Squad update
The major casualty of Ante Cacic’s final 23-man selection was Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren, who was dropped following an argument during the March friendly against Hungary.
Cacic ignored the claims of Marin Tomasov and Chelsea’s Mario Pasalic while midfielders Domagoj Antolic and Alen Halilovic were included in the provisional 27-man list but left out of the final 23, with Cacic claiming they would not cope well with being reserves in France.
Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen) was the beneficiary of Lovren’s exclusion, while the Dinamo Zagreb trio of Marko Rog, Ante Coric and Duje Cop (Dinamo Zagreb) all made the cut, along with striker Andrej Kramaric who spent the second half of the season on loan at Hoffenheim after failing to break into the Leicester City starting line-up.
Final squad
Goalkeepers
Name: Lovre Kalinic
Caps/goals: 4/0
Club: Hajduk Split
Age: 26 (03.04.90)
Tall with extraordinary reflexes. Has a great career in front of him and likely to leave Hajduk soon.
Danijel Subasic
19/0
Monaco (Fra)
Age 32 (27.10.84)
Patiently waited for his chance, which finally came Stipe Pletikosa stepped down. One of the best keepers in Ligue 1.
Ivan Vargic
2/0
Rijeka
Age 29 (15.03.87)
Solid keeper who will join Lazio for next season. Will probably get the nod ahead of Dominik Livakovic as third choice.
Defenders
Vedran Corluka
87/4
Lokomotiv Moscow (Rus)
Age 30 (05.02.86)
Stopper, usually faultless, one of the key players in the team. Clever reader of the game and good passer.
Tin Jedvaj
2/0
Bayer Leverkusen (Ger)
Age 20 (28.11.95)
Highly-rated young centre-back. Getting his career back on track after an ill-fated move to Roma from Dinamo Zagreb
Gordon Schildenfeld
25/1
Dinamo Zagreb
Age 31 (18.03.85)
Experienced stopper, slow but an excellent reader of the game. Troubled by injuries and eyesight but reborn since a return to Dinamo.
Darijo Srna
129/21
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukr)
Age 34 (01.05.82)
Captain, right-back, free-kick expert, record cap-holder, preparing for his final tournament in France. Joint top scorer, with Mandzukic.
Ivan Strinic
33/0
Napoli (Ita)
Age 28 (17.07.87)
The only real candidate for left-back but not a regular with his club. Attack-minded, delivers an outstanding cross.
Domagoj Vida
36/1
Dinamo Kiev (Ukr)
Age 27 (29.04.89)
Versatile defender who can plays on both the right or left side.
Sime Vrsaljko
17/0
Sassuolo (Ita)
Age 24 (10.01.92)
Right-back, competitive, strong runner who likes to join the attack and can deliver a good cross.
Midfielders
Milan Badelj
18/1
Fiorentina (Ita)
Age 27 (25.02.89)
Defensive midfielder. A strong personality and dedicated professional, but subject to injuries.
Marcelo Brozovic
16/4
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 24 (16.11.92)
Equally at home with attacking or defensive tasks. A good improvisor, excellent shot.
Ante Coric
1/0
Dinamo Zagreb
Age 19 (14.04.97)
Creative midfielder, one of Croatia’s most promising players, being watched by number of big clubs.
Mateo Kovacic
26/1
Real Madrid (Spa)
Age 22 (06.05.94)
Talented midfielder controller who hasn’t yet fully fulfilled his potential. A clever improvisor during games.
Luka Modric
89/10
Real Madrid (Spa)
Age 31
A key man for Real Madrid and performs the same role for his country. Directs team play, a great dribbler and accurate shooter.
Ivan Rakitic
75/10
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 28 (10.03.88)
Great mix of midfield grafter and and creator. Has an extremely accurate shot and a clever provider of assists.
Marko Rog
1/0
Dinamo Zagreb
Age 19 (19.07.95)
Attacking midfielder rewarded with a call-up following a strong first season with Dinamo.
Forwards
Duje Cop
3/0
Dinamo Zagreb
Age 26 (01.02.90)
Striker with a fine scoring record in the Croatian league. Spent last season on loan at Malaga.
Nikola Kalinic
27/8
Fiorentina (Ita)
Age 28 (05.01.88)
Good all-round striker, who can shoot with both feet and a useful provider of assists. A Europa League finalist with Dnipro in 2015 before joining Fiorentina.
Andrej Kramaric
10/4
Hoffenheim (Ger)
Age 24 (19.06.91)
Natural goalscorer who has recovered his career in Germany after failing to make an impact at Leicester.
Mario Mandzukic
65/21
Juventus (Ita)
Age 30 (21.05.86)
Team’s main striker, fiery, combative, inexhaustible. Strong in the air, useful in defensive tasks.
Ivan Perisic
45/12
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 27 (02.05.89)
Attacking midfielder, quick, useful as a second striker. Can also play on right or left. Scorer of spectacular goals.
Marco Pjaca
6/0
Dinamo Zagreb
Age 21 (06.05.95)
Bright new hope, similar style to Alen Boksic. Recently broke his collarbone but is expected to recover in time for finals.
