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Klasnic Hoping To Start Against Germany

Croatia's Ivan Klasnic hopes to be the first ever player to take part in a European Championship after a kidney transplant against Germany on Thursday...

Klasnic, 28, has undergone a remarkable recovery, having initially had a transplant and rejecting the organ and having to have yet another transplant.

German born, the Werder Bremen returned to action and has now received the call-up he never thought was possible: "I'm here to play and I'm 100 percent ready. I didn't come here to be a fan, I came here to play.

"I never thought I would be at the Euro. My first concerns were my health and return to playing football. Playing at the Euro is just a bonus."

While praising Klasnic, Croatia coach Slaven Bilic would not give an answer one way or another on whether he would play against the country of his birth in two days' time.

"It is great to have such a good striker in the team," said Bilic. "He is one of our five forwards in the squad, and we are counting on him at the championships."

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Klasnic Hoping To Start Against Germany