Final 23 names for Croatia

The final 23 names for Croatia’s EURO 2008 squad have been announced by coach Bilic:

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak Moscow), Vedran Runje (Lens), Mario Galinovic (Panathinaikos).

Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Manchester City), Dario Simic (AC Milan), Robert Kovac (Borussia Dortmind), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin), Dario Knezevic (Livorno), Hrvoje Vejic (Tomsk).

Midfielders: Danijel Pranjic (Heerenveen), Nikola Pokrivac (Monaco), Niko Kovac (Salzburg), Luka Modric (Tottenham), Jerko Leko (Monaco), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk); Niko Kranjcar (Portsmouth), Ivan Rakitic (Schalke)

Forwards: Mladen Petric (Borussia Dortmund), Ivica Olic (Hamburger SV), Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen), Igor Budan (Parma), Nikola Kalinic (Hajduk Split)

That’s two changes since the last selection, Manuel Pamic and Anas Sharbini aren’t in anymore but have been nominated as reserves.

Three English Premiership players are in the selection: Luka Modric (Tottenham Hotspur), Vedran Corluka (Man City) and Niko Kranjcar (Portsmouth).

Croatia beat Moldova in friendly

In preparation of EURO 2008, Croatia played a friendly match against opponents Moldova on Saturday. Niko Kovac scored the only goal to beat Moldova by 1-0.

The Croatian skipper headed in a corner taken by Ivan Rakitic at the 30-minute mark. Other than that the game was a bit bland with both coaches trying various combinations of players and tactics. However Luka Modric put in a good performance.

You can see the goal and a glimpse of Luka Modric here:

Croatia: Pletikosa, Ćorluka, R. Kovač (Vejić 46), Šimunić (Šimić 46), Pranjić, Modrić, N. Kovač (Pokrivač 59), Vukojević (Leko 73), Rakitić, Budan (Kalinić 62), Olić (Klasnić 46).

Moldova: St. Namasco, Lascencov, Rebeja, Epureanu, Golovatenco, Zmeu (Cebotari 69), Se. Namasco, Gatcan (Andronic 79), Comleonoc (Suvorov 74), Frunza (Aleksejev 79), Bugaiov (Ovsevnikov 60).

Modric in the News

The Age posted an article “Croatia Squad Penpix” featuring the 25 players selected for EURO 2008.

This is what they have to say about Luka Modric:

Luka Modric (Tottenham Hotspur). Midfielder. Born 9.9.85. Caps 24. Goals 3.
Croatia’s bid to reach the last eight relies heavily on his tireless running, incisive runs and passing. The driving force of the team’s engine room was signed by Spurs in April for a fee of 21 million euros ($32.69 million) after six excellent seasons with Dinamo Zagreb, where he scored 25 goals in 87 appearances.

The International Herald Tribune also posted a great article today on Croatia’s chances in the European Cup. They are tipping to see Croatia and Germany promote from Group B and Croatian players Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar and Ivica Olic making a major impact.

Croatia and Modric gearing up for EURO 2008

With the European Championship 2008 now less than three weeks away, all teams are preparing for the start of the tournament. Also Croatia is hopeful of doing well, and it’s placing its hopes on playmaker Luka Modric for that. Slaven Bilic, coach of the national team said: “When he plays, Croatia is at its best!” So far, Modric played 24 matches for the national team and scoring 3 goals. It doesn’t sound like much, but his real strength is giving assists and dictating the play.

Modric was also quoted saying: “I know all eyes are on me right now, but I believe we could achieve a good result only through team play, and not some individual heroics.”

Croatia is fielding a team of which the main strength is its midfield where the talented duo Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar can do magic on the ball.

Last sunday, the first seven players of the Croatian national team gathered together for training on the Adriatic coast, in the town of Rovinj to start preparing for Euro 2008. The first in line were Vedran Corluka, Nikola Kalinic, Manuel Pamic, Anas Sharbini, Ognjen Vukojevic, Niko Covac and of course also Luka Modric. “Stipe Pletikosa and Ivica Olic will arrive on Monday, while the others will show up by Wednesday” Bilic told the press. The coach also said that they will start with training once to twice per day, and focusing on physical readiness. He also added that the first match against hosts Austria will be the key one. Also in light of a good preparation, on Saturday they will play a match against Moldova in Rijeka and another one against Hungary on the last day of May, in Budapest.

For some more information on Croatia’s chances and their team for Euro 2008, read this excellent article.

Luka Modric Video Compilation

Just found this new video on youtube, a very nice compilation of some great goals, passes and tricks by Luka Modric from various matches:

Spurs looking for Modric Mates: Eto’o or Bentley?

Looking to strengthen the attacking side of the team, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is apparently trying to bring a new striker to White Hart Lane. It is reported that he’s going to Spain to set up a deal to sign the Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o. Eto’o is currently playing for Barcelona but they won’t let him go for cheap price… A hefty price tag of £15M is said to be required. This comes shortly after the recent transfer of Luka Modric for £16M.

However, not only Eto’o is in Tottenham’s crosshairs, but also Blackburn Rover’s David Bentley and Morten Gamst Pedersen, rumours go that they would transfer for £15M and £4M respectively.

Luka Modric in Football Manager 2008 (aka FM2008)

I guess every football fan who also likes playing a game on the pc, knows (or should know!) the Football Manager series (formerly Championship Manager) from Sports Interactive. It gets updated every year with all transfers and other improvement over earlier versions. The latest iteration is Football Manager 2008 (PC). With this game, you can take over the managers role of pretty much any club anywhere in the world. Set up your team tactics and training regimes, improve the stadium or buy new players. And of course you can also buy Luka Modric! At the start of the game in summer 2007 he is still with Dinamo in Croatia. Check the FM2008 screenshots below to see what he looks like in the game:

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Modric selected for EURO 2008 squad

Today, Slaven Bilic, coach of the Croatian national team announced his selection for the European Championship in Austria and Switzerland. Not really surprising, Luka Modric is also part of the team.
“It’s a mixed team, composed of older, but also younger players,” said Bilic, who also extended his contract with the national team by two years through to 2010.
Croatia is part of the tough Group B with Germany, Austria and Poland as competitors.

The Croatian selection for EURO 2008:

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak Moscow), Vedran Runje (Lens), Mario Galinovic (Panathinaikos).

Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Manchester City), Dario Simic (AC Milan), Robert Kovac (Borussia Dortmind), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin), Dario Knezevic (Livorno), Hrvoje Vejic (Tomsk).

Midfielders: Danijel Pranjic (Heerenveen), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donesk), Niko Kovac (Red Bull Salzburg), Luka Modric (Tottenham), Niko Kranjcar (Portsmouth), Jerko Leko (AS Monaco), Ivan Rakitic (Schalke), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dinamo Bucharest), Nikola Pokrivac (AS Monaco), Manuel Pamic (Red Bull Salzburg), Anas Sharbini (Rijeka).

Forwards: Mladen Petric (Borussia Dortmund), Ivica Olic (Hamburger SV), Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen), Igor Budan (Parma), Nikola Kalinic (Hajduk Split)