Day: July 14, 2018

The last time Croatia and France met on the world stage

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The two sides met in the semi-finals at the 1998 World Cup 20 years ago, when France was hosts. Sunday’s final match between Croatia and France will definitely bring memories for FIFA World Cup aficionados. There are parallels in many ways between that match and Sunday’s final. By far Croatia’s greatest and biggest success as an independent nation is making it in the semi-finals. They had almost unthinkably made it this far, while fancied France was riding a wave of Les Bleus frenzy. Making it in the semi-final was a great success for France too, but it was not inconceivable that they had made it that far. No words about Croatia’s performance, they had over-performed, even our expectations. With a result of 3-0 Croatia had beaten Germany in the quarter-finals, but one of their best overall performances of the tournament was their 3-0 win over Argentina in the group stage. France was solid in the back – they had conceded one goal before kick-off against Croatia in 1998 – much like this 2018 side. But back then they have been blessed with talent in midfield and up front with names like Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane littering their starting lists. Current France coach Didier Deschamps was captain of the English side in 1998 and led his team out on the pitch at the Stade de France against Croatia that evening in Saint-Denis. So as you can see there are some direct connections from that day too. Let us take you back in 1998. In the second half, the match between these sides sprang into life right away as Croatia’s goal scorer, Davor Suker broke through French lines to give Vatreni the lead. For a minute Lilian Thuram changed this advantage by stealing the possession on top of Croatia’s penalty area before lashing home his first goal in a France shirt. He hasn’t finished there. In the 70th minute, he scored the winning goal, making it 2-1 with a curling shot that any striker would be proud of. That situation reminded us of France defender Samuel Umtiti, who scored their decisive goal in the semi-finals at Russia 2018. What will tell the latest chapter of Croatia vs. France in the World Cup history books this time?  

Dalic: No excuses, we are ready!

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With the constant demand for selfies and autographs from Vatreni supporters, the luxury of having a few minutes of peace in his hotel lobby is a luxury that Zlatko Dalic has not been afforded of late. As they prepare for their biggest ever challenge – Sunday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final against France at the Luzhiki Stadium in Moscow, the former defensive midfielder is enjoying his time being in charge of the Balkan side. Calmly sitting from the team’s hotel in the center of Moscow he said: “We are still living our dreams, we are so close. Through my life and career, I went the hard way. I did not want to be just an average coach in Croatia. I had to start from the lowest club,” he said. “Within a year in Asia, I became the best coach, and for three years, I was coach of Al Ain [in the United Arab Emirates], who are like Real [Madrid] in Europe. That was a tremendous experience for me. I coached two of the biggest clubs in Asia, so when Croatia’s call arrived, I did not hesitate.” Dalic’s efforts have surpassed those of his mentor, Miroslav Blazevic a few months on, who led Croatia to a third-place finish in the country’s World Cup debut back in 1998. Croatia’s run in Russia, Dalic has compared to that of a fellow Mediterranean country that surprised the football world at UEFA EURO 2004. He said: “I see the connection between Croatia now and Greece in 2004, although they are two different styles of football. No one believed that they could be the [European] champions, but they were compact and had great teamwork. “There are two top teams in the World Cup Final. This will be our biggest game and our toughest opponent, for sure. France is very dangerous on the counter-attack. We had a tough journey to the Final, but there are no excuses, we are ready for the last game of the tournament.” Dalic believers that Croatia has what it takes to win the Trophy on Sunday evening, as the smallest nation to reach a World Cup Final since Uruguay back in 1950.