The Croatia National Football Team
TheRecord of the Croatian Side Since the Break up of Yugoslavia
Oct 29, 2009
The golden days for the Yugoslavian national side came in the 1960's, when they won Olympic Gold, and made strong showings in the World Cup and European Championships. But following the break up of the country, several sides emerged each vying for individual success. Of these new teams, Croatia were the first to make an impact.
The first competitive task to face the Croatian national side was to attempt qualification for the 1996 European Championships. Their qualification group included another former Yugoslavian state, Slovenia, and three more relative newcomers to international football, Lithuania, Estonia and the Ukraine, who had come into existence following the break up of the Soviet Union. The seeded side in the group were Italy. However, the Croatians had other ideas, and a shock win in Rome was one of seven victories in the ten matches they played. Their solitary defeat came at the hands of the Ukraine. Having reached a major tournament at the first attempt, Croatia arrived in England brimming with confidence, and won their first match 1-0 against Turkey. Victory against Denmark and defeat to Portugal saw them finish second in their group and reach the Quarter Finals, where they were narrowly beaten by Germany, the eventual champions.
Croatia Clinch Third Place at the World Cup
Qualification for the 1998 World Cup in France pitted the Croats against Slovenia once again, as well as Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Croatian side was comfortably the best of the three former Yugoslav republics, and they also overcame Greece, but it was Denmark who gained revenge for Euro 96 and topped the group, forcing Croatia into a play-off. They were drawn against another old foe, the Ukraine, but this time they held their nerve, and won through. Once in France routine victories over Jamaica and Japan saw the Croats progress to the knock out stages, behind Argentina. They then defeated Romania before causing the upset of the tournament with a 3-0 thrashing of Germany in the last eight. They took the lead against the hosts in the Semi Final, but the French hit back with two late goals to deny Croatia an unexpected appearance in the Final. The journey was not quite over, however, as a shock 2-1 victory over Holland gave the Croatians third place, and won them the plaudits as the surprise team of the tournament.
Disappointing Championship Performances for Croatia
Croatia then came crashing back down to earth in the qualification for the 2000 European Championships. Drawn against Yugoslavia - essentially Serbia - and Macedonia, as well as the Republic of Ireland, Croatia drew three of their eight games, including two with Yugoslavia, and could only finish third in the group. Qualification for the 2002 World Cup was the next target, and for once the Croats were the only former Yugoslavian side in their group. They remained unbeaten against Belgium, Scotland, Latvia and San Marino to qualify in style. Following their showing in France the Croatians travelled to Japan and Korea with high hopes, but began poorly with defeat to Mexico. They then came from behind to stun Italy, but another shock defeat, this time to Ecuador, saw them fall at the first hurdle as they failed to repeat the heroics of four years previously.
The Croatians then stumbled towards Euro 2004, once again out-qualifying Belgium, but finishing second in their group behind Bulgaria. Another play-off followed, and the opponents were Slovenia. The home leg finished in a disappointed 1-1 draw, but a 1-0 victory in Ljubljana saw Croatia reach another major tournament. The finals in Portugal were not a success however, as Croatia drew with Switzerland and France before losing to England to go out in Round One. This was followed by the Croatians most impressive qualification campaign to date, as they maintained an unbeaten record in a group which included Sweden and Bulgaria to reach the 2006 World Cup in style. Yet again however the Croats were forced to take an early plane home, as a defeat to Brazil was followed with draws against Japan and Australia, and elimination at the group stage.
The Croats were once again back on form for the next qualifying tournament however, as they topped their group in style. Having been drawn against England and Russia, as well as old rivals Macedonia, the Croatian side might have been expected to struggle, but home and away victories over England saw them ease through. Once in Switzerland and Austria for the final tournament, they put their poor recent form on the big stage to rest, winning three out of three group matches, including a victory over Germany. But their tournament came to an end in the Quarter Finals, after a penalty shoot out defeat to Turkey.
Croatia Fail to Reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
Croatia’s next challenge was to attempt to reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Having qualified for every World Cup they had entered, confidence was high, especially after being drawn against England, whom they had eliminated from the last European Championships, and the Ukraine, who they had beaten to reach the 1998 World Cup. However, the ghosts of the past came back to haunt the Croatians, as they were twice beaten by a revitalised England side. Despite winning six and drawing two of their remaining eight matches, Croatia could only finish third in the group, and failed to reach South Africa.
