Reaction to Croatia’s ‘Group of Death’ Euro 2016 Draw
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatia’s group at next summer’s UEFA Euro 2016 in France has been labeled with the ‘Group of Death’ tag…
Croatia will face defending champions Spain, Czech Republic and Turkey in Group D after yesterday’s draw in Paris done no favours to Ante Čačić’ side.
“We have to analyse it, and the fact is that there are no easy groups, but this is one of the most testing. I think Croatia can match all of the sides (in the group), although it has to be noted that Spain are the current champions of Europe and the group favourites,” Čačić told hns-cff.hr after the draw, before adding.
“It will be interesting and uncertain (who will win), we have the opportunity to pay back the Turks for that unfortunate loss in Austria (in 2008) and the Czech Republic is a very well-managed side under Pavel Vrba. I think it’s good that we play against Spain later on, they will probably then be thinking about the second round and we can also see our chance there,” said the unbeaten coach.
Meanwhile, Croatian football federation President Davor Šuker was happy that Croatia is in the same group as Spain.
“Croatia has a very tough group, we got the most difficult opponent from every pit. Nevertheless, we will enjoy every match in France, it will be a festival of football. I am glad that out of the seeds we drew my friends the Spanish,” said Šuker, who spent most of his playing career in Spain.
Croatian football federation President happy to draw Spain (photo/dragosopta hns)
Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque did not seem to happy however drawing Croatia in Group D.
“We have drawn two sides that knocked out Holland in qualifying – Czech Republic and Turkey. Besides that, we have got Croatia who are a very strong side, and for me one of the strongest at the tournament. They have excellent players at big clubs in Europe and it will be very tough,” he said.
Croatia’s Euro 2016 schedule:
Croatia v Turkey – 12.06.2016
Croatia v Czech Republic – 17.06.2016
Croatia v Spain – 21.06.2016
(photo/uefa.com)
