From bloody Balkan war to World Cup heavyweight: the making of Croatia as a soccer nation
By Vivianne Ericar Oruko - 2022-12-13 21:10:05 - [General]
Croatia’s World Cup pedigree is an altogether different story. In six World Cup appearances, the country has reached the semifinals on three occasions, while four years ago Croatia contested the final, ultimately losing to France.
Croatia only gained independence in 1991, during the bloody Balkan war which lasted until 1995 and its population is just under four million, though you’d never have known given the way it traded blows with soccer superpower Brazil in the quarterfinals, before winning a penalty shootout.
That success was very much a case of David knocking out Goliath given Brazil’s population is 214 million people.
Next up for Croatia is Lionel Messi and Argentina – population: 45 million.
Igor Štimac, who played in all of Croatia’s 1998 World Cup matches during its run to third place, told CNN that the country’s recent history has helped play a part in forging elite competitors.
“Our people went through many difficulties in its survival, in its independence, fighting for it, in the aggression which we suffered from our neighbors,” Štimac, who coached the Croatia national team between 2012-13, told CNN.
“These things are helping to stay with a great mental strength, great discipline, staying humble and surviving with the pride, whatever difficulties there are in front of us.
share on
Kindly Login or Register to comment and like and earn
Comments (0)
Others are reading
You should be compassionate and forgiving When I am afraid I put my trust in God Five things successful people do before 8am Success is something you attract by the person you become Christian Ronaldo threatens to break word history ever been made in sport word The most common Beaches in Yimbo West Ward in Bondo sub county The only dispensary in Bunyala south ward in Busia County Do the right thing when it’s hard If you don’t love someone neither use nor take things from them And a number of nations will be joined to the Lord in that day, and will become my people; and I will be living among you, and you will see that the Lord of armies has sent me to you.