VIDEO NASTY
Croats’ No2 ditched after Russian row
CROATIA desperately attempted to fend off a major diplomatic incident with Russia last night by sending home an assistant coach who posted a pro-Ukraine video which has enraged the host nation.
The Croatians removed former international Ognjen Vukojevic, 34, from their delegation and also apologised on behalf of defender Domagoj Vida, who also contributed to the video which dedicated their quarter-final win over Russia to a country in a state of war with the hosts.
In the video, Besiktas defender Vida, who used to play for Dynamo Kiev, shouts: ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ before assistant coach Vukojevic, who also had a lengthy spell with Dynamo, adds: ‘This is for Dynamo and Ukraine.’
The video has infuriated some Russians and some analysts feel that Croatian fans’ safety may even be at greater risk.
Croatia have traditionally supported Ukrainians against Russia, which took Serbia’s side in the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s.
Modric and Rakitic are the best midfield pair in the World Cup Croatia have had a lot of tears, it is a motivating factor
DESPITE strong English connections, there won’t be any split loyalties for Slaven Bilic when his two favourite nations meet in tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final. ‘I can’t lie and say my feelings will be 50-50 or even 99 per cent Croatia and one per cent for England,’ he says with typical forthrightness. ‘I love England but 100 per cent I want my country to reach their first final.’
Nobody will be offended by that. Not only has Bilic represented Croatia at major tournaments as player and manager, he’s also friend and mentor to many of the current crop who will step out at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium to face Gareth Southgate’s rejuvenated team.
Bilic first met Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka as the counHe’s try’s Under 21 manager, when they were unknown youngsters with barely enough pocket money to see them through away trips.
It was Bilic who handed Ivan Perisic, Mario Mandzukic and goalkeeper Danijel Subasic their first international caps.
And it was Bilic who went to Basle in Switzerland to persuade 19-year-old Ivan Rakitic and his parents that he should follow his heart and represent Croatia rather than his adopted country.
‘There have been a lot of tears along the way for these Croatian players. I am sure it’s been a big motivating factor,’ says Bilic, who as a compelling part of ITV’s team, has watched on with paternal pride in Russia.
‘At Euro 2008, we were 10 seconds from the semi-final when Turkey equalised and beat us on penalties. Luka and the others will remember the dressing room afterwards, full of tears.
‘The players were slaughtered when they didn’t qualify for the 2010 World Cup. In 2016, they thought they were going to do something at the Euros until a late goal from Portugal.
‘Those memories are painful and the players realise this is their time. It’s a perfect storm. They are in the better half of the draw and we have a proper team, full of quality, full of experience. They play for big clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan. And they have this incredible spirit, like England have.’
While some may question Croatia’s fitness having seen two knockout games against Denmark and Russia go the full distance and penalties, Bilic sees the glass halffull and regards those victories as a huge lift to the national psyche.
‘You know, we have always shown we can do well against the big nations,’ he says. ‘When I played we beat Germany 3-0 at the 1998 World Cup (in the quarter-finals). At the last Euros, we defeated Spain. We won 3-0 against Argentina a couple of weeks ago.
‘It’s the tighter, uglier games that have been our downfall. Turkey was the perfect example 10 years ago. We went out of the last World Cup to Mexico. Euro 2016 was 0-0 in the knockout stage and Ricardo Quaresma scores for Portugal with three minutes left in extra time.
‘So we feared the worst in a penalty shootout against Denmark. But this team showed something different. They found a way to win, and then against the hosts as well.
‘Yes, an extra day’s rest before England would have been nice, but don’t underestimate the confidence these two results will give us.
‘I think England have had a similar experience. If they had beaten Tunisia easily in the first game, it wouldn’t have taught them anything. But they had to fight, Harry Kane scored in the last minute and they have momentum.’
Bilic, 49, was part of the last Croatia team to reach the semifinals in France 20 years ago when the hosts beat them 2-1. He was an Everton player at the time, having previously played for West Ham. It fostered a love and respect for English football that later saw him return to the Hammers as manager, famously beating Manchester United in the last game at Upton Park.
always had a special bond with Modric, who was the fulcrum of Bilic’s Croatia team that won 3-2 at a rainy Wembley in 2007, giving then England manager Steve McClaren the unwanted moniker: ‘Wally with a Brolly’.
With the arrogance of youth, Modric said in the aftermath: ‘English players look more powerful on television than in the flesh.’
He has since matured and become one of the finest players of his generation, winning three consecutive Champions Leagues with Real Madrid.
‘Luka and Rakitic are the best midfield pair in the World Cup,’ says Bilic emphatically. ‘But don’t underestimate the rest of the team either. For me, Dejan Lovren and Domagoj Vida have been fantastic centre backs, among the best in the World Cup.
‘England will be a different opponent to Denmark, Russia or even Argentina. They really have a lot of pace, like Belgium, and get plenty of numbers forward. Croatia will have to plan for that. But Croatia can also cause England problems they haven’t had before.’
Bilic has been a big hit with television viewers over the last three weeks. His response to another tortuous VAR debate — ‘I don’t care!’ — even raised a smile from fellow pundit Roy Keane. And he understands only too well the excitement in England as they attempt to reach their first final since 1966. But he also knows what this means for his country.
When England captain Bobby Moore lifted the trophy in 1966, Croatia was still forcibly part of Yugoslavia and wasn’t able to declare its own independence until 1991.
Sport has played a huge part in fostering national pride.
Bilic is reminded again of the match at Wembley: England 2 Croatia 3. Could there be a repeat scoreline in Moscow?
‘I do think it will be a close and exciting game,’ he smiles. ‘And that result would be great.’