World Cup Appearances:
2 - 1998, 2002
Accomplishments:
-- 3rd, 1998 FIFA World Cup™ France
Star Players:
Davor Suker, Alen Boksic, Robert Jarni, Robert Prosinecki, Mario Stanic
Approximate Odds of Winning:
50-1
AskMen's Rating of Team:
(out of 100)
75
Significant Strength:
Experience. Despite having made their first ever appearance at a World Cup (for obvious reasons) in 1998, Croatia is led by experienced players in Golden Booter Suker, Prosinecki and Boksic. The team may have stumbled since France, where they finished a surprising third only to lose to eventual champion France, but they have made strides in recent months.
Significant Weakness:
Health. The flip side to experience is that most of their star players are in their 30's and could be in better shape. Of note, Prosinecki is a smoker and is infamous for his poor eating habits...
AskMen's Prediction:
In 1998, Croatia was on a mission and was facing low expectations. This time around, they will finish second in Group G, but only if the old guards (Suker, Prosinecki and Jarni) give it all they've got.
CROATIA
