Croats nearly there after Turkey shoot

CROATIA all but guaranteed themselves a place at Euro 2012 after hammering hosts Turkey in the first leg of their play-off at the Ataturk Stadium last night.

Ivica Olic gave Slaven Bilic’s side the perfect start when he turned home Vedran Corluka’s cross from close range with just two minutes on the clock.

Mario Mandzukic doubled the lead half an hour later when he nodded past the flailing Volkan Demirel at the far post, before Corluka completed the scoring in the 51st minute with only his second international goal.