Kranjcar sets sights on semi-finals

Niko Kranjcar wasted no time in talking up Croatia’s chances of winning Euro 2012 following a 3-1 victory over Ireland that has left his side as the unexpected leaders of Group C and serious challengers to reach the quarter-finals.

Kranjcar, the former Tottenham midfielder now with Dynamo Kiev, already has Italy in his sights on Thursday and is also hoping the Republic, stung by their poor start to the tournament, will step up a gear in their fixture against defending champions Spain the same day to further enhance his team’s chances.

“We are very pleased with how it went against Ireland. I think it was our most important game of the tournament because we believe we have the better team and it’s really important to get off to a winning start before you play two massive matches against Italy and Spain afterwards.

“Those are two great opportunities to show how good we are; so we’re pleased but we have only done the first part of the job.

“Now we are aiming high. We are a nation that believes even in a group with Italy and Spain that we can go through, and not many nations would say that. In the next two matches we believe we are going to prove we are a team that can beat anybody on our day. And hopefully then the euphoria and the excitement of our fans will take us further, hopefully a step closer than four years ago, because we want to reach at least the semi-finals.”

Considering the talent at their disposal, including the outstanding Luka Modric in midfield, Croatia could prove to be serious contenders, even if bookmakers and television pundits rarely seem to take them into consideration.

“We know that nobody expects us to beat Italy and Spain, except us,” admitted Kranjcar. “But we believe in ourselves, in our quality.”

Croatia, with Modric pulling the strings, were certainly impressive as they brushed Ireland aside in Poznan helped by a combination of sloppy defending from their opponents and helpful decisions from the officials.

“I expected more of Ireland,” admitted Kranjcar. “But they did concede three goals during the worst times of the game; the beginning, the end of the first half and the beginning of the second. So it wasn’t easy for them.

“But I felt they would cause us more problems in open play, which they didn’t. Their only chances were from set pieces, which you expect because they are an expert in that.

“They are going to find it tough in the next two games against Spain and Italy, but knowing them they will give it everything. They are a team that has proved in recent years they are really hard to beat. I think they are going to step it up. I hope so.”