NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Virat Kohli
    Rohit Sharma
    Novak Djokovic
    Indian Cricket Team
    Rishabh Pant
    Rafael Nadal
    Hardik Pandya
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / Sports News / FIFA World Cup: 5 things to know about Croatia
    Sports

    FIFA World Cup: 5 things to know about Croatia

    FIFA World Cup: 5 things to know about Croatia
    Written by Sayak Basu
    Jul 12, 2018, 02:36 pm 3 min read
    FIFA World Cup: 5 things to know about Croatia

    With the World Cup coming to an end, the mercurial rise of this Croatian team has come as a beautiful surprise for football fans. The current squad has been dubbed as Croatia's 'golden generation' of footballers and they did not disappoint. Here are five interesting facts about Croatia's football team, their stars, and the country's history in previous editions of the tournament.

    Croatia's performance in previous editions

    Before making their way to 2018 final, Croatia's greatest World Cup achievement was the 3rd place finish in the 1998 edition in France. Notably, it was also their first World Cup appearance. Interestingly, France knocked them out in the semis and they would be looking to avenge their defeat, this term. Their lowest point came in 2010, when they didn't qualify for World Cup.

    Modric was impacted by the civil war

    The Real Madrid player was only six, when his hometown of Modrici was dragged into a civil war. Modric's home was burned to the ground. In December 1991, the Serbian army stormed through his village, executing his grandfather among others. Football helped him forget his pain, with his supportive family sending him to a sporting academy from an early age. A true champion indeed!

    Rakitic and Mandzukic lived in exile

    The Croatian goal-keeper Danijel Subasic recalls bombs being dropped on Zadar when he was a child. The other two star performers of the team, Rakitic and Mandzukic spent their childhood days as refugees in Switzerland and Germany respectively. These hard times, which this team has witnessed as youngsters, helped mould them into strong men who are ably carrying their country on their shoulders.

    Croatia's way to 2018 World Cup

    Croatia's road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup was not smooth as they came second in their qualifying group and thus had to qualify through the play-offs. In the play-offs, Croatia thrashed Greece 4-1 on aggregate. Mandzukic became the second highest goal-scorer of their group, netting 5 goals in as many matches. However, in the World Cup, they won all three group matches.

    Milan Badelj: The player you may have never heard of

    The defensive mid-fielder, Milan Badelj, started his career at Dinamo Zagreb and went on to play for Hamburg SV and finally for Fiorentina in 2014. Making his international debut in 2010, Badelj was a part of the Croatian squad in the 2014 World Cup, as well as the 2012 and 2016 Euros. In the current tournament, he helped his team by scoring against Iceland.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    FIFA World Cup
    Football
    Luka Modric
    Croatia Football Team

    FIFA World Cup

    'TIME' shares new cover featuring Deepika Padukone; netizens react Deepika Padukone
    Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Decoding their international career stats Lionel Messi
    Cristiano Ronaldo scores twice on record-breaking 197th international appearance: Stats Cristiano Ronaldo
    Kylian Mbappe appointed France football team's captain: Decoding his stats Kylian Mbappe

    Football

    Lionel Messi surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo with this major record Lionel Messi
    Paris Saint-Germain win the Ligue 1 2022-23 title: Key stats Paris Saint-Germain
    Rodrygo enters the record books for Real Madrid: Details here Real Madrid
    Erling Haaland slams Premier League record with season award wins Erling Haaland

    Luka Modric

    FIFA World Cup 2022, Morocco hold Croatia 0-0: Key stats FIFA World Cup
    FIFA World Cup 2022: Decoding the squad of Croatia FIFA World Cup
    FIFA World Cup 2022: Best midfielders to watch out for FIFA World Cup
    La Liga 2022-23, Real Madrid hammer Celta Vigo: Key stats Real Madrid

    Croatia Football Team

    FIFA World Cup 2022: Croatia beat Morocco to win bronze FIFA World Cup
    FIFA World Cup third-place play-off, Croatia vs Morocco: Statistical preview FIFA World Cup
    Lionel Messi scripts history, smashes these FIFA World Cup records Lionel Messi
    FIFA WC 2022, Argentina crush Croatia to reach final: Stats FIFA World Cup

    Love Sports News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    Sports Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023