Coach Slaven Bilic believes the absence of Arsenal striker Eduardo counted against his defeated Croatia side at Euro 2008.

Bilic, facing the media on Saturday after the night before's crushing penalty shoot-out quarter-final loss to Turkey, said: "I've already mentioned this but I would have liked Eduardo to be in the squad for the tournament.

"Sometimes we lacked bite in attack. Without him, we had problems in finishing."

Eduardo was ruled out of Euro 2008 after suffering a compound fracture of the left leg following a tackle from Birmingham defender Martin Taylor in February.

Bilic had already described the forward's absence as "a handicap", saying the team felt his absence in training and at matches.