|
|
Slaven Bilic: Croatia are privileged to be drawn with Spain, Italy & Ireland at Euro 2012 but we can compete against them
2 Dec 2011 21:03:00
Slaven Bilic (Getty)
By Wayne Veysey in Kiev
Croatia manager Slaven Bilic has admitted that Spain are the best international team he has ever seen but is still confident that his side can rise to the occasion and emerge from a Euro 2012 group that also includes Italy and Republic of Ireland.
Bilic insists there is a "real possibility" that his maturing Croatia team can repeat their achievement of Euro 2008, when they were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the draw, Bilic was enthused by the prospect of taking on the reigning world and European champions. He said: "I share the same opinion with most of the people here and around the world. I can’t remember, and I’m 43, a team that is playing and dominating the game that Spain has done the last few years - they are the best.
"Our group is very tough. We are privileged that we have to play against the world and European champions, the previous world champions and against Ireland.
"I said a few days ago that this is the most cruel sport event and you can't get an easy group. I mean we could get a less attractive group like Group A, but believe me, we played Greece, I watched Russia and Czechs.
"If you take away Poland as hosts, the other 15 teams are top 15 ranked in Europe - that shows how hard this tournament is.
"Realistically, I really think we don't just have hope, but we have a real possibility and a real chance to pass the group stage. Spain are favourites for the whole tournament, but Ireland, Italy and Croatia have equal chance to be second for the group.
Bilic does not believe that Croatia can take much hope from Spain's string of friendly defeats or recent 1-0 defeat to England at Wembley.
"England stopped them playing but Spain were unlucky big time in that game. Spain are going to be up for it, definitely. They have a great manager, they have great professionals and are going to be ready for it. They are the favourites to win, but in qualification they had some problems against Czech Republic at home. They struggled against Scotland away, I think too. Spain is the top favourite.
"But we have enough time. Of course, we are going to be concentrated now on the first game against Republic of Ireland. Then Italy. Then Spain, but our priority is the first couple of games."
Bilic already knows plenty about the Republic of Ireland, who, like Croatia, qualified for the tournament through the play-offs.
He said: "Ireland have quality, spirit, fans and a great manager and I’m really looking forward to it. We played them in August. It was a friendly, a good game, but this will be totally different. I respect them sky high and I know the players. Some of them are my friends. We have a chance."
The Croatia boss explained that his side are different to the more experienced outfit that won their three group games in some style in 2008 before losing to Turkey at the last-eight stage.
"We have changed a lot," he said. "Some of the players have retired, we have put a lot of youngsters through and we were struggling with injuries. We have a new generation. That’s why we didn’t qualify for the World Cup last time, but in the last few months I’m sure and I know that we have matured a lot.
"I have a strong belief in my players. So many times they have shown theyare the best at playing the best so they are not going to be afraid. At the endof the day we are going to give everything to go through."
Croatia's first match at Euro 2012 will be against Ireland on June 10, before locking horns with Italy on June 14 and ending the group stage against Spain on June 18.
Croatia manager Slaven Bilic has admitted that Spain are the best international team he has ever seen but is still confident that his side can rise to the occasion and emerge from a Euro 2012 group that also includes Italy and Republic of Ireland.
| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £26.00 | Draw £32.00 | Ireland £25.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £29.00 | Draw £32.00 | Ireland £25.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £28.00 | Draw £32.50 | Ireland £25.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £29.00 | Draw £33.00 | Ireland £24.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £28.50 | Draw £31.00 | Ireland £23.50 |
|
Bilic insists there is a "real possibility" that his maturing Croatia team can repeat their achievement of Euro 2008, when they were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the draw, Bilic was enthused by the prospect of taking on the reigning world and European champions. He said: "I share the same opinion with most of the people here and around the world. I can’t remember, and I’m 43, a team that is playing and dominating the game that Spain has done the last few years - they are the best.
"Our group is very tough. We are privileged that we have to play against the world and European champions, the previous world champions and against Ireland.
"I said a few days ago that this is the most cruel sport event and you can't get an easy group. I mean we could get a less attractive group like Group A, but believe me, we played Greece, I watched Russia and Czechs.
"If you take away Poland as hosts, the other 15 teams are top 15 ranked in Europe - that shows how hard this tournament is.
"Realistically, I really think we don't just have hope, but we have a real possibility and a real chance to pass the group stage. Spain are favourites for the whole tournament, but Ireland, Italy and Croatia have equal chance to be second for the group.
Bilic does not believe that Croatia can take much hope from Spain's string of friendly defeats or recent 1-0 defeat to England at Wembley.
"England stopped them playing but Spain were unlucky big time in that game. Spain are going to be up for it, definitely. They have a great manager, they have great professionals and are going to be ready for it. They are the favourites to win, but in qualification they had some problems against Czech Republic at home. They struggled against Scotland away, I think too. Spain is the top favourite.
"But we have enough time. Of course, we are going to be concentrated now on the first game against Republic of Ireland. Then Italy. Then Spain, but our priority is the first couple of games."
Bilic already knows plenty about the Republic of Ireland, who, like Croatia, qualified for the tournament through the play-offs.
He said: "Ireland have quality, spirit, fans and a great manager and I’m really looking forward to it. We played them in August. It was a friendly, a good game, but this will be totally different. I respect them sky high and I know the players. Some of them are my friends. We have a chance."
The Croatia boss explained that his side are different to the more experienced outfit that won their three group games in some style in 2008 before losing to Turkey at the last-eight stage.
"We have changed a lot," he said. "Some of the players have retired, we have put a lot of youngsters through and we were struggling with injuries. We have a new generation. That’s why we didn’t qualify for the World Cup last time, but in the last few months I’m sure and I know that we have matured a lot.
"I have a strong belief in my players. So many times they have shown theyare the best at playing the best so they are not going to be afraid. At the endof the day we are going to give everything to go through."
Croatia's first match at Euro 2012 will be against Ireland on June 10, before locking horns with Italy on June 14 and ending the group stage against Spain on June 18.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Make Your Prediction Choose match
Spain - China
Spain
China
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Spain 8-0 China
- 20.91 %
-
Spain 4-0 China
- 14.53 %
-
Spain 5-0 China
- 11.33 %
21:50 BST -
And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
-
The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager
Kenny Dalglish's sacking at the end of the season sparked a massive hunt for the next Anfield boss, and the former Swansea man has been chosen after several turned the job down
