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STEWART FISHER stewart.fisher@heraldandtimes.co.uk
The Balkan country is the smallest by population at Euro 2012, smaller even than the Republic of Ireland, and even as they tumbled out of the competition in Gdansk last night they were sure to have passed the Roy Keane test.
The feisty Irishman sparked controversy last week when he admonished his nation's supporters for "going along for the sing-song every now and again" but such an accusation could hardly be levelled at the Croats. While their colourful supporters hurled flares into the night sky, Slaven Bilic's warlike side made the reigning world and European champions sweat until the very last to earn their place in the knockout stages. The final table in Group C will show that, as expected, Spain top the group, with Italy in second – both are likely opponents for England in the knockout stages – but the second half of this match must have put the fear of God into the Spanish. The relief was etched all over the face of Jesus Navas as he lashed the ball gleefully into the empty net in the 88th minute, after a move involving his fellow substitute Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta which had finally opened up the flinty Croatian defence. But even that wasn't capable of killing off the Croats. Back they came, searching for the equaliser which would have eliminated the Italians instead, and justified pre-match scare stories from the Azzurri camp that Gdansk would be the site of a carve-up. With goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa up for a corner, their last chance came and went with a tamely conceded foul in the box.
Spain have had an aura about them ever since claiming this tournament in 2008 but prior to Navas's goal they were decidedly vulnerable. They found themselves in the position whereby the concession of a single goal would have meant them following Russia and Netherlands out of the tournament. The secret of the Croatian success yesterday was about compromise, their willingness to bide their time and sacrifice some of their attacking ambition for a more prosaic approach.
Bilic, who now leaves for Lokomotiv Moscow, had gone into this tournament being lambasted by the local media for being too close to the players. But he called it right again yesterday, sacrificing the attacking zeal which had dismantled the Republic and earned a point against the Italians for a five-man midfield, with Danijel Pranjic, a bench filler at Bayern Munich taking the place of Nikica Jelavic, the Everton striker.
It was successful in stifling Spain, a feat which has eluded some of the best sides football has to offer. Vicente del Bosque's side remain in pursuit of the unparalleled achievement of a third major trophy in a row, but some shrewd defensive organisation and the individual excellence of performers such as midfield fulcrum Luka Modric and centre half Gordon Schildenfeld restricted Spain's threat in the first period to a Fernando Torres shot from an acute angle which struck the shin of goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, and a half hit Andres Iniesta finish from a David Silva pass. The Spanish goal wasn't exactly subjected to a siege either – first half action there was restricted to a weak Pranjic shot, and Sergio Ramos just escaping the concession of a penalty for showing his studs to Mario Mandzukic in the penalty box. But, as the second half wore on, each Croatian attack spread increasing anxiety among the Spanish support.
One brilliant break from Modric down the right led to a sensational cross for Ivan Rakitic – Navas's Sevilla team-mate – only for his header to fly straight at Casillas. Next up was substitute Ivan Perisic, the impressive Borussia Dortmund double winner, whose stinging volley was beaten out by a relieved Casillas. Then, Vedran Corluka beat the Spain goalkeeper to a corner only for his header to fly wide.
But the Croats took one chance too many and the deciding goal arrived at the other end. But even in defeat, their efficiency have been lost upon Craig Levein, the manager of another small European country, as he prepares to face them in World Cup qualifying action in the next few months.
They had landed a blow for world football's little guys and gone down fighting. It was reminiscent of the kind of performances that Scotland used to be able to produce at a major tournament.
