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Croatia: Livakovic, Juranovic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Majer, Petkovic, Kramaric
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Subs: Stanisic, Pongracic, Erlic, Labrovic, Mario Pasalic, Budimir, Ivanusec, Sosa, Pjaca, Vida, Ivusic, Marco Pasalic, Sucic, Baturina
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Albania: Strakosha, Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj, Ramadani, Asllani, Asani, Bajrami, Laci, Manaj
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Subs: Etrit Berisha, Balliu, Gjasula, Broja, Kastrati, Mihaj, Seferi, Medon Berisha, Muci, Ismajli, Daku, Abrashi, Kumbulla, Aliji, Hoxha
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Hello, hello, hello and welcome back to the Group of Death. Croatia had an unhappy start to the tournament, conceding three against Spain and failing to take advantage of a consolation penalty. Albania, on the other hand, had the happiest of beginnings, shocking Italy with the fastest goal in Euros history … but the defending champions hit back with two and took the three points. So who gets their campaign properly underway here? Luka Modric and his mates are the obvious favourites, but – as entertaining as this whole thing has been so far – we’re due a couple more upsets. Kick-off at Hamburg is at 2pm BST.
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Important Events
“It’s a team game, but it inevitably connects individuals with their countries and teams.” Krishnamoorthy v. wrote: “Pele was with Brazil, Maradona with Argentina, Mila with Cameroon, Cruyff with Holland and Modric with Croatia. He outshone Suker on his Dream Team debut in 1998.”
I’m still amazed he played in this game.
Excuse me for self-promotion.
“Why do we call this group the death group?” asks Deborah Smee. “I care a lot about the Croatian team. They have performed much better overall than the British team (remember Russia?) over the last few years. They are a small country with a population of 3.8 million, but they have players who are well above the world average.”
The “Group of Death” term, which I should add is not mine, is meant to highlight Croatia’s form in recent years and suggest that the footballing powerhouse is in danger of being eliminated in Group B.
Ivan Perisic joins Croatia squadThe same goes for Josip Djuranovic and Bruno Petkovic. Gvardiol looks set to move to centre-back. Albania make two changes up front, with Armando Broja and Taulant Seferi replaced by Rei Manaj and Kazim Laçi.
team
So here they are lined up like this…
Croatia: Livakovic, Djuranovic, Staro, Gvardiol, Perisic, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Majer, Petkovic, Kramaric.
subtitles: Stanisic, Pongracic, Erlich, Lavrovich, Mario Pasalic, Budimir, Ivanusec, Sosa, Pjaca, Vida, Ivšić, Marko Pasalic, Sucic, Baturina
Albania: Strakosha, Hisaj, Ajeti, Jimsiti, Mitaj, Ramadhani, Asrani, Asani, Bajrami, Rachi, Manaj
Subs: Etrit Berisha, Bariu, Jasra, Broja, Kastrati, Mihaj, Seferi, Medon Berisha, Muci, Ismaili, Dak, Abrashi, Kumbulla, Ariji, Hoja.
preamble
Hello, hello, hello. Welcome to the Group of Death. Croatia started the tournament disappointingly, conceding three goals to Spain and failing to convert a consolation penalty. Meanwhile, Albania got off to the best start, surprising Italy with the fastest goal in Euros history… but the defending champions managed to pull two back to take the three points. So who will really kick-start their campaign here? Luka Modric and Co. are the clear favourites, but the whole tournament has been very entertaining so far, and we’re sure to see a couple more upsets. Kick-off in Hamburg is at 2pm BST.
