Up step England's conquerors...

Group B
Croatia


Odds to win: 12/1
Previous best: Quarter Final in 1996
Gaffer's pedigree: Slaven Bilic is the main reason why England aren’t here and yet we still think he’s great. Probably because he says managing Croatia is an honour and only accepts minimum wage as payment. And he doesn’t use umbrellas.
He might do alright: Luka Modric is the man Spurs have just bought for £16m so see how good he is. Or laugh uncontrollably when he does his hamstring.
How did he get in? Despite having two kidney transplants this season, Ivan Klasnic could lead the line for his country. To think Darren Anderton used to miss games for having a sore toenail.
Stick your money on: Some kind of emotional dedication to Eduardo after each goal scored. And a needless booking each time.
Wag Watch: Anica Kovac, defender Robert’s better half, is a Miss World runner-up.
If they were a celeb: Bill Oddie. Quirky and colourful but just a little weird.
Obligatory translation feature: “Gdje je Paul Crvendać selac te dani?” (“Where’s Paul Robinson these days?”)
Prediction: Second in the group, but out to Germany in the semi-final.

Posted by: Lex