"I think now everyone realizes that Croatia really is a footballing nation. You can't be part of the elite with such a small base of people if you don't have something special. Our young footballers have that special football gene and the reaction of all people in Croatia confirms that this sport is an indispensable part of our identity".
This was stated by the former vice president of Fifa and former Milan player Zvonimir Boban in an interview with the Sportske Novosti newspaper on the eve of the semifinal between 'his' Croatia and Argentina at the World Cup.
"It was fantastic to overcome a very difficult Japan - he added - but it was predictable. But to beat Brazil who, let's be realistic, are individually stronger than us, a great effort was needed. And the Croatians had a fantastic fight. "They showed the character of indestructible fighters who have their goal and are ready to do anything to achieve it. This was the greatest success of Croatian football in its relatively short and rich history, the biggest and most important."
"If in France one could say beginner's luck and in Russia one could say that something happened after several decades, however the confirmation in Qatar clearly means that Croatia has achieved a high level of continuity and is not a meteor. That's why the coach Dalić and the players deserve all the honors."