Croatia

Croatia, gaining independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, reached their third successive FIFA World Cup finals.

Coached by Zlatko 'Cico' Kranjcar, Croatia's qualification group included Sweden but they managed to win both the home and away match against them to finish top of European qualifying Group 8, undefeated and with seven wins recorded in ten matches.

Before gaining independence from Yugoslavia, players from Croatia played a major role in the success of Yugoslav soccer.

Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinecki, Davor Suker, Robert Jarni and Igor Stimac were the stars in Yugoslavia's win at the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1987.

At France 1998 the same set of players were at their first FIFA World Cup finals for Crotia where they reached the semi-finals defeating Germany in the quarter-finals.

The Croats lost to eventual champion France in the semis but won their third-place match against the Netherlands.

Suker won the Golden Shoe striking seven goals in the finals.

However, Japan/Korea 2002 was not so memorable as they took the flight back home after the group stages.

The players to watch out for Croatia will be Kranjcar's son Niko, Igor Tudor, Robert Kovac, Srna, Marko Babic and Dado Prso.