Match Links
- European Championships
- Group B
- 16th Jun 2008
- KO 19:45
- Att: 30,000
Bilic the brave
Chris Burton believes that Slaven Bilic is working minor miracles with his Croatia side.
Last updated: 16th June 2008
Bilic: Man on a mission
If there is a manager who encompasses what their side is all about more than Slaven Bilic, then I have not seen him.
A man who looks more like an ageing rock star than a master tactician has just led his unfashionable outfit into the last eight of a major international tournament, with maximum points.
An uncompromising defender for West Ham and Everton, among others, in his day, Bilic has taken to life in management like the proverbial duck to water.
Having breezed through qualifying, disposing of hapless England on the way, Austria, Germany and now Poland have all felt the full force of a well-oiled Croatian machine which has its sat nav set for Vienna on 29th June.
It's refreshing to see a side take so much enjoyment out of what they are threatening to achieve.
The players play with a smile on their face, while their manager appears to verge on the edge of a nervous breakdown on the sidelines, kicking every ball and winning every tackle.
A group of players bereft of any truly world-class stars, although I'm sure Luka Modric will hope to change that in the future, have gelled together in a manner which breaks all rational convention.
They really should not be this good, they fielded their reserves against the Poles - and still managed to win.
Seamless
Much-fancied Portugal did that 24 hours earlier and were comprehensively outplayed by a Switzerland side already destined to fall at the first hurdle.
Quite how far Croatia can go remains to be seen, but having secured top spot in Group B they will fancy their chances in a quarter-final contest with a Turkey side which scraped into the last eight.
Bilic will undoubtedly ring the changes for that contest, the likes of Modric, Kranjcar, Olic and the Kovacs ready to slot seamlessly back into a side riding on the crest of a wave.
Portsmouth's Niko Kranjcar did get a late run out as a substitute on Monday, but had little time to affect proceedings and will be pleased to have escaped unscathed with bigger tests to come in the coming weeks.
The other British-based Croatian to feature against the Poles was Manchester City defender Vedran Corluka.
Starting the game on the bench he was called upon after just 26 minutes following an injury to Dario Knezevic.
Rarely tested, but for a late flurry of Polish attacks which had come much too late, he looked comfortable and would appear to be a certainty to feature against Turkey.
Poland's Southampton striker Marek Saganowski was one of two familiar faces in Leo Beenhakker's side, but found the going tough and was replaced with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Credentials
The other, and the one Pole to leave this tournament with his reputation enhanced, was Celtic's Artur Boruc.
Ask your stereotypical man in the street who the best keeper in the world is and you are likely to receive a list of the usual suspects: Iker Casillas, Petr Cech, Gianluigi Buffon.
Far be it for me to argue with the credentials of that trio, but if Boruc played in a major European league then you have to believe that he would be held in higher regard.
He may get the chance this summer if rumours of interest from Italian giants Milan prove to be correct, although the Hoops will be desperate to keep him in Scotland.
A reassuring presence for those in front of him Boruc has an air of Peter Schmeichel about him.
He may not rant and rave in the same manner as the former Manchester United ace, but his star jump technique of closing down opposition attackers is definitely reminiscent of the legendary Dane.
While interest in Boruc is likely to have increased over the course of Poland's short-lived time at Euro 2008, Croatia supporters must be growing increasingly concerned as to where the future of their talismanic manager may lie.
Bilic may not be as suave as Jose Mourinho or as sophisticated as Arsene Wenger, but his star is most definitely on the rise and a return to the Premier League seemingly beckons for a man who has brought the fun-factor back to football management.
Match Poll
Team Kits
European Championships (Group A) Table
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | Turkey | 3 | 6 |
| 3 | Czech Republic | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Switzerland | 3 | 3 |
Comments
Rob Milston (Liverpool fan) says...
Even though i like rugby and am a huge Gloucester fan i have been watching the finals, with holland my preffered team for the championship. I have been most suprised by the Croats and their manager who shows so much passion for the game! Most football managers are old men with not much passion, but bags of experience. However, the passion shown by Bilic and Van Basten has made the players unite and want to play for them! They are a new style of manager and the way forward!
Posted 22:17 17th June 2008
Uli Chris (Manchester United fan) says...
Definitely the side to watch! They, along with the Dutch, are the most pleasant surprises in the tournament. And I sincerely hope for an final between those two. (Sorry Spain! Sorry Portugal!) Refreshing sides and enthusiastic managers, the Croats and the Dutch, Billic and Van Basten, I hope they take the mickey out of fossils like Aragones and lucky bosses like Scolari. THIS IS A GREAT EURO INDEED. And, thank goodness (until now), so is the refereeing...
Posted 13:29 17th June 2008
Dale Riddell (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...
Bilic has proved so far to be a guy who can get the most out a squad that in all fairness isn't the strongest in the world. I know a Premier League side that needs a young manager who wants to prove his worth. Bilic for Blackburn come on!!!!
Posted 12:30 17th June 2008
Zane Wilson (Arsenal fan) says...
He deserves huge respect for what he is doing for his country. Most of us were in awe and questioning how our fallen ''heroes'' lost twice to the croats, but with their performances in the euros they are showing exactly why they beat us and finished top of their qualifying group. In Luka Modric they have a guy with enormous potential and I will be looking forward to seeing him in the PL (even if he's in a spurs shirt!). They also have the right mix of bright, well known players and then the water carriers who get the job done, which lets them function as a team. We all know how badly things can go wrong when you ''have the leftback in the world'' and the ''best second striker'', ''best central defenders''...truth is hard to swallow...for me anyway
Posted 10:59 17th June 2008
Jude Davis (Arsenal fan) says...
It's very refreshing to see a manager like Bilic on the sidelines, his energy and commitment is brilliant. In a world where money does dominate he is showing that a love for the game and your country still exists, I am not sure of the exact figure but he only earns approx ¿130,000 per year, he could earn that in 3 weeks with a decent Premiership side. I am predicting a Croatia vs Holland final, both look to have the right balance between attack and defence at the moment. Modric and Schneider have also been the two most impressive players in the tournament...Here's to more great football from both teams!
Posted 09:53 17th June 2008
Bigy Koshy (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
Bilic has got all the credentials of a top manager. I was not so sure when his team beat England, but he has proved me wrong. Especially with the win yesterday, he has shown that he is a master tactician. Most importantly, it looks like the players want to play for him which is significant, the same attributes held by Mourinho, Scolari, Ferguson etc... I have a strong feeling it is CROATIA's Championship, this year.
Posted 09:09 17th June 2008
Ivan T (Worcester City fan) says...
World class stars? In the ¿120k a week, nightlife exploits winding up in the tabloids sense of the word? No, thankfully. World class footballers? You bet your life. Modric, Rakitic and Kranjcar have been able to impress more, in just a few games, than the entire English 'golden generation' has in several tournaments.
Posted 05:10 17th June 2008
Anthony Pervan (Arsenal fan) says...
"Unfashionable outfit" seems a little harsh. It sounds like you feel that they got to the finals by luck rather than skill. To get to the quarters even more luck. Is this sour grapes for Croatia beating England twice to qualify for the finals. Could it be a touch of arrogance that the English have for their level of football? Do you think their style of football is ugly, unpleasant to watch?
Posted 23:34 16th June 2008
Add Comment*
All fields are required