Remarkable Croatia defied all the odds
It was a dream run that came agonisingly close to being crowned with a World Cup title but for Croatia now comes a return to a harsh football reality of sketchy infrastructure and scandals.
With Luka Modric most likely having played his last major international tournament at the age of 32, and several of his team-mates, including Ivan Rakitic (30) and the 32-year-old Mario Mandzukic, in the twilight of their careers, Croatia’s presence in the World Cup final is an event unlikely to be repeated soon.
Modric can still win the Ballon d’Or, breaking the stranglehold of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Croats took to the streets on Sunday to celebrate despite their 4-2 defeat to France but the nation of 4.5 million knows its football future is all but secure.
Croatia almost failed to qualify for Russia, needing a 2-0 win in Ukraine in their last group match to earn second spot that sent them into a play-off against Greece.
It was the start of Zlatko Dalic’s term at the helm and he guided them to Russia where they played eye-catching football.
Dalic’s future, however, is still unclear despite having a contract until 2020.
“I will take a breather. I never take decisions overnight,” the coach said on Sunday when asked about seeing out his contract.
Dalic, however, knows any long-term decisions are difficult to take in Croatia, which is still engulfed in the biggest football scandal the country has seen.
Only last month a Croatian court sentenced former Dinamo Zagreb chief Zdravko Mamic to six-and-a-half years in prison for fraud and corruption.
Croatia’s state attorney has also charged Modric with giving false testimony in the case.
Coupled with the country’s limited resources to improve their infrastructure, it was no wonder Dalic called their World Cup run a miracle.
“We have definitely written ourselves into history, given the conditions and infrastructure back home, we are a miracle.”
It will take more than that to keep Croatia in the forefront of international football. –