It has taken twenty long years, and many tournaments, but Croatia finally have a team that can emulate their French conquest of 1998.
25th June, 1991 was a remarkable day in Soviet history. Millions of people heaved a sigh of relief and cried tears of joy, as Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia. The people were no longer bound to a state they felt no attachment towards, and it was an ending that signaled a new beginning – over three million Croatians could finally (and officially), refer to themselves as such.
Almost a year before this joyous occasion though, the Croatians were still very much a part of Yugoslavia. They resided in Yugoslavian borders and were still in the process of fighting for a separate nation. They were very much Yugoslavian citizens at that point, and had to abide by the country’s rules, and respect the nation itself.
On the 3rd of June, 1990, the Yugoslavian team walked out onto the field in the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. They were jeered and booed throughout the match, a wave of uneasiness and hostility spreading across the stadium as the Croatians present were not shy to show their disdain towards Yugoslavia. Football was only a medium; the message sent in those boos was a much bigger one. It was the Netherlands that Yugoslavia were playing, and the game ended 0-2 in favour of the former. A loud cheer went across the stadium for the same as the away team stood soaked in applause from a home crowd.