Slaven Bilic praises Croatia despite elimination

Croatia boss Slaven Bilic has praised his side despite their elimination from Euro 2012 after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Spain.

The Vatreni kept the scoreline goalless until the 88th minute, when Jesus Navas struck to end their hopes of progressing.

"I want to congratulate my players. It was a heroic game but unfortunately we didn't win. We defended very well, and we knew that we'll have our chances. We had the best ones in the match, but didn't use them. If we did we would be play in the quarter-finals," Bilic told Croatian national TV channel HRT.

"We tried everything. We defended, then we tried to press, to attack, everything was open, but at the end that was not enough. We came to win this Euro and the plan was not accomplished, but no matter, we left a good impression."

Bilic will take over at Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow next season.