The 'They' is Poland. Yes, Poland could still sneak in through the back door. That is if they beat the already-qualified Croatia (but have to score a lot of goals and the Austria-Germany match goes into their way) in Klagenfurt.
With a number of his usual first-choice players on a yellow card, Croatia coach Slaven Bilic is going to rest several of his first choice line-up. And, he is confident the makeshift team will live up to expectations. As for Poland coach Leo Beenhakker, he has all but conceded about Poland's chances. In fact, it has come to the extent that both coaches exchanged jokes about Bilic's mother-in-law in the Croatia's starting XI.
The case about starting line-ups especially for Croatia means that probably, striker Ivan Klasnic could well become the first ever kidney transplant patient to take part in a major football finals. He hasn't featured in Croatia's two group matches so far. Also, Dario Simic hopes to win his 99th cap for his country against Poland and can expect to hit the century mark as Croatia have already qualified for the quarter-finals.
Even if it means an exit from the tournament, defender Michal Zewlakow says that it's time for Poland to reward their fans. Even if they have a slim chance of progressing. Looking to catch the Croats in view of their early qualification.
So maybe Croatia and Portugal could meet in the semi-finals of the tournament. A possible meeting between the two sides as according to Croatia defender Hrvoje Vejic will spell the end of the road for Portuguese maestro Cristiano Ronaldo. Aha.
On the team news front. For Poland, first-choice captain Maciej Zurawski has not recovered from a right quadriceps injury he suffered in his country's opening group game loss to Germany. Meaning, Jacek Bak getting the captain's armband instead. For Croatia, these players are aleady on one yellow card - Robert Kovac, Josip Simunic, Luka Modric and Darijo Srna. One more yellow means no quarter-final appearance. I reckon coach Slaven Bilic is not going to take any chances.
Coach Slaven Bilic was quite animated on the touchline when his side faced Germany the last time round. Looking at footages again, I can't help but cracked up. I was like thinking at the rate he is going, he might as well join his boys on the pitch and play alongside with them. He's 39 this year, and the youngest among the national coaches in this tournament.
If he is like that again when his boys take on Poland in Klagenfurt, I'm not going to be surprised.
