Tough draw makes Croatia outsiders in Euro 2012 outright betting
Perennial dark horses Croatia are 40/1 with bwin to pull of the ultimate surprise at this summer’s tournament.
Euro 2012 resembles the end of an era for Croatia, who line up in Group C beside holders Spain, Italy and Republic of Ireland.
Experienced campaigners Stipe Pletikosa, Josip Simunic, Danijel Pranjic, Dario Srna and Ivica Olic are all the wrong side of 30, and manager Slaven Bilic has already agreed to take up the reins at Lokomotiv Moscow after the tournament.
It’s a feeling reflected in bwin’s outright price of 40/1, though the Vatreni boast a good record in European Championships since gaining independence in 1991.
Inspired by Davor Suker in 1996, Croatia made the quarter-finals, and, after famously defeating England in the qualifiers, they repeated the feat four years ago in Austria and Switzerland, getting through a group with eventual finalists Germany.
| World Cup Qualifiers - European Zone - Group A | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serbia win | £46.00 | (13/10) | ||
| Draw | £66.00 | (23/10) | ||
| Croatia win | £55.00 | (7/4) | ||
If Modric and Jelavic live up to expectation then second place in Group C is well within Croatia’s reach, which could set up an interesting potential knock-out clash with England or France.
Despite talk of a decline, the Croats are more than capable of claiming the title of tournament dark horses, and possess a host of talented players well known to English fans.
Tottenham trio Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar and Vedran Corluka are guaranteed starters, while former Arsenal striker Eduardo has a deadly international strike rate with 22 goals from 45 appearances.
Modric is particularly key to Croatia’s chances. The midfield playmaker faces another summer of transfer speculation, and a battle with Spanish maestros Xavi and Andres Iniesta can be no better way to impress suitors.
And in Nikica Jelavic, the Vatreni have one of Europe’s in-form strikers and a good outside bet for the tournament’s golden boot. The Everton hitman has struck 11 times in 16 matches since his January move from Rangers, making him the fastest player to reach ten goals for the Goodison side in a century.
If Modric and Jelavic live up to expectation then second place in Group C is well within Croatia’s reach, which could set up an interesting potential knock-out clash with England or France.
They may attract few backers this summer, but after Greece in 2004, Bilic and Croatia will believe anything is possible.
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