Absolute Stunners Player Profile: Niko Kranjcar

Absolute Stunners Player Profile:  Niko Kranjcar (Croatia, Portsmouth)

Quick Facts:

Born:  August 13, 1984 in Zagreb

Position:  Withheld Striker/Attacking Midfielder

Clubs:  Dinamo Zagreb (2001-2004), Hajduk Split (2004-2006), Portsmouth (2006-)

Accolades:  Prva HNL Champion (2003 with Dinamo, 2005 with Hajduk) Croatian Cup Champion (2001, 2002 both with Dinamo) Croatian Supercup Champion (2002, 2003 with Dinamo, 2005 with Hajduk) FA Cup Champion (2008 with Portsmouth) 39 senior team caps

Pronunciation Guide:  Crank-yar

They call Croatia the Brazil of Europe, not because of its capacity to produce coffee, highly unequal income distribution, or propensity to produce buxom beach babes, but rather because the Croats play a highly attractive brand of one-touch, flowing, attacking football.  Nobody personifies this style more than Niko Kranjcar.  Equal parts Davor Suker and Kaka, Kranjcar has become among the first names on the team sheet for Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth and Slaven Bilic for the Croatian national side.  Kranjcar is noted for his ability to put 40 yard screamers past goalkeepers (just ask Scott Carson and the rest of the Three Lions).  He also manages to wheedle his way out of nearly impossible situations with his quick feet.  Oh yeah, and he is six foot one and often the fastest guy on the field.  His combination of skills, physical ability, and bloodline (his father Zlatko is a former Dinamo Zagreb striker and onetime national team manager) have made him a star in his homeland; Euro 2008 is his opportunity to become a household name throughout the rest of the world.  

Come June 8th, look out for the red-and-white tablecloth with the number 19 on the back.  Rumored for a transfer to a higher profile club (perhaps Arsenal) and destined to have a break-out Euro, you can say you knew him when...

And of course, the video evidence of Kranjcar's brilliance: