Croatia remain in command
Friday, March 21, 2008
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Belgium 0-4 Croatia
Croatia continued their stately progress at the top of Elite round Group 2 on home soil with a comfortable victoryagainst Belgium and are one point from the finals.
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Second win
Having beaten Denmark 3-0 on Matchday 1, the mini-tournament hosts went one better today. Mato Ivanović and Andrej Kramarić both converted penalties and Sime Vrsaljko and Niko Maričić were also on target as Croatia made it five games in this season's competition without conceding.
Point needed
Switzerland remain in contention after following up a draw against Belgium with a 1-0 defeat of Denmark, but Croatia need only a point against the second-placed team on Monday to seal a finals berth in Turkey. And Croatia coach Ivan Gudelj has a good omen to look to – in the 2005 finals in Italy, his side beat a Switzerland team then as now under Yves Débonnaire 5-2 in the last group game to reach the semis. Eliminated Belgium play Denmark needing a draw to ensure at least third place.