Slaven Bilić is First to Name Euro 2008 Squad

While other Euro 2008 managers are waiting on decisions for new contracts, are putting absolutely no effort into fronting a rock band, and are healthy sensible non-smokers, Slaven Bilić is taking an alternative approach. The Croatian boss signed a two-year contract extension recently, is famously recording a Euro 2008 fan anthem with his band Rawbau and has his smoking habit out in the open.

And yesterday Bilić became the first Euro 2008 manager to put his cards on the table and say “Attention world: these are the 23 men I’m taking to Euro 2008.” And I like to think he enjoyed a victory cigarette afterwards (even though smoking is bad and you definitely shouldn’t do it.)

Here are the 23 names:

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa, Vedran Runje, Mario Galinovic

Defenders: Robert Kovac, Dario Simic, Danijel Pranjic, Dario Knezevic, Josip Simunic, Hrvoje Vejic, Vedran Corluka

Midfielders: Nikola Pokrivac, Niko Kranjcar, Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Niko Kovac, Jerko Leko, Darijo Srna, Ognjen Vukojevic

Forwards: Ivan Klasnic, Igor Budan, Mladen Petric, Ivica Olic, Nikola Kalinic

Some ballsy moves in there, such as dropping the experienced but out of form Bosko Balaban in favour of 20 year old Hajduk Split striker Nikola Kalinic.

I always get impatient waiting for tournament squads to come out, and the UEFA deadline foir Euro 2008 isn’t until May 28th. So here’s to Slaven Bilić and his nicotine-stained fingers for being first to write down/type up his Euro 2008 squad and submit it early. He’s fast becoming my favourite coach at Euro 2008. I just really really hope his fan song doesn’t suck.