Croatia announce friendly dates
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Article summary
Croatia have announced a programme of friendly internationals as they prepare for UEFA EURO 2004™.
Article body
Croatia have announced a programme of friendly internationals as they prepare for the finals of UEFA EURO 2004™.
Germany test
Otto Baric's side, who have been drawn alongside France, England and Switzerland in Group B in Portugal, will take on 2002 FIFA World Cup runners-up Germany in Split on 18 February, before meeting Turkey, who finished third in Korea/Japan, in Zagreb on 31 March.
Provisional dates
The Croatian Football Federation have also provisionally announced matches with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo on 28 April, Romania on 29 May in Osijek and Slovakia in Zagreb on 5 June, but these matches are all subject to confirmation. A friendly against the Republic or Ireland has also been arranged for 18 August in Dublin.
'Clear plan'
"Our plan is clear," said Baric. "We want to be in our best shape and form for the EURO 2004™ games and we have chosen strong opponents to test the team. Through these games I will have enough time to choose the right team for Portugal and I hope we will avoid injuries. We will use the first two months of 2004 for scouting players, visiting their teams and talking with their coaches."
