Few teams looked as slick and dangerous in qualifying as Croatia - just ask Steve McClaren - and hopes were high among the 'Vatreni' fans of a glorious summer at the European Championships.

However, those ambitions were significantly tempered in February when Eduardo, who had netted 10 goals in 12 games in Group E, suffered a horrific leg injury while playing for Arsenal.

The Brazilian-born striker had been the spearhead of a stylish, counter-attacking 4-1-3-2 system that bore little comparison to the strong-arm tactics employed in the last three major tournaments, all of which saw Croatia sent home after the group stages.

Craft and guile from the midfield is a given with Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar in tandem, but an ageing defence and the lack of a consistent goalscorer could curb Croatia's challenge in Austria and Switzerland.

Their best showing at a major tournament came at the 1998 World Cup in France, where they finished third, and they were quarter-finalists at Euro 96.

Manager - Slaven Bilic

The youngest coach at Euro 2008 at the age of 39, Slaven Bilic has given Croatian football a much-needed shot in the arm since making the step up from Under-21 coach to national team boss in 2006.

Bilic made his name as a sturdy centre-back with local club Hajduk Split and was a part of the very first Croatian squad formed following independence from Yugoslavia in 1990.

He moved to Karlsruhe before being snapped up by West Ham for £1.3million in January 1996 and after a good showing at Euro 96, he joined Everton the following summer for £4.5million.

Injury and suspensions blighted his stay at Goodison Park but he was an integral part of the Croatia squad that won bronze medals at France 98, even though he lost respect for his feigned injury against the hosts in Paris which led to Laurent Blanc being banned for the World Cup final.

Back problems eventually led to Bilic taking a huge pay-off to leave Everton and return to Hajduk and he eventually retired in 2001, taking up the U21 reins a few years later.

With his stud earring and punk rock passions - his band Rawbau's song Vatreno Ludilo (Blazing Madness) is the official Croatia anthem for Euro 2008 - Bilic comes across as something of a rebel, but he is actually a deep football thinker and methodical in his approach.

He ditched the team's traditional back three but refused to sacrifice a playmaker and successfully hit upon a system that makes full use of talented schemers like Modric and Kranjcar.

Star man - Luka Modric

In the absence of Eduardo, Luka Modric is seen as integral to Croatia's hopes of progressing to the latter stages of the tournament.

From his position in central midfield, Modric dictates the tempo and pulls the strings but he will only be truly effective if one of the strikers finishes off the chances he is sure to create.

The natural successor to Robert Prosinecki - who will be watching from the dugout, as assistant coach to Slaven Bilic - the player Modric most resembles is Johan Cruyff, and he will also be closely observed by Tottenham fans, eagerly awaiting his summer arrival at Tottenham from Dinamo Zagreb.

British interest

While Spurs supporters look to assess whether £16.5million for Luka Modric was money well spent, Portsmouth fans are already convinced by the talents of his midfield cohort Niko Kranjcar. His second season at Fratton Park culminated in an FA Cup final triumph at Wembley and saw him linked with a big-money move to Arsenal.

Vedran 'Charlie' Corluka has quickly become a crowd favourite at Manchester City, while Wigan has been touted as a possible destination for out-of-contract Werder Bremen striker Ivan Klasnic.

North of the border, defensive midfielder Ognjen Vukojevic has been a long-term target for Celtic.

England fans may still be struggling to comprehend how Russia pipped them to qualification from Group E, but few would have any complaints over Croatia's table-topping achievement and that may sway a few armchair fans to cheer on Bilic's men instead this summer.

Why they'll win

Croatia can boast a hugely experienced defence, a skilful and energetic midfield and a range of options up front - ingredients vital to the success of any tournament hopeful.

They will also be cheered on by one of the most passionate, noisy and colourful sets of supporters, who are expected to travel north in vast numbers.

Having won with panache at Wembley in qualifying while also standing firm in Tel Aviv and Moscow, little will faze Slaven Bilic's side and they will also draw inspiration from the success of previous dark horses Denmark and Greece in 1992 and 2004 respectively.

Why they won't

No other nation is missing such a key player as Eduardo, and although Croatia's creativity may unlock defences in what is sure to be a tight Group B, someone will need to fill the Arsenal man's shooting boots if they are to progress.

There are also major doubts surrounding the form and fitness of skipper and midfield lynchpin Niko Kovac, who at 36 is bound to find the step up from the Austrian Bundesliga a real test.

In any case, most Croatian fans believe the current crop are best placed to bear fruit at World Cup 2010 so would probably be happy with a brave quarter-final exit - but failure to get out of the group would be hugely dispiriting.