When Croatia plays Poland in Klagenfurt on Monday evening, Dario Simic will not only be making his first appearance at Euro 2008 but he will also be making his 99^th appearance for the national team.

Šimić was a non-playing substitute in Croatia's first two games against Austria and Germany, both of which Croatia won. These two results enabled them to qualify for the quarter-finals as winners of the group regardless of the Poland result this evening.

And Šimić assures all doubters that Croatia will not be taking the Poland game lightly and will be as committed as ever, as the game gives fringe members of the squad a chance to show what they are capable of.  

Šimić went on to stress that because the team have nothing to lose, all the members of the squad are highly motivated for the game and it gives them a chance to really express themselves. He said that the players who may be regarded as reserves will get the chance to have a game, but pointed out that this was further evidence that all is going extremely well with the main group of players.

As his country’s most-capped player, Šimić first appeared on the international scene at Euro 96 in a game against Portugal, while his 50th appearance took place during the 2002 World Cup finals.