Bilic - Better than beating England

Croatia coach savours win over Germany

Last updated: 13th June 2008

Bilic - Better than beating England

Bilic: Euro delight

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Croatia boss Slaven Bilic took more satisfaction from beating Germany than victory over England at Wembley.

Bilic's side provided one of the upsets of Euro 2008 with an impressive 2-1 triumph over one of the pre-tournament favourites, and are through to the quarter-finals after back-to-back wins in Group B.

Croatia brushed aside England in the qualifying group, winning home and away as the Three Lions' hopes were ended as they were beaten 3-2 at Wembley on a wet night on November.

And Bilic said: "For us, that match was not as important as for the English, because we had already qualified for the Euro.

"This victory was much more important as it was played for key points at the championship."

Title

The Croatia boss now believes his side can go all the way to lift the title after their display against Joachim Low's men.

"The way my players played here, I think we can go far at the championships," he added. "The title? Why not."

Tottenham-bound Luka Modric and Portsmouth ace Niko Kranjcar both felt that they fully deserved to claim three points against Germany.

Modric said: "We really played a phenomenal match. We showed our strength against the mighty Germany."

Kranjcar added: "We dominated the field, never letting the Germans develop their game. Besides the goal, I cannot recall any other big chance that they had."