This Racket is my gun
Said a Croatian tennis player in US open back in 1991. His name is Goran Ivanisevic. That time Croatia just became independent. According to Croatian president, After the war sports is the thing that represents nationality. They were about to free them selves from the racism of Yogoslavians in that time. Ivanisevic presented in front of the world that what is his nation facing when he started his sports tour.
Relationship between sports and Croatians is so old. We can probably say that Football is their culture. Though that started with Yogoslavians era. Yogoslavia is the 1987 youth world champion. Devon, Sucar Boban, Yarni played that time. That's why they had to face no trouble to appear in World cup with 2 million Population. France reached to semi's in their first world cup appearance and that was shocking, but Croatian football had a foundation to do well. And Croatian president supported the team and put 100% effort as a supporter, all the players become more active with the support. There is Country named Croatia many of them known by Football.
After 20 years that Croatia is in final. Before the world cup the Croatians hardly imagined that they will reach to this stage. They have already won the war of guns. But in the sports world, the promises they did make and they proved themselves eventually. They have build an image in front of the world with that. Whatever the result is in final match they have already written history.
Starting with success in first appearance in world cup. Ending up in group stage in 2002 and 2006. 98's world cup they had a sign of hope with Slaven blich. They had reach to the quarter finals in 2008 Euro cup, that was the time when Luka modric, Ivan rakitic was named as rising stars. Croatian was dreaming and these players too. But after 2 years in world cup they were unable to do something again. It was the hardest moment to face Croatians golden generation. After 4 years they have lost 2 time to goodbye the Brzil world cup once again. That time team's coach Nico Kovac said, We were unable to show the magic. Getting knocked out from the group stage has became Croatis habit then. Brazil to Russia 4 years time. In these 4 years there were no miracle. No one was saying that Croatia has improved themselves. But the number 8 brings something for Croatia. 20 years ago semi final, in 2008 quarter final, and Now Final. In these 4 years Croatia have passed bad times. Before reaching to the final they had to win a war.
After Brazil world cup there was storm of emptiness that face Croatia. At Europe's selection round they had to pay fine two times. In Italy a Croatian supporter wall most end the match throwing a cracker. Next leg there was a another big problem, Some one painted Naji Swastik's sign. In that pitch the Ital-Croatia match was held. Again they were fined, that was Croatia's a chapter of shame. In world cup selection they go defeated against Iceland and had to face play offs. That also became uncertain.
To select players for play off they had suspended the Coach Ante Chachi. 48 hours before the match selection match against Ukraine Dalic got the responsibility as a coach. He didn't even get enough time to practice. Though they defeated Ukraine.
Holding the hand of Dalic they qualified fore the world cup after defeating Greece. But Dalic had to face new challenge. Captain annd teams best player has to sign corruption case. And that sign was fake, after that he became the villain. Their target was to cross the group level.
Playing final is not a surprise for that team which has players like Modric, peresic, rakitic, Mandzukic. But the pain was unsuccessful 20 years. Dalic added new possibility to the team. He put his all life experience in the team, and that was the main story of Croatia's dream journey.
Dalic learned football coaching by holding the hands of Mirosluv Blajevic. And in 1998 Croatia reached semis by holding his hand. Dalic was not a football star though. And his coaching career in Croatia is not too long. He used to coaching the players of lower level. And in 2010 he took a bravery decision. He moved to Saudi Arab from Europe. He finished his 7 years coaching career there. He was suspended too from two clubs at there. At the end he took his team named Aal Ayin to CF champions league final. But very next season the same teams performance was too bad and Dalic had to face may troubles. He were unable to bear the troubles and left from there. Before the farewell he tweeted "he was so depressed looking at his player tolerating disrespect". But he had no anger on someone. He said goodbye lovingly. After that incident in 7 months all of a sudden he got Croatia's responsibility.
Football man management and tactics he had all experiences, but his honesty and bravery was the main thing to admire. He weren't able to play with Croatia team that's why he had a bad name, but now those days are gone. But that didn't happen suddenly' it took a lot of time. In world cup their first match was against Nigeria. 2nd half he wanted to put on Nicola Kalinic as substitution. AC milan striker has argument with that plan. That make Dalic somehow angry. After the first match he sent off Kalinic. After that the team became 22 mans team. But Dalic showed his bravery. And then there was a possibility of a break up of the team. Then Dalic put everything under control with his own hand.
In 2nd match they had to face Argentina. Before the match Dalic gifted Argentine coach Sampaoli a jersy. After every match he goes off the field by shaking hand with opponent coach. But that day he didn't find argentine coach after the match. He was unhappy for the reason. He confessed it though. He doesn't like to hide his emotions. Croatia's 2nd round and Quarter final was decided by penalty shoot out. And Dalic couldn't watch the penalty by his eyes. He was sitting with is head down in the dug out. After the win he stood up cried holding the players in his arms.
At group stage's last match he made 9 changes, his decision was not that good to some people. Argentines and Nigerians had showed their anger. But Dalic proved his decisions were not wrong. At the knock out stages Croatia has played every match 120 mins. Just remind the match against England, after 120 mins no one looked tired. But probably every one was tired physically. But the mental support that Dalic gave Croatian players that didn't let them lose.
Tactically Dalic proved himself. If he find teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona he will bring championship he said that a long ago. But he had not to get real, barca he moved up with Croatia like champs. He made every decision by looking at opponents ability and used his trump card luka modric so well. And he used Brojovic right in time at the Mid area.
Every thing was alright and that time Croatia faced another push. Before the semis they had to suspend teams vice-coach. In Russia he started talking against Russia. But Dalic was not interested to divert his mind off the field.
To reach to the final every team needs to face a lot of pressure. But Croatinas had done a lot more than that. But at the end whatever the result is Croatia has won our hearts.
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