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She needed a passport. Urgently. She, like the footballers of her country, was going to Moscow for the World Cup final, to witness an important moment in the history of her country.
Of course, Wednesday night in the Russian capital, Croatian footballers have dug in their endless energy reserves to crush the English dreams in a captivating semifinal of the World Cup.
His victorious team was singing on the team bus, chanting in front of his hotel, while in Zagreb thousands of people were gathering in the center of the capital, filling the sky with plumes of red smoke . The next day, the Croatian government wore all the national jerseys of the country at its weekly meeting.
"This is the first time that this has happened to us, not many people had high expectations for this World Cup, some were not even sure to pass the group stages because the group it was not easy ". Sambol adds.
"There were parties in all places in Croatia, looking at public squares or pubs and after the end of the match, there were fireworks, firecrackers, cars that honking all the time, it was incredible. "
A country of four million – a 13th of England's size – had overcome demographic and economic obstacles to reach the top of football.
If Croatia beat France in Moscow on Sunday, it would not only be a sensational victory over a heavyweight football, but this Baltic country would become the smallest country to win the biggest prize since Uruguay in 1950
A football country, a superstar world
What is the secret of Croatia's success at this World Cup? First of all, it should be noted that it is not only in football that the country excels, suggesting that there is something in the composition of the country, in its character, in its attitude towards sport.
The men of Croatia are the defending water polo champions and the 2017 world handball championships, the men rank fourth, while at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Croatia ranked 17th in the medal standings. Argentina (43 million inhabitants) and South Africa (56 million inhabitants).
But for all the country's success in handball, volleyball and water polo, Croatia is a footballing country, as are Brazil, England, Argentina and France. The prospect of raising brilliant footballers increases when this country is in love with the beautiful game.
The teams do not reach the world finals without talented players and, at Luka Modric, Croatia has a very talented midfielder widely regarded as the best in the world in his position.
The 32-year-old's intelligence is unmatched in Russia and yet, despite being a superior talent to many of those around him, the captain is also willing to to suffer for his team. No player covered as much ground in Russia as Modric's 63 km (22.7 km when he was not in possession). He also scored twice in the tournament.
Surpassed in the first period by England, it was 5 feet 5 inches to Modric – his overtaking, his harassment, his refusal to yield – which led Croatia to victory.
Next to Modric in midfield is Ivan Rakitic, a player who covered only 0.2km less than the star of Real Madrid and who spends most of his weeks in Barcelona's colors, providing the great Lionel Messi. Two world class midfielders is a boon for any team.
There are others also: Mario Mandzukic of Juventus, Ivan Perisic of Inter Milan and Dejan Lovren of Liverpool who, according to the player himself, has revealed himself to be One of the best defenders in the world with his performance against England.
"Croatians are simply talented," Igor Stimac, a former coach of Croatia and a member of the Croatian team who reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, said 20 years ago. years. Luka Ivancic, managing director of Croatian Premier League football club HNK Rijeka, told CNN Sport: "I think it's the talent of the players, the motivation and the hard work, it's something of special. "
Refugees at the glory of the World Cup
Strong of his talent, Croatia is an inside steel team, who comes from behind in four matches in Russia and who becomes the second team to win two shots on goal in a single tournament.
Playing three games in overtime, Croatia did indeed He played 90 more minutes of football at this tournament than the finalists France.
Before the semifinal, manager Alatko Dalic admitted that the brutal 16-quarterfinal matches had affected his team, but that England was sportier. who has faded in the semifinal.
Croatia gained independence in 1991, during a conflict that lasted until 1995, and the characters of its players were formed by the bloody war of the Balkans.
Modric's father joined the Croatian army, his grandfather was shot dead by Croatian Serb rebels and his house was burned down.
The family fled to Zadar on the Adriatic coast, but thousands of grenades fell and bullets flew through the air.
"The war has made me stronger," Modric said. "We are not easy people to break, and there is a determination to show it, to show that we can succeed."
Vedran Corluka was born in Bosnia but fled to Croatia in 1992. Lovren was a refugee child after fleeing war-torn Bosnia, while Rakotic, the son of Croatian parents who fled during the war, grew up in Switzerland idolizing Robert Prosinecki, a former midfielder from Croatia
In childhood, these are players who have overcome more difficult challenges than those who could be presented on a football field. Lovren celebrates after quarter-final victory against Russia "class =" media_image "src =" http://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/180712095319-lovren-croatia-world-cup-large-169 .jpg "/>
