Croatia wins World Cup bronze medal! | Croatia Week
and celebrates.
It is not that Brazil did not play its heart out, but that Croatia had an even bigger heart.
I could not take my eyes off this match.https://www.npr.org/.../croatia-brazil-fifa-world-cup... How could a country with a smaller population than Colorado manage to beat the number one ranked team, Brazil, in the world? They "stunned the world" with that win. Here are some theories. I could not take my eyes off this match. We have a dual citizen in our family because my late husband, Dr. Mike, was an immigrant from Croatia, and Croatia became a part of me, my children, and my love. I asked my ultimate soccer fan son what the secret sauce was. Not only does Croatia have a well-structured youth soccer program with skilled coaches, and Croatia is famous for a great Mediterranean diet and long-limbed DNA, but they also have no stars to which the ball must be passed. They have a team mentality and a deep bench. At least five of their players in this match came from local city clubs and never played on the international stage. True, several of their team play in premier leagues all over Europe, England, and Turkey. The incredible goalie was from one of those local teams, as was one scorer in the penalty round that won the match, and others were also from similar local clubs. Hats off to clubs Dynamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split...and the Osiijek club; hats off to the two players from Zadar. Their poise and confidence and never give up spirit were also displayed at the World Cup four years ago when they came in second to France. Also, note they are gracious winners and losers and play without getting many yellow cards. Even when they fall short but make a good show, their fans still cheer them to the max. There is a David v Goliath element in their loyalties. They are role models of sportsmanship in a billion-dollar sport not always known for such values. Here is an example of how such sportsmanship is part of Croatia's soccer players' psyche: A Croatian player's son ran across the field to console Neymar after Brazil was knocked out of the World Cup | Business Insider India
When Luka Modric was 6, his grandfather was shot dead. His family became refugees, in a war-zone. He grew up to the sound of grenades exploding. Coaches said he was too weak and too shy to play football. 
Luka Modric led Croatia to its first-ever World Cup final, won the Ballon d'Or, five Champions League titles with Real Madrid and many more trophies.
Luka Modric led Croatia to its first-ever World Cup final, won the Ballon d'Or, five Champions League titles with Real Madrid and many more trophies.
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