World Of Sports

Croatia boss Slaven Bilic has become the first coach to name his squad for Euro 2008, with two youngsters, Manuel Pamić and Anas Sharbini, also selected as back-ups.

With the finals in Austria and Switzerland just over a month away, much of the attention surrounding the tournament at the moment is on which players will be selected by their respective countries.

Croatia’s Slaven Bilic has named a squad without any real surprises, although 22-year-old Monaco midfielder Nikola Pokrivač has earned his maiden call-up, while Salzburg’s Manuel Pamić and HNK Rijeka’s Anas Sharbini are chosen as standbys.

"We chose 23 players and we are also taking two youngsters," explained Bilic.

"Not because we want to give them a chance to fit in or to thank them, but because they are young, talented and playing in the positions we need."

Croatian Football Federation president Vlatko Marković also offered further confirmation that Bilic had signed a two-year extension to his contract that was due to run out at the end of Euro 2008.

"The final decision came after the [3-2 qualifying] victory [over England] at Wembley [last November], so the signing of the contract could have happened six or three months ago," said Marković.

"Instead, it happened today. We are very happy to have Slaven Bilić and his assistants."

Croatia have been drawn in Group B at this summer’s finals, along with co-hosts Austria, Germany and Poland.

"We have a goal to continue with our good work," Bilic added.

"We have a difficult task ahead, but if we get a little luck we can end up being proud."

Croatia squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (FC Spartak Moskva), Vedran Runje (RC Lens), Mario Galinović (Panathinaikos FC).

Defenders: Dario Šimić (AC Milan), Robert Kovač (BV Borussia Dortmund), Josip Šimunić (Hertha BSC Berlin), Vedran Ćorluka (Manchester City FC), Dario Knežević (AS Livorno Calcio), Hrvoje Vejić (FC Tom Tomsk).

Midfielders: Niko Kovač (FC Salzburg), Jerko Leko (AS Monaco FC), Darijo Srna (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Niko Kranjčar (Portsmouth FC), Luka Modrić (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Danijel Pranjić (SC Heerenveen), Ivan Rakitić (FC Schalke 04), Ognjen Vukojević (NK Dinamo Zagreb), Nikola Pokrivač (AS Monaco FC).

Forwards: Mladen Petrić (BV Borussia Dortmund), Ivica Olić (Hamburger SV), Ivan Klasnić (Werder Bremen), Igor Budan (Parma FC), Nikola Kalinić (HNK Hajduk Split).