Road open to quarter-finals, says Croatia’s Bilic

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic lauded his team for their 3-1 victory over Ireland, saying they had opened to road to the quarter-finals, though he conceded that going further at Euro 2012 could be tough.

“We showed that we can play,” Bilic said after the final whistle in a rain-swept Municipal Stadium in the western Polish city of Poznan, where Ireland and Croatia launched their Euro 2012 campaign.

“Maybe the Irish were the better team in some moments, but I think that if you look, the overall impression is that we were the much better team,” the former Croatia defender said.

“We are strong as a team, and I think that after this match we are getting even better and even stronger. I expect to play even better against Italy because the first match is the most difficult, and this is behind us.”

Bilic underlined that both teams had gone into the match fully aware that they had to perform.

“I’m sorry for the Irish. They were looking for a chance in this match. But it was the same for us,” he said.

Earlier, in the Baltic port of Gdansk, heavyweights Italy and Spain had drawn 1-1, meaning Croatia top the table.

“We have three points, and we’re top of the group,” said Bilic.

“One win would be enough to go to the quarter-finals.

“We cannot fly in the championship, but let’s go step by step. We respect all our opponents. We have no fear against anyone. Spain and Italy are favourites in our group, but I still think we are able to beat one of them.”