Croatia is a harsh reminder for England
Croatia was there at England’s lowest ebb this century in international football, and they’ll be there as the English team try to peak.
For many England supporters, the 3-2 loss to Croatia in November 2007 was a national embarrassment. Coach Steve McClaren’s tactics floundered as he clutched an umbrella in pouring rain on the sidelines at Wembley, and he was dubbed “the Wally with the brolly” following the loss that meant England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
A decade later, a young, vibrant team has earned England a spot in the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 28 years and they will face Croatia again.
The euphoria on the streets of London was matched in Zagreb, where Croats celebrated their country’s best World Cup run since 1998.
“We respect them and I think they respect us,” said Croatia defender Dejan Lovren, who has played in England since 2013. “We’re two great teams and it will be a great challenge for us and for them, so let’s see who will be better.” Lovren is the only player in Croatia’s World Cup squad who is currently with an English club, although his teammates Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka both previously played for Tottenham, and forward Andrej Kramaric was formerly at Leicester City. England beat Croatia 4-1 and 5-1 in their last two meetings, World Cup qualifiers in 2008 and 2009, respectively, but the abiding memory for England fans remains that defeat in 2007.
BGRUDGE FACTOR
Davor Suker, a star of the Croatian team that reached the 1998 World Cup semi-finals and president of the national football federation, tried to play down the grudge factor ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final match in Moscow.
“Not revenge, it’s football,” he said, adding that he wished Croatia was facing a weaker England team. “What I would like, England from before, but now England is very strong. We will respect this team.”
England won the 1966 World Cup but haven’t returned to the final of the sport’s marquee event. In the semi-finals in 1990, West Germany advanced on penalties over England.