Stand-in finds spotlight

Mario Mandzukic is used to being the replacement.

In 2007, he was signed by Dinamo Zagreb to fill in for the Arsenal-bound Eduardo. In 2010, he was bought by Wolfsburg as the long-term replacement for Edin Dzeko.

And, in 2012, the big question is whether he can finally step up on the biggest stage and make his name in his own right. Should he do so, it might even see Croatia replace the favourites Italy or Spain in the top two of Ireland’s Euro 2012 group.