Baric keeping an open mind

As the countdown to UEFA EURO 2004™ gathers pace, uefa.com considers what the coming months might hold for the 16 finalists. Today we look at Croatia.

By Elvir Islamovic

Having edged past neighbours Slovenia to qualify for UEFA EURO 2004™, Croatian attention is now turning to the finals in Portugal.

Tough draw
Otto Baric's side only made it into the qualifying play-offs after finishing ahead of Belgium thanks to a superior head-to-head record, and their subsequent victory against Slovenia was a tight affair, Dado Pršo scoring the solitary goal of the second leg after a 1-1 home draw. But as they face up to the challenge of a section comprising France, England and Switzerland, Baric is only looking as far as the next friendly against Germany on 18 February.

Baric's travels
"I will travel a lot in the next two months," Baric said. "I am going to visit countries and clubs where my candidates are playing. I will contact their coaches, talk to the players. It will be a huge battle for the 22 spots for EURO, especially for the first eleven. That has never been the case before."

Sablic tipped
Among those with a chance of inclusion is the FC Dynamo Kyiv defender Goran Sablic, without a cap since May 2002. "I will test him," Baric said. "Sablic is a quality defender." There is also 24-year-old SV Werder Bremen forward Ivan Klasnic, who is set for his first call-up against Germany, while another Bundesliga player, VfL Wolfsburg's Tomislav Maric, is fit again after an illness that has kept him out of international football since June. Baric has also been impressed by NK Dinamo Zagreb's 19-year-old captain Niko Kranjcar.

Pressure on coach
However, Liverpool FC defender Igor Bišcan is one player who is likely to be missing after walking out of the camp prior to the crucial qualifier against Bulgaria in October. Croatian Football Federation president Vlatko Markovic said: "As long as I am president he will not play in the national team." Markovic went on to warn that if Croatia did not reach the last eight in Portugal: "I cannot guarantee that Otto Baric will remain coach."

Key duo
Two players who could hold the key to Croatia's progress - and Baric's job - are Igor Tudor and Pršo. Juventus FC defender Tudor has struggled with injuries all season, and there will be many fingers crossed in Croatia over the next five months over his fitness. There are no such worries for Pršo, a scorer in both legs of the play-offs, whose excellent form for AS Monaco FC helped earn him the Croatian Player of the Year award.

'Not afraid'
For now the focus is on Germany, followed by further friendlies against Turkey, Slovakia and Denmark prior to the big kick-off in Leiria against Switzerland on 13 June. Baric is realistic about Croatia's chances come the summer. "We are playing against two teams better than us," he said. "France and England have many stars, but we are not afraid. I hope we can at least surprise England."