Olic injured & Bilic on the way out: Croatia have hurdles to overcome if they are to succeed at Euro 2012

Long labelled the perennial dark horses of international competition, Croatia head into Euro 2012 with a talented squad hungry for glory. Four years ago in Austria and Switzerland, the Balkan nation cruised through their group campaign with a 100 per cent record intact, recording victories over Germany, Austria and Poland.
Many had Slaven Bilic's men down as favourites to go all the way but it wasn't to be. A cruel penalty shootout defeat to Turkey in the quarter-finals ended Croatia's campaign after so much early promise.
Four years on things look a little more bleak for the team. After failing to qualify for World Cup 2010 the Balkans relied on a playoff victory over Turkey - exacting sweet revenge in the process from 2008 - to secure a spot in Poland and Ukraine this summer.
Croatia are now faced with the challenge of having to navigate past a tricky draw as they enter the tournament in the same group as World and European Champions Spain, the mighty Italy and a resolute Republic of Ireland side who sit under the expert tutelage of Giovanni Trapattoni.
And if this wasn't enough, there are other substantial hurdles standing in the way of the Balkans as they look to reach the latter stages of the competition.
Bilic, who took charge of the national side in July 2006 and is the third longest-serving coach at the Euros (behind Denmark's Morten Olsen and Germany's Joachim Low), has already announced he will leave his current role after the tournament, agreeing a return to club football with Locomotiv Moscow.
The effect this will have on the team is unknown, though considering his close relationship with many of Croatia's key stars, it wouldn't be a surprise if this has unsettled the camp with the likes of Luka Modric, Vedran Corluka and Eduardo da Silva spending their entire international career under the 43-year-old.