POLITICS

The right direction

The route ahead is clear: Croatia wants to join the European Union by 2010. A few milestones have already been reached. The economy is growing at a rate of about 4 percent; and parliamentary democracy was stabilized following a constitutional reform in November 2000. At the EU's behest, the Croatian judicial system is now cooperating fully with the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague. But the country is still rank with corruption, and parts of the justice system are flawed. Both trade and budget deficits continue to plague Prime Minister Ivo Sanader's government. But the resurgence of tourism, which generates one-fifth of the gross domestic product, is inspiring hope.

THE SPORT

Perennially poor

The Croatians celebrated their third place at the 1998 World Cup with the exuberance that others reserve for lifting the trophy. The success of the golden generation surrounding Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinecki and Davor Suker - whose six goals made him the tournament's top scorer - helped to forge a sense of national identity, proving as important for this war-torn country as the 1954 World Cup had been for Germany. Shortly after Croatia gained independence, the domestic league in this traditionally great footballing nation resumed its schedule. Two of the top teams in the former Yugoslav league, Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb, have dominated the national game since. In addition to the lack of real competition, mediocre standards have compounded the league's problems. Most of the stars play abroad and few of the persistently cashstrapped domestic clubs seem able to produce quality players. As a result, Croatia will probably find it hard to sustain the successes of the Suker generation.

TEAM AND TACTICS

Foreign influence

With seven wins and three draws, the Croatians acquitted themselves well during qualification. They sealed their third World Cup berth in a row with an away victory over Bulgaria and two 1-0 defeats of Sweden. Midfielder Darijo Srna scored the only goal in both encounters against their main group rivals from Scandinavia. Together with Dado Prso of Glasgow Rangers, Srna was the team's top finisher, with each netting five of the team's 21 goals. The only regular still playing in the country's domestic league is coach Zlatko Kranjcar's son Niko (21), a prolific Hajduk Split midfielder who - despite his relatively tender age - is already the team's main playmaker. With captain Niko Kovac, central defender Josip Simunic (both Hertha Berlin), and Werder Bremen's striker Ivan Klasnic, the Bundesliga is well represented in a squad whose strength lies up front.

STAR PLAYER

Dado Prso

An intimidating presence and constant aerial threat in any opposition penalty area, this powerfully-built, 6'2" striker was a late developer. After leaving Croatia for France at the age of 18, Prso played for an array of clubs - including Rouen and Corsican side Ajaccio - before arriving at Monaco. It was there that the man with the signature ponytail made his breakthrough by connecting four times during the 8-3 drubbing of Deportivo La Coruña in the 2003 Champions League - helping the French team reach the Final. Two weeks later, having made his international debut at the ripe old age of 28, Prso virtually fired his country to Euro 2004 single-handedly, clinching the winner in each of the team's two playoff matches. Twice voted Croatia's Footballer of the Year, Davor Suker's successor in the Croatian attack signed for Glasgow Rangers in 2004. In 56 games he has found the net 25 times for the Scottish club. For health reasons, Prso will be ending his brief but highly successful international career after the World Cup.

COACH

Zlatko Kranjcar

The 49-year-old took over from Otto Baric after the team's generally disappointing displays at Euro 2004. A former Yugoslav international, Kranjcar is known as a proponent of the attacking game. One of his first moves following his appointment was to select his talented son Niko for the team. Despite the inevitable accusations of nepotism, the budding star's impressive performances quickly silenced the critics. Niko Kranjcar is now being touted as the most gifted product of Croatia's latest generation. Before taking up his coaching post with the national team, Kranjcar had won the league title twice with Dinamo Zagreb and once with NK Zagreb.