Croatia v Republic of Ireland: the numbers

0 — Croatia have never conceded a goal in their opening match at a Euro finals (1-0 v Turkey, 1996; 0-0 v Switzerland, 2004; 1-0 v Austria, 2008).

1: Ireland have scored one goal in their first match at every finals they’ve contested (1-0 v England, 1988; 1-1 v England, 1990; 1-0 v Italy, 1994; 1-1 v Cameroon, 2002).

2: Croatian survivors from the team that beat Giovanni Trapattoni’s Italy 2-1 at the World Cup finals ten years ago (goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa and defender Josip Simunic).

6: matches between the countries since 1996 have produced two Irish wins, one Croatian victory and three draws.

9: members of the Croatia squad appeared in the Champions League during 2011-12; no Ireland player did.

24: Robbie Keane’s 24th international goal earned Ireland a 1-0 win against Croatia in a friendly fixture at Lansdowne Road in November 2004.

39: caps make Glenn Whelan Trapattoni’s most-used Ireland player.

61: matches played by Croatia under Slaven Bilic (41 wins, 14 draws, 6 defeats).

450: Darijo Srna’s goal in Croatia’s 2-1 win against Germany at Euro-2008 was the 450th score in European Championship finals history.

485: total caps held by Shay Given, Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, John O’Shea and Richard Dunne before tomorrow night’s match.

Compiled by Paul Kelly