England gets a harsh reminder
Print Edition
Croatia was there at England鈥檚 lowest ebb this century in international soccer, and it鈥檒l be there as the English team tries to peak.
For many England supporters, the 2-3 loss to Croatia in November 2007 was a national embarrassment. Coach Steve McClaren鈥檚 tactics floundered as he clutched an umbrella in pouring rain on the sidelines at Wembley, and he was dubbed 鈥渢he Wally with the brolly鈥 following the loss that meant England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
A decade later a young, vibrant team has earned England a spot in the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 28 years and it will face Croatia again. The euphoria on the streets of London was matched in Zagreb, where Croats celebrated their country鈥檚 best World Cup run since 1998.
鈥淲e respect them and I think they respect us,鈥 said Croatia defender Dejan Lovren, who has played in England since 2013. 鈥淲e鈥檙e two great teams and it will be a great challenge for us and for them, so let鈥檚 see who will be better.鈥
Lovren is the only player in Croatia鈥檚 World Cup squad who is currently with an English club 鈥 Liverpool 鈥 although his teammates Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka both previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, and forward Andrej Kramaric was formerly at Leicester City.
England beat Croatia 4-1 and 5-1 in their last two meetings, World Cup qualifiers in 2008 and 2009, but the abiding memory for England fans remains that defeat in 2007.
Davor Suker, a star of the Croatian team that reached the 1998 World Cup semifinals and president of the national football federation, tried to play down the grudge factor ahead of Wednesday鈥檚 semifinal match in Moscow.
鈥淣ot revenge, it鈥檚 football,鈥 he said, adding that he wished Croatia was facing a weaker England team.
鈥淲hat I would like, England from before, but now England is very strong. We will respect this team.鈥
England won the 1966 World Cup but hasn鈥檛 returned to the final of the sport鈥檚 marquee event. In the semifinals in 1990, West Germany advanced on penalties over England.
Suker said England coach Gareth Southgate has built a team of 鈥渉ungry鈥 players motivated to win for their country and not distracted by the trappings of fame.
鈥淵ou know, the coach, what he has, football comes home,鈥 Suker said, referencing England鈥檚 鈥淭hree Lions鈥 song.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the hungry players, you see,鈥 Suker said, explaining that cash and fast cars can鈥檛 compare for players with competing for the biggest title. 鈥淛ust 11 against 11 warriors and that鈥檚 playing in the World Cup.鈥
Besides the semifinal on Wednesday in Moscow, England and Croatia will meet twice more this year in the new UEFA Nations League.
England will play Croatia away on October 12. The game will be played at an empty venue because Croatia is under a stadium ban from UEFA imposed in 2015 when a swastika was painted on its field ahead of a game. England hosts Croatia on November 18 in the return fixture.
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