Kranjcar gets Croatia chance
Wednesday, November 5, 2003
Article summary
Croatia have picked young forward Niko Kranjcar in the squad to face Slovenia in the UEFA EURO 2004™ play-offs.
Article body
Rising star
Kranjcar, Dinamo's youngest-ever captain at 19, and arguably the country's rising star, has finally won his place in the squad for the match in Zagreb on 15 November. Baric will then revise his list ahead of the second leg in Ljubljana four days later. The coach said: "We are not favourites for these matches, but with the right discipline and effort we can look forward to EURO 2004™."
Home base
HNK Hajduk Split defender Mato Neretljak and NK Kamen Ingrad forward Zoran Zekic are the other home-based players selected in a 22-man party. However, midfield player Jurica Vranješ is unlikely to be fit for either game after suffering a groin injury playing for VfB Stuttgart against Panathinaikos FC in the UEFA Champions League.
Croatia squad
Pletikosa, Butina, Šimic, Tomas, R Kovac, Zivkovic, Šimunic, Tokic, Neretljak, Tudor, Leko, Vranjes, Rapaic, Rosso, N Kovac, Babic, Srna, Kranjcar, Mornar, Pršo, Olic, Zekic.
