On the eve of Wednesday's World Cup qualifying match against England, at least ten members of Croatia's national football squad ordered luxury gold-plated bibles worth over 2,000 euros each (2,830 dollars), Zagreb media have reported.

The bibles are reported to be in Croatian and in a limited edition of just 2,000 copies. Each copy comes complete with its own bookcase and a stand. Some players ordered two or three copies, the daily newspaper 24 Sata said on Wednesday.

The qualifying match for the World Cup seems to have prompted a wave of religious sentiment among the players - who appear to observant in any case. Coach Slaven Bilic is said to be inseparable from the medallion given to him by the late pope John Paul II and also wears three other medallions and crosses.

Goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa prays before every time he goes on the field and spends his summer holiday this year in a monastery on Korcula island in Adriatic sea.

Most players have rosaries made in Croatian monasteries and well- known priest Zlatko Sudac - who bears the stigmata - is a frequent visitor to the team.

Religious zeal or not, England will have a tough job defeating Croatia on Wednesday night in the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb.

Croatia eliminated England from Euro 2008 in the qualifying stages, and have never lost a game at home since starting to play international matches in 1994.