Reuters Soccer Blog
World Soccer views and news
Euro 2008: Conjugal visits for Croatia
Email 
Print
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has banned visits to his Euro 2008 camp by friends and acquaintances but he is happy to let his players enjoy an afternoon with their wives and girlfriends … as long as they announce their visits in advance and don’t disrupt the morning and evening training sessions.
Bilic started the Euro 2008 campaign by sending home three players for a binge-drinking escapade ahead of their first qualifier against Russia in Moscow but he is unlikely to have such problems here.
Croatia are staying in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, a tiny village where the bulk of the population appears to be over 60, so presumably any form of entertainment is welcome.
Is he taking a chance, though, with letting his men see their better halves during the tournament? It may affect team discipline but morale should go through the roof.
Zoran Milosavljevic, Bad Tatzmannsdorf
For full coverage of Euro 2008 click here
Comments RSSPost Your Comment
-
Author Profile
-
Excellent idea – as long as he’s in control of the situation. You’re right – moral will go up. Coaching is all about (1) control (2) spirit – and therefore Bilic is hitting the right chords. Still – this guarantees nothing – particularly in a tourney as competitive as the Euros. Winning comes down to the moment – and who can seize it.
Great idea. Must be boring as hell those training camps. If only the Dutch had thought of it.
great idea, if only they introduced it for journalists too.
Something obviously worked …. Croatia 2 Germany 1.
Indeed Kevin.