When football’s world governing body FIFA launched its free streaming service in 2022, it turned to UK filmmaker Louis Myles for one of its showcase documentaries – who turned to the remarkable story of football in Croatia for his subject matter.
Croatia: Defining a Nation describes the journey the sport has taken in this country, as seen through the eyes of three of the men who helped create it: Zvonimir Boban, Slaven Bilić and Igor Štimac. All were involved in the great Croatian team of the 1990s, that rose out of the country’s independence to come within one match of a World Cup final in 1998.
To put that into context, England have played one World Cup final since first taking part in the tournament in 1950. In fact, Croatia beat England that to reach their most recent World Cup final in 2018.
This next great generation of Croatian players, led by Real Madrid star Luka Modrić, now takes the stage once more in Qatar. For the finals in late 2022, the status of Croatia is on the same level with the Brazil, Spain or Germany. The red-and-white checkerboard shirts the players wear has spread the brand of Croatia across the world. The billions of viewers watching the tournament recognise the colours instantly, the same as when seeing the bright yellow shirts worn by Brazil. Holidaymakers buy branded beach towels, sun hats and T-shirts bearing the Croatian flag, associating the colours with the exciting football they have seen on TV.
And yet this is a country of barely four million people, whose football team only dates back to 1990. The Croatian Football Federation, however, was formed 110 years ago, in the Habsburg days of 1912. The game developed here much as it did around Central Europe, with skilful passing and intelligent coaching.
This, coupled with an accent on sport from an early age, a healthy diet and plenty of opportunity for outdoor activity and exercise across the country, allowed Croatia to make great strides, quickly, after independence in the early 1990s. There is also a huge pride in playing for the national team. It’s no coincidence that the multimedia museum dedicated to its history and achievements, right by the main square in the capital, Zagreb, is called Budi ponosan: Be Proud.
Many of Croatia’s key players came from humble beginnings, another factor in the team’s success. Luka Modrić learned many of his skills as a boy playing in the streets and car parks of Zadar. When he went to play for the famous English club, Tottenham Hotspur, he knew he had to work twice as hard as his teammates to have an influence on the game.
The modest background of the Croatian players helps to create a team spirit, an attitude of never giving up or letting their colleagues down. To reach that final in 2018, Croatia had to play three consecutive matches that ran to 120 minutes, each 30 minutes more than the regulation time of 90. Key players, such as Modrić, had also played long seasons with their clubs, domestic as well as European campaigns, and yet they still gave everything for their country, until the very last drop of sweat.
Sadly, with Luka Modrić 38 years when World Cup 2022 begins, this will be his last major tournament. But a new generation of Croatians is coming through, just as keen, just as hungry and just as eager for their talent to shine on the global stage.
This article is sponsored by The Croatian National Tourism Board: 'Croatia Full of Life'.
