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Spain identify Tottenham's Modric, Wolfsburg's Mandzukic as Croatia keys

Spain assistant manager Paco Jimenez has identified Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic as Croatia's key men at Euro2012.

The Spaniards, fresh off last night's 4-0 win over Republic of Ireland, meet the Croatians in the final Group C fixture on Monday and suggest they need to stop the Tottenham playmaker and the Wolfsburg striker.

"Croatia are playing very well and many of their fans have come to Poland and that gives them a lift that makes them more dangerous," Jimenez said.

"They have good players like Modric and Mandzukic and in defence it has worked out well for them putting Corluka in central defence.

"Modric has impressed me a great deal, he is a fantastic footballer and Mandzukic is playing very well.

"He gets up well to head the ball, he fights for everything and we are going to have trouble controlling him effectively."

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Andrew Slevison
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