Corluka Relishing Euro 2008 Pressure for Croatia

Croatia have qualified for six of seven major tournaments since declaring independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991.

Croatia defender Vedran Corluka believes high expectations among fans could drive the team to success at Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.

"We are feeling the pressure but that's what makes us good footballers and drives us on to achieve things in life," the right back told reporters in Croatia's Catez training base in Slovenia.

"We know what we can and should do at the European Championship and the pressure we are under is a positive factor.

Croatia have qualified for six of seven major tournaments since declaring independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, missing out only on the Euro 2000 finals.

The Croatians have made three successive group stage exits after finishing third in the 1998 World Cup in France and Corluka, 22, believes they are capable of doing much better at the June 7-29 event.

"Winning the tournament would be a good result but we have to progress from our group first.

"We haven't reached the knockout stage of a competition for 10 years and only if we succeed this time can we say that we have the makings of a great team.

"We have the highest ambitions but we are starting from scratch and the opening game against Austria (on June 8) will be crucial."

Croatia also play Group B rivals Germany in Klagenfurt on June 12 and Poland at the same venue four days later.