Slaven Bilic

Coach Slaven Bilic is on his way out -- barring a last-minute miracle that puts Croatia into the World Cup finals, newspapers said Wednesday. "Farewell", headlined Sportske Novosti. "Unless there's a miracle, Croatia will not go to the World Cup and will look for a new coach." Croatia play their final Group Six qualifier later Wednesday against Kazakhstan, needing a win to retain an unlikely chance of bagging a playoff place ahead of Ukraine. England, having already secured qualification, lost on Saturday to Ukraine who moved above the Croats. In their last qualifier, the Ukrainians play whipping boys Andorra, who have no points, three ... Read Full Story

ZAGREB (AFP) - Croatia coach Slaven Bilic on Friday stressed that his team had to win Saturday’s qualifier at home to Ukraine or risk missing out on the World Cup finals. The Croatians have been facing a major challenge to get out of Group Six ever since they were humbled 4-1 on their own soil last September by an England side inspired by Theo Walcott’s hat-trick exploits. With England now five points clear and still to host Croatia, Bilic says less than three points would be a failure as Saturday’s rivals themselves are still in the frame three points further back but with a ... Read Full Story

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic on Friday stressed that his team had to win Saturday's qualifier at home to Ukraine or risk missing out on the World Cup finals. The Croatians have been facing a major challenge to get out of Group Six ever since they were humbled 4-1 on their own soil last September by an England side inspired by Theo Walcott's hat-trick exploits. With England now five points clear and still to host Croatia, Bilic says less than three points would be a failure as Saturday's rivals themselves are still in the frame three points further back but with a game in hand. ... Read Full Story

Croatia onto quarters, Poland heads home 6/16/2008 6:49:49 PM Croatia celebrates the match’s lone goal. ( photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images ) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS KLAGENFURT, Austria - Ivan Klasnic scored Monday to give Croatia a 1-0 win against Poland in a European Championship match stripped of significance by Germany’s defeat of Austria in the other Group B match. The 28-year-old striker became the first kidney transplant recipient to play at the European Championship, and in the 53rd minute he swept in a left-footed shot from a cross by stand-in captain Danijel Pranjic at Worthersee Stadium for his ninth goal in 30 internationals. “I’m happy ... Read Full Story

Perennial underdogs Croatia bear the unusual tag of favourites going into their Euro 2008 quarter-final against a depleted Turkey side. Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has been boosted by the news that midfielder Ivan Rakitic is fit to return after a knee injury. Rakitic, 20, shone in the 2-1 win over Germany and the 1-0 victory over Poland after being left out of the opening 1-0 Group B triumph over Austria. Bilic declined to name his team but with Rakitic and winger Darijo Srna back to full fitness, Croatia are likely to use the 4-4-2 formation they employed against Germany before nine regular starters were ... Read Full Story