The reason why Croatia's golden generation is strong is that their parents have experienced the War of Independence

2022-12-13 16:02

The reason why Croatia's golden generation is strong is that their parents have experienced the War of Independence


Croatia is a small country with a total population of only 3.899 million, but this country has shocked the world! Because this is the third time for them to enter the World Cup semi-finals after the independence of the country. Not only did they win the third place when they participated in the World Cup for the first time, but they also won the runner-up in the finals of the last World Cup . How did such a small country occupy a place among the World Cup powerhouses?


Especially the golden generation. In the group stage, the outside world believed that Croatia 's golden generation would eventually come to an end in this World Cup, but this is not the case. Croatia not only eliminated the golden generation of Belgium, but also defeated the dark horse Japan and Brazil, the favorite to win the championship! And as the 28-year-old striker Bruno Petkovic who helped Croatia reverse the game at the last moment, he revealed in an interview the reason why the golden generation of Croatia, who entered the twilight of their career, has such tough physical strength and belief.


The reason why Croatia's golden generation is strong is that their parents have experienced the War of Independence


Petkovic scored a goal at the last critical moment in the quarter-finals when his team was behind Brazil 1-0, successfully tied and rewritten the game, advanced to the penalty shootout and scored the goal with his best penalty kick. Defeat opponents to advance to the top 4. It is worth noting that Croatia also won three penalty shootouts in the last World Cup and reached the final.


Petkovic, a national hero of the World Cup, said, "Compared to other countries, Croatia's mental strength is stronger than that of other countries, which allowed us to win the two World Cup penalty shootouts, because this fighting spirit is deeply rooted in our country's struggle for independence. in the hard struggle of time."


Petkovic believes, "Croatia is not only a small country, but also won independence through war 32 years ago. This has given some players whose parents have experienced war to have such a fighting spirit and mentality. We understand it from their parents. at this point."


Captain Luka Modric lost a loved one 31 years ago and was displaced


It is worth noting that the older players of Croatia's golden generation lived through the War of Independence. Among them, the 37-year-old captain Luka Modric had experienced the catastrophe of his grandfather being executed in public by Serbian soldiers 31 years ago. At that time, Modric, who was only 6 years old, had been displaced and became a refugee since then. Such a childhood The experience deeply affected him. Defender Dejan Lovren, 33, was also forced to relocate as a child by the War of Independence.


After Croatia won independence, it participated in the World Cup as an independent country for the first time in 1998, and reached the semi-finals to shock the world, but lost to the defending champion France in that session. Now, with tenacious tenacity, they have reached the top 4 semi-finals, and once again let the world see Croatia's spiritual will to fight to the end.


The reason why Croatia's golden generation is strong is that their parents have experienced the War of Independence


Petkovic also said that the current lineup has also introduced young players with great potential, such as the 20-year-old Joshko Gvardiol who has excellent defensive performance, and the golden generation has laid a solid foundation for them. I believe in the future Croatia will fight with a strong continuity and show it in the next semi-final or final.