Euro 2008- tipped key player: Niko Kranjcar

Do England fans remember Niko Kranjcar? No?…. You know he’s the guy who played for Croatia against England last November?No?….Oh you must remember that he was the one who scored the opening goal in the match that knocked England out of the Euro 2008 tournament from 40 yards…? Still don’t remember?  Yeah me either, along with Scott Carson  I’ve almost wiped that night out my memory too!!

Whenever I’ve watched Kranjcar play, he’s always looked very skillful on the ball and a quality player (check out some of the videos of him, some very very nice goals).  The Portsmouth player has been on impressive form this season helping Pompey to get to the FA Cup final and he’s also been linked with a lucrative move to Arsenal.

Croatian manager Billic will be looking towards the midfield play-maker already with 39 caps to create the openings for Croatia during the tournament and also add to his 6 international goals from midfield..  

I could of taken the easy option and tipped a midfield player like Chrsitiano Ronaldo (who?) to shine at Euro 2008, but Kranjcar has the ability to make a real impact, already a key player at 23 years of age in the Croatian midfield, he is definitely a player to watch out for in June.

I mean any player that scores against England and out classes an English midfield can’t be that bad can they?  (actually don’t answer that question)

Date of Birth:: 13/08/84

Birth Place: Zagreb

Height: 6ft 1

Position: Playmaker/midfielder