England qualifier key test for Croatia's bid

Croatia see next month's Euro 2008 qualifier against England as a key test for their bid to host the Euro Championship in 2012.

Croatia has teamed up with Hungary in the hope of staging the tournament but they face competition from Italy and a joint Poland-Ukraine bid. UEFA will decide who hosts the event in December.

"If we prove capable of organising the match against England in an orderly manner it will be clear that we'll be able to host the matches at the European championship," Zorislav Srebric, the Croatian soccer association (HNS) secretary general, said.

Croatia will play their Group E match against England on Oct. 11 in Zagreb.

The successful handling of supporters, both visiting and local, is a key component of the HNS's efforts.

Croatian fans were involved in trouble during qualifying games in Malta and Hungary for the 2006 World Cup. FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the HNS last month following Nazi salutes made by some Croatia fans during a friendly against Italy in Livorno.