From War to World Cup - The Story of the Croatian National Team

In June 1991, Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia kickstarting their War of Independence lasting for five years. Within seven years though, Croatia had reached the World Cup semi-final and were one of international football's biggest overachievers. How did they do it? Rising from the ashes, this is a two-parter into their story and their unique journey that may still have a twist in store yet...
Part 2: • International Football...
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter/X: / intothefray_yt
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction
00:56 - Context: The Rise and Fall of Yugoslavia
04:28 - Euro 1996
08:08 - 1998 World Cup
13:48 - Euro 2000 ft Yugoslavia Interlude
18:52 - 2002 World Cup
21:08 - Euro 2004
24:03 - 2006 World Cup
26:33 - Outro
SOURCES:
The Analyst:
theanalyst.com/eu/2022/12/cro...
CBC Sports:
www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/yugo...
CNN:
edition.cnn.com/2022/12/12/fo...
Culture Trip:
theculturetrip.com/europe/cro...
Euro News:
www.euronews.com/2018/07/14/f...
FIFA:
www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/arti...
www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/arti...
The Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/football/...
www.theguardian.com/football/...
www.theguardian.com/football/...
www.theguardian.com/football/...
www.theguardian.com/football/...
iNews
inews.co.uk/sport/football/wo...
Reuters
www.reuters.com/article/us-so...
VAVEL:
www.vavel.com/en/internationa...
MUSIC:
Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Thanks for scrolling, have you noticed that subscribe button later? It's looking increasingly clickable! #ConfederationsCup #WorldCup #Nostalgia

[@rodneydelboy6910]

I will never forget the world cup in Russia. The whole country was drunk for a month and it was all ended by a welcoming of players in my hometown of Zadar where hundreds of boats gathered in the bay and lit flares. It was unforgetable.

[@intothefray12]

That sounds like a great memory!

[@Thehussite]

Same i comed to zadar from Sukošan

[@santosh92]

Croatia should have so won in 2018 if it weren't for the refs

[@intothefray12]

I dare say that'll be covered in Part 2...

[@giorgosfylaktou2610]

ΖΗΤΩ Η ΓΑΛΛΙΑ. VIVE LA FRANCE 🇫🇷 👍👍

[@meditationnew2554]

@@giorgosfylaktou2610Does your wife beat you? 😂

[@bangi2757]

​@@giorgosfylaktou2610 Eat kebab and enjoy.

[@kageryu311]

No thet shouldn't. They were outmatched in the final. And they are penalty merchants.

[@vladimirvavamikulic921]

Excellent, young man, ggreat job, congrats. I am a Croat living in BiH and am happy that you have given a pretty corect historical review of war events in our region since many people worldwide have got wrong ideas about it. I am proud of Croatin successes in football, such a asmall nation making rocketing reaches. Though you might improve your video by a bit more correct pronunciation of names of players, but I a, aware that it is rather hard for nonmothertongue speakers😉😉 Wish you all the best Vladimir Mikulić Vava

[@intothefray12]

Thank you Vladimir for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and hope you have managed to catch the second one on Croatia!

[@vladimirvavamikulic921]

Thnks...sorry, have not seen the second one...shall try to catch it...all the best 😎😍🖑🖐🖑🖐

[@SeedSnatcher]

The Simunic 3 yellow cards incident is such a bizarre coincidence. Simunic was born in Australia and the referee said he got confused by Simunic's accent

[@renato19862]

Us Croatians are warriors. We never attacked anyone. Butt,still,we defeated the fourth strongest army in Europe that wanted to erase us from the face of the earth..

[@trancecod]

pa i nije bas da nikad nikog nismo napali 🤣

[@AdarshDas-np6ut]

He is too good with his videos to get such less views. You'll blow up one day.

[@intothefray12]

Thank you my man!

[@JCleeseVK]

Completely agree. Keep up the good work and all the best from Croatia :)

[@intothefray12]

@@JCleeseVK thank you so much man, all love to Hrvatska!

[@gojvac7422]

Amazing. Video series is a great idea. Your storytelling skills are great, keep doing what your doing. You will blow up one day. Best of luck from Croatia and thank you for this. ❤🇭🇷 makes me proud.

[@intothefray12]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@gm9884]

great video, thank you...people are often wondering about our "secret" and they often refer to our War for independence from Yugoslavia, but that is just a part of our story, the most recent part...sometimes it gives the impression that we have just shown up 30 years ago...Truth is that Croats were waiting to have their own country AGAIN for almost 1000 years...that's the reason for immense pride of this generation, we have achieved something that generations of Croats were dreaming about...throughout the history, our country was invaded, divided, we were constantly fighting and that is one of the reasons why so many Croats live all around the globe but it also contributed to our mentality

[@intothefray12]

Thank you! Your added context is always welcome. I've only visited Zagreb in Croatia but you can feel the pride bursting everywhere.

[@arsenalfan5366]

What a great video it was. Croatia is now a football powerhouse. Take your time with part 2 and take your time with my 2 video ideas about Greece 1994 World Cup Disaster and Saudi Arabia 2002 World Cup Disaster.

[@intothefray12]

Thanks for the continued support, I really appreciate it

[@andrejmiskatovic8085]

Huge thank you from Croatian 😊 Just for this video you have subscribe from me

[@intothefray12]

No problem, Welcome!

[@goranzovko865]

The base for selecting players is much larger than the population of Croatia. All Croats from Bosnia and Herzegovina and a large number from the diaspora play for Croatia. It would be correct to say: a great success for a country with less than seven million inhabitants.

[@intothefray12]

This is a fair point, thanks for raising. It's just hard to quantify as there will be Croatians who have instead played for different national teams too. Population is the simplest way to measure it, but I do understand your point. Thanks for watching

[@goranzovko865]

@@intothefray12 We don't have many cases of Croats playing for other countries Fredy Bobic - Germany Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Sweden Josip Drmic - Switzerland Mark Viduka - Australia Ivica Vastic - Austria Branko Strupar - Belgium

[@intothefray12]

@@goranzovko865 almost certainly not, but still impossible to properly quantify. Check also Nicolas Bilokapic, good young keeper, playing for Australia's youth team

[@richardthompson3346]

I had not thought of this. Now it makes Uruguay, with only 3.4 million people even more impressive.

[@000netko]

No joke, this is one of the best short explanations of Yugoslavia

[@intothefray12]

Thank you so much. It's one of my favourite areas of history so wanted to get it right!

[@bluegrasscrypto22]

Incredible video, and the context just sucks me in even more! Croatia have been so impressive given their battered past. Keep the videos coming mate!

[@intothefray12]

Thank you mate!

[@matthiasw8777]

Love these videos, really well done. The research you do is respectable and so impressive, as well as the video quality. Also love the parallels to the other Yugoslav nations. Maybe in the next episode mention something about refuges from other Yugoslav nations doing well for other nations, like Xhaka and Shaqiri. A small note from a German fan: Die Mannschaft is not the nickname of the German National team, it was one done by the DFB but it is considered incredibly artificial and no longer officially used.

[@intothefray12]

Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it! Good call on Die Mannschaft, I should know better since I used to live in Germany. Hope to keep making the videos better for you!

[@vanjahruska5661]

I'm croatian. All my life (33 y/o) football is a big thing in Croatia. From childhood until growing old football is always in our lives. We always knew that we were good, we just wanted to prove it again after 98'. It happened in 2018 and again in 2022. Our national team is legendary. There is an old song it goes:"Neka pati koga smeta, Hrvatska je prvak svijeta". Translated it means loosely:"Those who are bothered by it, let them suffer, Croatia is the champion of the world".

[@donaldmoss3326]

Great video with historical background. It is worthy to mention that former Yugoslavia was an opressive form of comunism that Croations resened and rejected.

[@intothefray12]

Yep it's no surprise that Croatia was one of the quicker nations to turn towards independence. Thanks for the kind words!

[@danijelsan81]

Thanks for doing this special on my beloved homeland. I watched that whole history unfold and the memories are bittersweet. I remember vividly the loss against Germany in 1996, the rupture of the leading goal against France in 1998 and the gut punch Thuram served us. 1998 was the year my mother died and the year we fully reintegrated the last occupied territory of Croatia. I remember that losing goal against Turkey in the last second of the second extra time. At this point I already lived in the U.S. where I watched the game. I screamed so loud the cops showed up at my door thinking there was trouble going on. 😂 Was that 2008 euro? I remember the first game Luka Modric played for the national team. Being from my hometown, I took notice and followed him thereafter and throughout his entire career. In 1998 I was convinced that I would never see our team in the WC semifinals again in my lifetime. In 2018 we surpassed that achievement. It was unbelievable! Now when I traveled internationally, whether to China, Nepal or Morocco everyone knew of my country and could even pronounce a few of our players’ names correctly. Will I live to see us play in the WC finals ever again? Who knows; but we have proven to ourselves that it is possible. Another bronze in 2022 was an incredible achievement we all took a bit for granted. Some of the most memorable moments of my life are tied to our national football team and their story is the story of our lives. Thank you for telling that story!

[@intothefray12]

Thank you for your kind words and thank you even more for telling your story. I love hearing stories like this of how football and the lives of regular people can be so intrinsically linked. It's exactly why I love doing these videos and I'm so glad it resonated with you. ❤️

[@tomasmaniago5832]

Amazing video! And you shouldn't apologize for the history lesson, whe n it comes to international football, the history of the country is key to understand the team as well. Looking forward to part 2!

[@intothefray12]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@TrepeFan]

Great Video! One of the reasons for the success is the good work with the youth players in Croatia.

[@intothefray12]

Thank you so much!

[@norisknofun9720]

1996 match against Germany, ref was on a mission. Penalty is questionable, red card ever more questionable. And Sammer's goal, would not stand in football today as it was clear foul before the goal. While match against Portugal, we sent B team, because our coach wanted to play against Germany...dumbest decision ever and...it wasn't Civil war...don't insult is like that...it was aggression by Serbia, as they wanted to conquer whole Croatia

[@ytubeu7450]

Yes

[@StylesClashful]

Incredibly well researched video. Take your time with part 2 and can't wait for more content.

[@intothefray12]

Thank you very much!

[@pellevanlig245]

Some individual achievements. Tomás Felipe Carlovich, late and legendary player with Croatian roots from Rosario (Arg) and his legacy over there. Although recognized as the best he refused to play for the Argentinian national team (era of Pasarella, Ardilles, Kempes and Diego). J. Skoblar´s achievement in the French league and his legacy over there. : An Olympique Marseille - striker with incredible club record. Ivan Gudelj (the 80s), in his youth at the age of 17-18 chosen to be that year´s world´s best youth player. Were about to signed for Real but couldn´t due to illness (jaundice). Many other things you already know about like Dinamo´s youth academy.

[@intothefray12]

Afterthoughts: - I got a better mic! 🎉 I've learned to configure it now so it should be better in the next video. - Also I should learn not to put my water in the shot. I'm not sponsored by Buxton! - The second part will be released around Christmas/New Year. I can't wait to get it made for you. - In the meantime expect videos about the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024. - Let me know what you thought of this video and what you want to see next on my channel! - Thank you for watching

[@iv6872]

Another great vid with a deep dive. Well done sir!

[@intothefray12]

Thank you so much!

[@lukabarisic7080]

The timeline of Croatian performance through all the major tournaments with some added commentary (if anyone gives a damn): Euro 1996: Not only the beginning, but the actual prime of the first Golden generation (they spent their youth playing for Yugoslavia). A great team with solid players all around, the standouts were Šuker, Boban and Prosinečki, while Asanović and Vlaović were the most underrated in my opinion. They showed their quality in their first two matches, while in the third with Portugal, Blažević decided to field the second team, there were even claims that he was gunning for the Germans in the quarters (which is insane to me, but he was a bit insane). The qf match was well contested, Germany won, but that Sammer goal was preceded by a blatant foul. Still, a great result. World Cup 1998: The twilight of the GN. They played well, France deserved to win, and they beat a formidable Dutch side (that was actually the better team throughout the match) for the bronze. Euro 2000: The end of the GN. There was no transition into a new proper generation of players, so they failed to qualify. Nothing to add here. World Cup 2002: The beginning of the "darker period". They beat Italy (Croatia always causes problems for the Italians), but lost the other two matches. They lacked grit, creativity and finishing. All in all, it was not an unrealistic result. Euro 2004: The worst Croatian team ever. They drew with Switzerland, lost to England, and drew with France (though Trezeguet's goal was off a handball, but who cares). Honestly, qualifying was the most that team was capable of. No notable players, except maybe Tudor and Pršo. World Cup 2006: Great qualifiers, again disappointing in the group stage. The loss to Brazil was expected, but the draws against Japan and Australia not so much. This team could have done better. Euro 2008: The beginning of the new Golden generation. Amazing in qualifiers, they left England at home, and they won all three of their group games against Austria, Germany and Poland. They played well against Turkey in the quarters, taking a late lead, only for the Turks to equalize seconds from the end. After that shock, they had no chance on penalties. Disappointing, but a learning experience. World Cup 2010: Failure to qualify. The team was more than good enough, so this is simply a failure, nothing else to say. Euro 2012: Group of death with eventual finalists Spain and Italy. They beat Ireland, drew with Italy, and narrowly lost to Spain. Can't fault the team here as the group was tough. World Cup 2014: Another underachievement. They lost to Brazil fairly, although the ref was there for Brazil just in case, trashed Cameroon, but fell short in the most important game against Mexico. Euro 2016: Amazing in the group stage, they won it and also beat Spain. Were unfortunate to get Portugal in the next round. This team was solid and creative, and they played well, but they did not have enough to edge out the eventual winners. World Cup 2018: The pinnacle of the generation. Won all of their group matches, including the trashing of Argentina. After that they showed immense heart and calm under pressure to beat both Denmark and the hosts Russia on penalties, and to knock out England in extra time. In the final, though I will again say that France deserved it in the end, there was also bad luck (Mandžukić's own goal) and referee stupidity (the penalty). After that they were completely spent and had nothing left to give. Still, a historical result. Euro 2020: Nothing much to say, the team was still competent, went through the group, but fell in an amazing match against Spain (3:5 after extra time) in the next round. World Cup 2022: The beginning of a new generation. The team was ok, got out of the group with Belgium and Morocco (thanks Lukaku), they beat both Japan and historically Brazil on penalties, fell to Argentina, and beat Morocco for the third place. Another historical achievement. Additionally, this team also finished second in the Nations League, adding another international medal for Croatia, now counting at four. If anyone from Croatia wishes to add another comment on this, something I forgot, or you don't agree with, feel free to.

[@intothefray12]

This is fantastic! When I do part two of this video early in 2024, this will really help. Thank you for taking the time!

[@Astroteolog]

say no more 💯 ⚪🔴 Croats are built for success !!!

[@ziginaigra]

1996 team was best ,talent wise

[@croasian6342]

Besides some mistakes with graphics (wrong year) and butchering last names of players and politicians your video is very well put together. 🙃

[@powderskier5547]

You did a good job, great clip

[@intothefray12]

Thank you!

[@FUNCUT.83]

Love your content bro❤

[@intothefray12]

Thank you so much, love ❤️

[@chiefkeef2465]

Wow great video brother!!

[@intothefray12]

Thank you man!

[@Carlospezz]

Super video 👍

[@intothefray12]

Thanks man!

[@Mybroskiprojectmbappe]

Another great vid sorry im late

[@intothefray12]

Not a problem man, thanks for the kind words!

[@Mybroskiprojectmbappe]

@@intothefray12 no problem, what will you be after part 2?

[@intothefray12]

@@Mybroskiprojectmbappe part 2 will probably not be until new year now. In the meantime, there will be a video on the legacy of the 2022 World Cup, a video on Euro 2024 draw and another one I'm not sure yet!

[@KRILNIK_45]

"I'm looking for more respect for Croatia". 🔥🇭🇷🔥 "Out of 29 games, we lost only two. We won two medals in six months, no one has done that. That's why I was bothered by the treatment of our players at the awards. Croatia must have much more respect from everyone, especially from FIFA and UEFA. I'm not saying this by heart, our results show it. Sometimes I have the impression that we are bothering everyone. We are messing with the top of those who number 200 million, and there are only three of us. What are we going to do to them, we're just bothering them. Our defiance and spite is so strong that we always prove ourselves. That's why it bothered me and that's why I was the only selector who didn't want to vote,'' he added. Dalić believes that Croatian players are too underestimated: "It's the same with transfers. There was a lot of talk about why I can't go to a big club. I'm not in any agency, I don't have an agent, I don't have anyone. I don't have anything and I don't need it. In these agencies, several of the same names are constantly being used. The money is divided there and that's how these transfers end. We are not in it. If one of our players had an English or Spanish passport, it would cost ten times more. But let us show them everything on the field.''

[@festina31]

Well done!

[@intothefray12]

Thank you

[@Milehupen]

Hm, I wonder who will be the player to fix their uncreative playstyle of 2006. I'll be looking forward to the second part

[@intothefray12]

Was I hinting at someone? Hmmm Thanks for watching!

[@sucha0000]

Part 2 please!

[@Marijo-ki2vu]

Nice

[@zdravkomikulinovic3692]

as a croatian, the video is quite good, very analytical, croatians love analytics. Admittedly, you missed a few details, not important for the video you made and for the second part you'll be makeing. (in the second part, please don't miss Euro 2008 and Euro 2016, which we Croats think we should have won). By missed details, I mean deliberate refereeing mistakes that cost us 96, 2012, 2014. Deliberate mistakes, like the 2018 final and the 2022 semi-final. And please don't call the Croatian war for independence a civil war, that is terribly insulting to us, because without the slightest exaggeration, we won a bare-handed victory against the third largest European army. The Hungarians (thanks to them) smuggled a few truckloads of weapons to us while we were under the arms embargo of the whole of Europe and left the world at the mercy of Yugoslavia. And our infantry destroyed the third largest European army. Ruined is the word that does not describes it enaugh. It shattered them. I know you don't want comments whose tone goes the way of what I wrote last, but you are the one who made the video looking for a link between war and football success. So I think that's the link. Keep up the good work.

[@intothefray12]

Thanks for the comment and kind words. The civil war comment was wrong, I don't know exactly where I said it but I don't know how I managed to say that as I've checked the script and it wasn't in there so my apologies there. Thanks for the info in regards to the second part, I will be doing that at the start of 2024. Appreciate you taking the time :)

[@zdravkomikulinovic3692]

no no, you didn't say anything that is considered wrong according to the narrative about that war. Because the war came "because of the rebel Serbs in Croatia" who were against the breakup of Yugoslavia. But they were instrumentalized by politics from Belgrade, and they had at their disposal the entire military arsenal of the army of Yugoslavia. Together with a considerable number of Serbs who came to the Croatian territory to fight. According to the narrative, Croatia was not at war against Yugoslavia, but against the rebel Serbs, but the reality was completely different, and completely without gloves. That is why it offends Croats when that war is called a civil war. With this we can end this discussion. And I won't be offended if you decide to delete this comment. I totally get you. And I agree that you should have more views, I will definitely recommend you. Stay well my friend

[@intothefray12]

@@zdravkomikulinovic3692 I'll leave the comment up as an example of healthy discussion about a contentious subject! Thanks for the kind words too

[@zdravkomikulinovic3692]

Ok than. Take also this... This is just to spare you reaserch. Also... feel free to do with this comment whatever you want. I would just like to add, the situation regarding the war and the "rebel Serbs" is identical to the one with the annexation of Crimea in 2014, when Putin claimed that he had nothing to do with it (also known as people in green) and that it was the rebel Russians, not the Russian army. In 2022, a war without gloves will begin. Croats already recognized this in 2014 as the same thing we experienced from Serbia. Since then, Croatia has been supporting Ukraine in its struggle for independence. Because we watched that movie. It's just that we were left alone without anyone's help and with an arms embargo. It can be mentioned in the second part that Vida and Vukojević (who spent a large part of their careers in Ukraine as football players) celebrated the victory against Russia in Russia with Ukrainian flags, on the field immediately after the end of the match. Putin's face was priceless. And yes. The belief that we can beat anyone in football really came from winning a war in which we were a bigger underdog than in any sports match. And you found that link well. More than 60% of those capable of combat took part in the war. It created a huge brotherhood in our country. You mentioned a very important thing, about the statement of Tuđman (the first president) that athletes must be our greatest ambassadors. That statement stuck with every athlete from the first moment. Slaven Bilić told how he cried because he felt bad for playing football while his school friends were dying, and every day he would hear about someone getting killed. And he felt ashamed that he was not on the front line but playing football. And that president's statement gave wings to all athletes so that they don't feel ashamed that they don't participate directly in the defense of the homeland. Athletes did their part, and the belief that we can defeat anyone came from victory in the war. And no, we will never be satisfied until we win the trophy. Or as Zlatko Dalić would say when praised for second and third place of WC and the final of the League of Nations. "good is never good enough". As for the victories on penalties 2018. and 2022. First b4 that you need to know what happened in the 2008. in Croatia's defeat on penalties against Turkey, which was shocking for us and more painful than, say, the Brazilians felt 2022. We scored for the semi-final in the 120. min. We conceded in the 121.min while still celebrating. And lost on penalties that were missed by Modrić and Rakitić. Believe me, I swear, thousands of people were crying in the streets as if someone close to them had died. We will never forget that pain, and we will remember the name of Semih Senturk until the grave. Modrić and Rakitić, after going through that, knew that they would never miss a fucking penalty again. And it is a very important game for all these five penalty shootouts in a row. In which Modrić shot first and Rakitić shot last. Game against Turkey in quarterfinals Euro 2008 has to be taken into considaration when one is mentioning penalties on World Cups 2018 and 2022. Very important for that story. Its long text i know... :D but i have a lot of free time. Im sitting home free from work bcs i broke my leg... On a sunday football league three weeks ago... :D So it was my pleasure. I hope, u have more infos from the first hand after this comment.

[@apan990]

he can skip 2008 thanks we never played in that tournament anyway and we never played against turkey its all a hoax thank you and goodbye :)

[@perovicvulovic4372]

Nice video. You can made videos about Red Star 1991 and Steaua 1986

[@intothefray12]

Thank you!

[@mike04574]

video on greece 2004 next? or maybe wales 2016

[@andrius11]

How you forget to mention that Croatia played against Netherlands and won that game for 3rd place in the World Cup 1998?

[@lenarteler4453]

Croatia wasn't the wealthiest part of Yugoslavia. That was Slovenia with Croatia coming in second.

[@intothefray12]

Yep, it should have been one of the wealthiest, you're right

[@meditationnew2554]

Are you basing that on population or what measure?

[@lenarteler4453]

@@meditationnew2554 on population

[@iv6872]

Commenting here again for the algorithm!

[@intothefray12]

Legend!

[@sibyabraham5230]

Do one about the polish national team.like their rise in 1970's with their golden generation and their fall later on.

[@intothefray12]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@mikhy9257]

You forgot to mention Macedonia as a former nation of Yugoslavia. They played in the EURO 2020. I don't think Montenegro played in any major tournament.

[@intothefray12]

yep, my bad I didn't include them because I forgot they were present in 2020

[@mashinajoe]

Croatia's 1st game as a fifa member was in 1940.

[@mashinajoe]

The power outage in belgrade was during the game. Not before kick off.

[@Astroteolog]

Croatia Above ALL !!!

[@ytubeu7450]

💪🇭🇷💪🇭🇷💪

[@TheRealPog1]

Is the other video still planned or no?

[@intothefray12]

Yes! Will come at the start of next year!

[@TheRealPog1]

​@@intothefray12alright !

[@damirbekavac7963]

1:26 the picture is not showing a Partizan member! This is a Chetnik very big different!

[@intothefray12]

My apologies on that one!

[@goricaj1]

Partizanis are light version of Chetnik,at least most of them

[@pellevanlig245]

The national team or the Blazers are very much the team of people, the patriotic Croatians´ team. The true pride of the nation. In different areas of the society you can still feel the power of the former regime and indirectly the neighboring country. Yugoslav core is still rooting for the ex country and very much against the independent Croatia and indirectly against this national team which it represents. Today in the year 2023 the country is very much divided in all senses, politically and sportlike. There have been so many incidents and pressure put upon this team in order to devastate them. Things that are still happening outside of the pitch. Drawn swastika on Hajduk´s pitch. Trial against Joe Simunic. Attacks on Manuel Neuer for singing Croatian songs. Turning off the microphone on the celebration in front of 500 000 people at the main square in Zagreb after coming 2nd 2018. Interrupting and stopping the players to sing a certain song at the celebration on the same square 4 yrs later after WC 2022. Attacking the coach for his patriotic statements. Trying to bring to trial Modric and Lovren for the 2nd time (the 1st was a few years ago) after the WC 2022 and before the final 4 tournament in Nation League. Euro 2016 when the yugoslav activitists stopped the game against Czech rep and actually helped the opponents to come back into the game and eventually get a draw as you know. Yugoslav-orientated journalists´ cynical attempts to interview Lovren at the WC in Qatar. Changing a certain song to be played at Euros or WC before or after the games. Etc etc. It ain´t easy to be a Croatian national football player, is it? As if there isn´t enough of resistance on the pitch but also outside of the pitch. Pretty cruel and unfair if you ask me.

[@mashinajoe]

They were in their prime in 94.

[@rutokelavra819]

Longevity??? Overachiever!?!! U kidding dude !?!? Croatia since decades is producing the finest sports talent, from Mirko crop cop, to drazen Petrovic to Luka Modric and and and and and and many more!. We are from the Ball-Can's we will never stop producing the best sport talent in the world.

[@intothefray12]

Just posing the question...

[@rutokelavra819]

​​@@intothefray12 There should be no questions, it is Crystal clear, that man and woman from the Balkans are superior to other nations, by far, I count all of the former Yugoslav republics. The talent that we produced in the last century is unseen! From Monica Seles, to Luka Modric, Novak Djokovic, Nikola Jokic,Zlatann Ibrahimovic and thousands more!! The Balkans have always been at war, or under occupation, struggling to survive,That made us all true warriors, when they don't fight on the battlefield, they fight on some other Fields, in this case, it's a football pitch, a basketball court, or the Octagon. We shit at everything else, but all ball sports belong to us! We just don't get enough appreciation, see the case of Jokic last year, MVP by far, but they gave it to Embiid, Djokovic is constantly being maltreated while winning over 20 Grand Slams. It's enyu , jealousy, and sometimes it's sheer hatred, see the case of Monica Seles! She was so good in Tennis, that a crazy German guy STABBED her on court, so his favourite player Steffi Graf can be number one.

[@intothefray12]

You're very passionate man @@rutokelavra819

[@SteveRadich1928]

@@intothefray12 We all are!

[@flutefluteus8288]

Pretty good video and research. We're here for the football, however, it is important to emphasize that the war started as an act of the Serbian aggression, and they made us their slaughterhouse for years. It took us 20 years to recover, and it is still ongoing in many aspects. They tried hard to cover that up via their diplomats and fake reports way back in the early 90s, but it bounced off their heads in the end, and it continues to do so. I know for a fact that for instance English public, among others, was fed with horrible lies, and it is not unusual that many people have a wrong perception. As a war kid who ran under grenades, I just want the truth to be told at all times. Looking forward to the part 2 mate!

[@intothefray12]

Thanks for the extra insight. As a visitor of both Slovenia and Croatia I've always felt great pain of the losses encountered in the independence movements both before, during and even some who continue to be persecuted today. I hope I can do justice to the history of the Croatian NT in the part 2. Thank you!

[@rudolfhorvat57]

Croatian footbal federation has long history back to 1912 and was approved by FIFA in 1941, but due to historical circumstances it stoped by Serbo-Yugoslavian occupation in 1945 then started again in 1992. during the war for independance. We had great generations of players but unfortunately they have to play for Yugoslavia not Croatia. Todays result explain why.

[@MarcMarquez-bh6ej]

Im croatian

[@nenadmordzin6510]

Nice video but one fact what i think is deserve to be mentioned first ever game of this Croatia as a state win over US 2:1 payed on October 17. 1990. Game with Portugal in 1996 was played with reserves because Ćiro want to play with Germans and that bite him in the head.

[@intothefray12]

This is true, I chose to omit that fact as I was leaning into the beginning of being able to qualify for tournaments. Thanks for watching!

[@nenadmordzin6510]

@@intothefray12 Your welcome great video but since you explain deterioration on ex Yugoslav state that was a big thing to be mentioned in that context because that match was i would say was little miracle to be played never the less to explained it would be going outside your perimeter and to much politics. Anyway thank you for your effort.

[@intothefray12]

@@nenadmordzin6510 appreciate your thoughts, thank you for taking the time

[@corto1950]

Soon u will make more videos

[@TB-pu9qm]

-Euro 1996 ref stole us against germany i 1/4... -wc98 bronze, - euro 08 turks scored in 120 and we lost on penalties in 1/4, -euro 12 ref stole us a clear penalty in group against winner spain in 90th minute in last game -wc 14 ref gave brazil litteraly 2 goals in first game, -euro 16 unlucky gola against portugal 120 min that even you mentioned, -wc 18 final first france goal was after griezman dived and second was doubtful penalty, 'wc22 semi vs argentina first goal was no penalty. Livakovic stood with both legs on the ground and argentinian just intenzionali fell on when ball was clear in croatian legs. PS. In 20 years we have more wc medals then england in whole history. We also played league of nations final.

[@intothefray12]

Superb insight! How you feeling going into Euro 2024?

[@TB-pu9qm]

@@intothefray12 We are good. But 1 step behind top teams. That is half step worse then in qattar but only for 1 reason. Modric now is too old in my opinion. He is good for his age but his prime ended in 2018. In qattar he was better then i expeted but euro is year later. We are in strenght group with netherlands and belgium and a bit stronger then danmark...depends on a form and injuries. Teams like france are stronger but we are not afraid of them. We are small nation but top teams always have 1 big problem with us....they can play only with 11 players 🤣 and our first 11 is rock solid most of the time. Most people dont realise how hard is to have team as good as ours with this population size. We are world miracle. Except Uruguay noone in the world can do anything simmilar. And their gold were won in preWW2 almost primitive football. Not only now but we have good team from independence. And that first team euro 96 and wc 98 was a bit old at that time and still made to 1/4 and bronze. If we were alowed to play earlier from 1990 maybe we would do something more. Some of them won gold on youth wc in chile with former Yugoslavia.

[@intothefray12]

@@TB-pu9qm the comparison to Uruguay is a great one. The top teams always struggle against both of you. It'll be interesting to see who you draw in the group stage next week!

[@TB-pu9qm]

@@intothefray12 There is popular opinion in Croatia that we play better against top teams than against average and less good teams. Maybe it is true but history clearly show that good draw is crucial for tournament succes.

[@intothefray12]

@@TB-pu9qm absolutely, best of luck!

[@E123noman]

you put a picture of Draža Mihajlović as a partizan which is a mistake because he was the leader of chetnik movement, they didnt free the country Titos partizans freed yugoslavia, I KNOW ITS NOT IMPORTANT IM JUST A HISTORY NERD AND IM FROM BALKAN

[@intothefray12]

No problem at all! Someone else alerted me in the comments so my apologies for the mistake.

[@robertbauer3419]

Minut 0':34" - Former Nations of Yugoslavia Major Tournament Appearences Since Croatian Independence - it sayd Serbia has 6 and Montenegro only 1???? How does that work exactly? Serbian & Montenegro were in a union as a country from 1992-2006 which first called itself Federal republic of Yugoslavia 1992-2003 and then Serbia-Montenegro from 2003-2006 when finally Montenegro declared it's independence and both Serbia and Montenegro became two independent countries in 2006. During that period their joint country participated in WC 1998, Euro 2000 and WC2006. As an independent country Serbia only participated in WC2010 and WC2018, while Montenegro didn't quailfy for any major tournament yet. So an accurate tally should be Serbia 2 and Montenegro 0, or Serbia and Montengro 3 if given the credit to each country for their joint past success. You can;t just give credit to Serbia for the achievements their joint team together with Montenegro achieved. Plus, I am not sure how do they get 6 for Serbia, are they counting also the qualification for the most recent Euro 2024? It must be. In either case, the tally is inaccurate and once again it shows the Serbs trying to once more steal the past success of countries they used to belong to as their own. Maybe in the next video about "Former Nations of Yugoslavia the Most Ski-Jumping Titles" episode Serbia can also claim all the medals won by Yugoslavia in the Winter Olympics and World Ski-jump Tournaments between 1945-1990.

[@intothefray12]

Thanks for your opinion Robert. It's structured this way as Serbia was granted the place of Serbia and Montenegro within FIFA and UEFA after dissolution. Serbia qualified for 3 tournaments as Serbia and Montenegro/FR Yugoslavia (WC 98, Euro 2000 and WC 06) and 3 as Serbia (2010, 18 and 22) which equals 6. I understand this may not be to your satisfaction but is the case.

[@robertbauer3419]

@@intothefray12 Hey there:) Thank you very much for your response, that is the most kind of you. I wasn't aware of what you just stated that today's Republic of Serbia was officially granted by FIFA/UEFA all the credit for the soccer achievements by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia/Serbia-Montenegro (or whatever you wanna call their union between 1992-2006). I've never head that before. If that's the case, I completely understand where you are coming from and I apologize for my mild rant. I might not agree with that decision, but that's irrelevant. You just went "by the book" then in that case. And you also did a great job overall in the whole video. Thanks again for your reply and please keep up the great work!

[@intothefray12]

@@robertbauer3419 no problem at all. Appreciate you being open and accepting. I respect your opinion and thank you for watching my video!

[@mashinajoe]

Yugoslavia was really serboslavia

[@ArtVandelayish]

17:00 You're mixing Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRJ), which ceased to exist sometime in 1991, splitting in five successor states, and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SRJ) which was one of those five states. In reality, SRJ was just Serbia & Montenegro under a different name.

[@intothefray12]

Thanks for the knowledge

[@pellevanlig245]

I am impressed by your resaerch but don´t forget what sources you use or if you stick to only one. Be careful ! You know that the winners always write the history and some regimes have certainly abused that trust on behalf of some bullying nations. I think you can see that in the east. I don´t have to say so much more about a totalitarian communist regime that gained 2 nations more than the others. The hidden truths but also manipulated and falsified facts talk by themselves. You are totally right about recalling history while analysing sports. So connected, sad to add. This small nation, with 800 yrs long history of serving other occupying nations, has struggled for so long to make it on its own and stand on its own feet. Diversity of their history is full of betrayal and bravery. You need to go way back. This is the base of the country´s patriotism and why it is so much alive in different sections of their society. That is the first thing you notice about the Croatians. An interesting fact for you might be that the oldest pub in London was founded by a Dubrovniker. Cheers and all the best / a fellow colleague;)

[@intothefray12]

Thanks for your insight! Some fascinating stories you have told. Appreciate you taking the time

[@pellevanlig245]

Wondering why are the Croatians managing to pull all this together you need to check their sport history too and before the WW2 . Check when their football clubs were founded. Compare how much they have achieved back then in comparison with the neighbours. The 30s and playing against fascist Ita in front of Il Duce. Maybe they had to lose back then coz they haven´t lost to Ita ever since. Check the club HASK GRADJANSKI´s players (nowadays Dinamo, communist name) who had to move to Belgrade at the end of WW2 to found a whole new team there (partizan). Check the final game in 1967 (UEFA - cup) between Dinamo Zg - Leeds Utd. After winning the final the coach of Dinamo Zebec (In Bayern 1968-1970) moved then to today´s Bayern Munich to continue the Croatian coaching legacy after Cajkovski (1963-1968). Before these two coaches the team nr 1 in Munich was Munich 1860. Ever since and onwards it has only been about Bayern Munchen. You know very well what players they coached back then. That Bayern players were the main reason why Germany won WC 1974 and Euro in 1972. Croatian coaches have been working in many countries all over the world and played a significant role in the countries´ football development but also in minor divisions down at the roots. Ex. Neuer´s previous goalie coach for many years. Ivic a legendary coach from Split and his impact and the won trophies with Portugal´s top clubs. Check the Hajduk Split´s legendary team from the 70s etc etc.

[@dannydanny1034]

You missing many crucial informations ! ! - Due injury Croatia lost one of the best strikers for World Cup 1998, Alen Bokšić (player of S.S Lazio) , His crucial goal against Ukraine in play-off took Croatia to World Cup. Extreme hendicap for Croatia without Alen Bokšić on World Cup 1998. - WC 1998 Semi-final against France , Croatian player Robert Prosinečki smoke cigarette 1 hour prior the match. He was caught by the coach and sent to the bench. Even today many Croatian fans and media speculates that they would have beaten France if Prosinečki had played from the first minute or got greater time. (he played only 5 min) - Also match Yugoslavia vs Croatia in Belgrade, when Croatia took dominance Serbians turn off reflectors in the stadium and the match was halted for an hour. Many Croatian players got scared for life in a suddenly dark field of stadium. Historical and controversial situation at the match. -Regards from Croatian

[@josephstalin331]

Greece has won the Euro2004. The only balkan country with a national trophy.🇬🇷💪 Croatia trophyless 🤡

[@intothefray12]

I thought Stalin was from Georgia

[@ihghjgh]

If we ignore that "incident" from Euro 2004, Croatia is far more successful and gave much more quality players. I hope Croatia will one day have luck to the end of the tournament, because the deserve it more than Greeks and they are more talented for football.

[@O46783]

Most greeks are mix of albanian and their masters turks😂😂 who raped them for 800 years

[@davormestrovic5317]

jos jedan jugoslaven :(

[@unwokeneuropean3590]

Pro-si-ne-ch-ki.

[@marcmartinovic5366]

I wish you could prounance names the way should sound.

[@intothefray12]

Funnily enough mate I'm not Croatian lmao

[@apan990]

@@intothefray12 dont mind him, just some friendly advice: 'c' in croatian is pronounced 'ts' not 'k'. like with ivica olic i heard once where you said ivika instead of ivitsa. otherwise you did fine and got many of the names right, great vid mate!

[@intothefray12]

@@apan990 Thank you, I do practice beforehand but it can be difficult to remember.