Sometimes the result of a simple game of football becomes etched into the folklore of a nation.

Croatian defender Vedran Corluka last night emerged as a possible injury concern for the side’s opening Group C game against the Republic of Ireland in Poznan on Sunday.

Slaven Bilic overshadowed the announcement of Croatia’s preliminary 27-man squad for Euro 2012 by confirming that he would be standing down after the tournament.

Slaven Bilic has announced he will step down as coach of Croatia’s national team after Euro 2012.