http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/soccer/wires/05/09/2050.ap.eu.spt.soc.euro.2008.croatia.bilic.0613/index.html"]http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/soccer/wires/05/09/2050.ap.eu.spt.soc.euro.2008.croatia.bilic.0613/index.html

EURO 2008: Croatia's Slaven Bilic is an out-of-the-ordinary soccer coach

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) -Slaven Bilic is no ordinary soccer coach.

The 39-year-old Croatian has a law degree, writes poetry, is a lead singer and plays guitar in a rock band, and wears a silver earring.

But his next, and possibly greatest, challenge will be trying to live up to expectations set for Croatia at this year's European Championship in Austria and Switzerland.

"I will never be under more pressure than now,'' said Bilic, whose team beat England at Wembley to qualify for the tournament and essentially knock out the English. "I'm managing my own country. This is personal. It is not like I'm managing England or some other foreign nation.''

As part of his plan to relieve some of the pressure, Bilic recorded an anthem for Croatia at the tournament with his heavy metal band, Rawbau. The song is called "Vatreno Ludilo,'' or "Fiery Madness.'' Croatian fans call themselves "Fiery.''

"Playing in a band is like being a part of a team,'' said Bilic, whose only previous coaching job was with the country's under-21 team. "Atmosphere has to be good, and it needs good organization. Ultimately, someone has to be the boss who makes decisions.''

Bilic played along with Robert Prosinecki, Zvonimir Boban and Davor Suker in Croatia's stunning third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup in France.

Now, he's only three years older than the senior member of his squad, Niko Kovac. But maintaining authority while keeping friendly relations with his players was challenged in his first game as coach at the start of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Three of his players sneaked away from a training camp to visit a Zagreb nightclub in the eve of the match against Russia. Bilic kicked them off the squad, slapping them with a heavy fine. The match in Moscow ended 0-0.

"This situation has helped me understand how to deal with personal relations within the team,'' Bilic said. "My idea is hard work and discipline. Friendship should not be taken for granted.''

Those principles may contrast sharply with an infamous incident which brought Bilic into the limelight at the World Cup in France. During the semifinals against the hosts, Bilic - already with a yellow card - collapsed like he was hit by lightning after a tangle with popular France defender Laurent Blanc, who was sent off and missed the final.

"I feel no regrets because I didn't want to get another card,'' Bilic said. "Afterward, everyone was acting outraged like no one has ever acted to get an opponent sent off.''

Bilic said he has learned from the incident and moved on. Now, his focus is on how to find a replacement for Croatia's main striker, Brazilian-born Eduardo da Silva. The Arsenal forward, who scored 10 goals in 12 games for Croatia, had his leg badly broken while playing in the Premier League.

"We are seriously hit by Eduardo's injury, but we still have enough manpower to play better than in the qualifications,'' Bilic said. "Our goal is to play at least as good as the best teams in the tournament.''

Croatia, which started playing under that name when it split from Yugoslavia in 1992, has since taken part in all major tournaments except for Euro 2000. At Euro 2008, the Croatians will play Austria, Germany and Poland in Group B. They'll certainly get to test if they are as good as the best teams when they face the Germans.