[img]http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTxEkqWn3Sg1fIf9nlDso9EIKEL_gz7fW-sRqUvYkE0nfkCj2Kxy7r6hb8[/img] [size=16pt]Czech Republic vs Croatia[/size] [img]http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQGUkCzwxnCrA9ODzQm49JTZEK45og5Llp1m-pd64_FJpeJ6aq-6rAfb6o[/img]

Czech Republic and Croatia face off in Group D on Thursday evening at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard with the Croats looking for a win that would seal their qualification into the Round of 16. The two sides have never met before in a competitive match.

Czech Republic will be reeling from their narrow defeat to current holders Spain. Pavel Vrba’s side showed great resilliance to keep the match goalless for as long as they did. However, a header from Gerard Pique finally beat goalkeeper Petr Cech in the 87th minute.

Vrba managed to find the positives in his side’s performance. “I am happy we played our first match at the level we did, although Spain played very well.

“They had more chances and the result could have been different if Petr Čech hadn’t made some great saves and if the defence hadn’t played as consistently as they did. The players did everything they could and that makes me happy,” he said after the match

Lone-striker Tomas Necid will be looking to have a bigger impact in the match against Croatia.

Croatia opened Group D with a 1-0 win over Turkey, thanks to a goal of the tournament contender from Luka Modric. The Real Madrid midfielder expertly volleyed in a high clearance from 25 metres out.

The scoreline flattered Turkey somewhat as Dario Srna, Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic all hit the crossbar. It was clear from the off that Ante Cacic instructed his team to exploit the flanks, as his team tried to fire in as many crosses as possible.

“We’ve taken the first step and next up are the Czech Republic,” said Modric, who received the Man of the Match award. “We mustn’t stop here though. We must continue in the same vein, and I believe we will get another good result.”

Match stats

Czech Republic have played Croatia twice before and are yet to claim victory against them (D1 L1).

This is the first time Czech Republic and Croatia have met in a game that wasn't a friendly.

Six of the eight goals in matches between these countries have come in the first half.

The Czech Republic have lost six of their last nine Euro games (W3).

None of the Czech Republic's last 20 games at a major tournament has ended in a draw (W9 L11). Their last draw was in the semi-finals of Euro 1996 against France (0-0, 6-5 on pens).

The Czech Republic have never failed to score in two consecutive games at the European Championships.

Croatia have won five of their last eight group games in the European Championships (D2 L1).

Croatia have only failed to score once in their last 10 games in the European Championships, it was against Spain in 2012. They've also never conceded more than one goal in their last eight games in the competition.

Croatia struck the woodwork three times against Turkey, only the fourth time this had happened in a Euro game since 1980.

Croatia tied their record for most shots in a 90-minute Euro game with their 19 attempts against Turkey. 15 of those came from inside the box.

Modric scored with his only shot against Turkey. He also had more touches (79) and completed more passes (52) than any other player in that game.

Possible XI

Czech Republic: Cech, Kaderabek, Suchy, Sivok, Limbersky, Darida, Plasil, Gebre Selassie, Rosicky, Krejci, Lafata.

Croatia: Subasic, Srna, Corluka, Vida, Strinic; Modric, Badelj, Brozovic, Rakitic, Perisic, Mandzukic.

ok

qwequo:
h

waka there

Good day friends,

two equally balanced team....

ha! Cech

Croatia all de way

freekick wasted by the crots

Croatia to win or draw for the sake of my ticket

Play first half draw,no goal,0 vs 0
2nd half as most scoring half

kinwhite:
Croatia to win or draw for the sake of my ticket

Croatia to lose and lose for the sake of my friend's ticket

Modric all d way

georjay:
Croatia to lose and lose for the sake of my friend's ticket

no go there

The match to end.... Czech Republic 2-1 Croatia

Oracle16:
The match to end.... Czech Republic 2-1 Croatia

croatia will win

Ov HT (0.5)

Cech na basket

CZE 0-1 CRO

silibaba:



croatia will win

OK let's watch and see na.

Na all the time Corluka head dey break

Dey don cast my, tickets. I played FT draw

aieromon:
Cech na basket
CZE 0-1 CRO

Sweet game!!!

abdulatif8:
Dey don cast my, tickets. I played FT draw

Game still on

Oracle16:
The match to end.... Czech Republic 2-1 Croatia

Oracle16:
The match to end.... Czech Republic 2-1 Croatia

The game should end 1-2 or 0-3 in favor of croatia.

Half time

CZE 0-1 CRO

Hehe , meanwhile see what happens when chicken drinks beer

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaFJBFq4TWY[/flash]

abdulatif8:
Dey don cast my, tickets. I played FT draw

believe bro!.. Believe... 1-1..full time.. Cezch let's go there!

silibaba:

Relax and watch till the end.

Cech na basket

Croatia are force to reckon with this Euro 2016 ...I see them going far...Hala Madrid #Luka Modric all the best.