darijo
Srna (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Niko Kranjcar (Portsmouth FC), Luka Modric
(Tottenham Hotspur FC), Danijel Pranjic (SC Heerenveen), Ivan Rakitic
(FC Schalke 04), Ognjen Vukojevic (NK Dinamo Zagreb), Nikola Pokrivac
(AS Monaco FC).
Forwards: Mladen Petric (BV Borussia Dortmund), Ivica Olic (Hamburger
SV), Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen), Igor Budan (Parma FC), Nikola Kalinic
(HNK Hajduk Split).
Reserves: Manuel Pamic (FC Salzburg), Anas Sharbini (HNK Rijeka).
Euro2008.uefa.com,
5 May 2008
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