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His life is a novel, France-Croatia from 1998 a preface in gold letters. In this glamorous year of French sport, Miroslav Blazevic has placed his tiny, war-traumatized country at the top of the FIFA ranks. With a string of anecdotes (including the kepi he wore in tribute to Constable Nivel badly wounded by hooligans or his love affair with Vittel, Croatia's base camp) that "Ciro" tirelessly narrated, at 83 years, with precision and passion. This page of history written by the Vatreni – the Flamboyants – will turn to give place to the generation Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Mandzukic. For his greatest happiness. Confidences of this charming, mischievous and willfully teasing character
What emotions causes this finale in your home?
"A great pride. The whole nation, our little country lives only for this game. I know, as a coach with some experience, that France is a favorite. But I am confident that our players will surpass their abilities to bring us this immense honor of being world champion. We never thought that such a thing is possible, but everything is possible in football.
"Lilian Thuram still does not leave me alone"
You showed the way in 1998 but this generation is dislodging you from the Croatian Football Hall of Fame …
"I have long been proud , glad to have set the bar so high. But today, I pray that they will bring us into history and that later we talk about them. I'm not one to say salads, this final is very open and Croatia has some chances. It will be animated by a spirit of revenge and it is a concentration of talents perhaps more important than in any other team.
What comparison would you make between the generation of the Boban, Suker, Prosinecki that you led and that of Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Mandzukic?
"Listen, I told this generation" 'be 3 e of the World Cup and I will tell you that you are better than us '' because football has evolved a lot. They have already become 2 e ! The bottom line is that they are better than us. This delighted me because Zlatko Dalic (the Croatian coach) is one of my students. I am a happy teacher to see a student surpass me.
Is Lilian Thuram still haunting your mind today?
"I always wonder how he did it. After 20 years, Lilian Thuram still does not let me sleep, the bastard (laughs) . Even today, I think that Zidane's France team was less strong than mine.
What impression do you get from this French team that the Belgians criticized for its defensive play?
"I will only say one thing. My friend Didier Deschamps has not opted for the most friendly design but it is devilishly effective. Do not blame him, because in the end, it's the result that counts.
What will be the key to the game?
"These are the tiny details that make a huge difference on the field. Dalic take care of every detail.
What is your prediction for this final?
"I am a football coach. Predictions are for the naive, fools who think we can predict football. I kiss you. "
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