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Goalkeepers
Tomislav Butina (FC Brugge)
Joey Didulica (Vienna Austria)
Stipe Pletikosa (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Defenders
Robert Kovac (Bayen Munich)
Mato Neretljak (Hajduk Split)
Dario Simic (AC Milan)
Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin)
Mario Tokic (GAK Graz)
Stjepan Tomas (Fenerbahce)
Igor Tudor (Juventus)
Boris Zivkovic (Stuttgart)
Midfielders
Marko Babic (Bayer Leverkusen)
Nenad Bjelica (Kaiserslautern)
Niko Kovac (Hertha Berlin)
Jerko Leko (Dynamo Kiev)
Milan Rapaic (Ancona)
Giovanni Rosso (Maccabi)
Dario Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Forwards
Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen)
Ivica Mornar (Portsmouth)
Ivica Olic (CSKA Moscow)
Dado Prso (Monaco)
Tomislav Sokota (Benfica

Having finished second behind Bulgaria in qualifying Group 8, it took a narrow play-off victory over neighbours Slovenia to secure Croatia's place in the finals of Euro 2004.

Disappointing start
After failing to qualify from their first-round group at the 2002 World Cup, optimism was muted as Otto Baric's side began their qualifying campaign at home to Estonia in Osijek, and those low expectations seemed justified as the visitors secured a goalless draw.

Crucial victory
It got even worse for Croatia in their second qualifier, with goals from Stilian Petrov and Dimitar Berbatov giving Bulgaria a 2-0 victory in Sofia. However, Baric's team then got their qualifying bid going in spectacular style, with Darijo Srna, Dado Pršo, Tomislav Maric and Jerko Leko scoring in a crucial 4-0 victory in Zagreb against a Belgian side who - with Bulgaria clear at the top of the section - would emerge as Croatia's biggest challengers for a play-off place.

Late winner
Milan Rapaic then scored twice as group minnows Andorra were defeated 2-0 in Varazdin, a result that moved Croatia second. Estonia then proved to be just as difficult to break down at home, before Niko Kovac's strike 14 minutes from time finally ended their resistance.

Sonck strikes
Kovac scored again in Croatia's 3-0 win in Andorra, with Josip Šimunic and Giovanni Rosso getting the other goals. Four days later, however, two goals from Wesley Sonck gave Belgium a 2-1 win in Brussels, with Dario Šimic mustering Croatia's sole response, while Šimunic was sent off.

Slender success
Despite the defeat, Croatia went into their final qualifier at home to Bulgaria in confident mood. Victory would be enough to edge out the Belgians for second spot thanks to a superior record in head-to-head encounters and Ivica Olic's 48th minute strike proved sufficient.

Prso Power
Awaiting Croatia in the play-offs were Slovenia, surprise package of Euro 2000, Croatia went about things the hard way but will thank a rather memorable Champions League match.
With Prso playing for Monaco against Spain's classy Deportiva La Coruna the French outfit won an extraordinary game 8-3, with the Croatian star scoring four times, going into the play-off tie, confidence was obviously high and even though drawing 1-1 in Zagreb and seemingly the under dogs due to the away goal, came away with a fiercely fought 1-0 victory after Igor Tudor had been sent off, but the scorer from the first leg would repeat his incredible recent success in front of goal scoring the vital goal that would send Croatia to Portugal.