Croatia coach Slaven Bilic named his Euro 2008 squad after extending his contact to 2010 on Monday.
Coach extends Croatia stay for two more years
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic named his 23-man squad for the Euro 2008 finals after signing a new deal to stay on as national boss until 2010.
Bilic had been linked with the Manchester City hot-seat but has instead extended his contract by two years to take him through to the 2010 World Cup.
Announcing his decision, he said the Croatian coaching team have confidence in the young team which beat off the challenge of England to qualify for the Championships.
Bilic told a news conference on Monday: "Two years ago, it was a brave decision to put us at the helm and we have decided to stay on because we have a lot of confidence in this youthful team.
Primary objective
"There is absolutely no pressure but our primary objective is to get past the group stage at Euro 2008."
Bilic named only six defenders in his Euro 2008 squad, although his nine midfielders include several players, such as Danijel Pranjic and Darijo Srna, who are versatile wing backs and can play in several positions.
Upfront, out-of-form striker Bosko Balaban has been dropped in place of 20-year old Nikola Kalinic, who has enjoyed a fine season with Hajduk Split.
Utility duo Ognjen Vukojevic and Nikola Pokrivac have replaced Mario Mandzukic and Jurica Vranjes in the centre of midfield, while Anas Sharbini and Manuel Pamic are the two back-up players.
Bilic added: "This team has a lot of potential and it will get even better in the future. With a bit of luck we can do very well in the European Championship."
Croatia open their Group B campaign against Austria in Vienna on 8th June and then play Germany on 12th June and Poland on 16th June, with both games in Klagenfurt.
Euro Squad
Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak Moscow), Vedran Runje (RC Lens), Mario Galinovic (Panathinaikos).
Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Manchester City), Dario Simic (AC Milan), Robert Kovac (Borussia Dortmund), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin), Dario Knezevic (Livorno), Hrvoje Vejic (Tom Tomsk).
Midfielders: Danijel Pranjic (Heerenveen), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Niko Kovac (Salzburg), Luka Modric (Tottenham), Niko Kranjcar (Portsmouth), Jerko Leko (Monaco), Ivan Rakitic (Schalke 04), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dinamo Zagreb), Nikola Pokrivac (Monaco).
Forwards: Mladen Petric (Borussia Dortmund), Ivica Olic (Hamburg SV), Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen), Igor Budan (Parma), Nikola Kalinic (Hajduk Split).
