Jackie Cooney, Soccer Editor

Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - After clinching the top spot of European qualifying Group 8, Croatia enters its third consecutive World Cup with high hopes.

Zlatko Kranjcar's squad boasts an impressive qualifying campaign. The Croatians finished the fixtures undefeated, recording seven wins in 10 matches.

The team's greatest victory was over group rival Sweden. Midfielder Darijo Srna scored the lone goal of the match to hand Croatia the 1-0 win in Gothenburg.

Croatia enjoyed a four-game winning streak from March until June 2005, before Malta dealt the team a 1-1 draw in September.

Kranjcar's son, Niko, headlines the Croatia roster, along with fellow midfielders Igor Tudor and the Kovac brothers. The team's offensive line is led by Darijo Srna, who scored four goals in qualifying, Marko Babic and Croatia's top goal-scorer, Dado Prso, who recorded five goals during the fixtures.

Croatia faces Brazil June 13 in Berlin in its opening match.

Significant past players:

Zvonimir Boban, Slaven Bilic, Drazan Jerkovic (former Yugoslavia), Josip Skoblar (former Yugoslavia).

Achievements:

-- 3rd, 1998 FIFA World Cup France