One of favourites now: Kalinic

Croatia striker buoyed by team’s 2-1 win over holders Spain which saw them top Group D

BORDEAUX/LENS/ MARSEILLE: Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic believes his country is now one of the favourites at Euro 2016 after beating Spain to win Group D.

Bookmakers’ odds for the Balkan nation to win the tournament have been changed from 16-1 to 8-1 after the 2-1 victory in Bordeaux.

Kalinic scored the equaliser to cancel out Spain’s early goal before Ivan Perisic grabbed a late winner. “It was difficult after we fell behind but we showed that we are shoulder to shoulder with the world’s top teams,” said Kalinic. “We are now one of the big favourites of this tournament.”

Having been fined €100,000 for crowd trouble caused by their fans in a 2-2 draw against the Czechs, a makeshift Croatian side came from behind against the Spaniards after coach Ante Cacic made five changes to his side.

Kalinic’s confidence may not be misplaced as Croatia’s 20-year-olds Tin Jedvaj and Marko Rog, both of whom were winning only their third caps, showed maturity beyond their years.





Forward Marko Pjaca also shone as he delivered a defence-splitting pass for Perisic’s winner, with injured playmaker Luka Modric, Croatia’s key player, celebrating on the bench.

But Ivan Rakitic, who got the better of his Barcelona teammates featuring for Spain, struck a note of caution. “Let’s not get carried away,” said the attacking midfielder, who added he had “a few things to explain” to his Spanish wife. “We are overjoyed, we will celebrate this win thoroughly but there is no room for complacency.”



Wasteful Germany missing clinical finish

Germany and their normally prolific striker Thomas Muller bemoaned missed chances at Euro 2016 as the world champions scored just one goal against battling Northern Ireland.

The Germans had 26 attempts on goal at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday to just two for their opponents but only Mario Gomez was able to beat inspired Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern or the woodwork.

Germany won Group C and head to a last-16 match in Lille on Sunday against Albania, Slovakia or the third-placed team in Portugal’s Group F.

There was joy for Northern Ireland too, as the Czech Republic’s 2-0 defeat by Turkey meant they also advanced to the knockout stage on goal difference in their first ever Euros participation.

The Northern Irish could well have lost heavily — and with it the chance of qualification — and Muller acknowledged Germany will need to be more clinical in future rounds. “The goals were lacking. I alone could have drawn level in the scorers’ list. We were greedy,” said Muller. “There were improvements in our play, but of course we aren’t 100% happy. We had more chances than in the last eight games.”



Lewandowski blanks ‘no problem’ for Poland coach

After Poland’s 1-0 defeat of Ukraine secured them a slot in the last-16, coach Adam Nawalka said star striker Robert Lewandowski’s third straight blank at Euro 2016 is not a concern.

“The fact that Lewandowski has not scored a goal yet is not a problem for either me or the team,” Nawalka told media in Marseille’s Stade Velodrome on Tuesday. “It is a matter of time; I think he will score in the next game.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2016.

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