Just before kickoff, in Croatia's locker room.
Srna tightened his captain's armband, turned around, and shouted:
"Everyone, huddle up!"
The team ford a circle.
Even the more playful guys stayed serious — this was the eve of a critical international tournant.
"For most of us, this is our first international competition, our first ti representing our national team on a big stage!"
"I want everyone to give it everything — play with passion, intensity, and get this win."
"We failed last ti, fell in the Euro group stage. But we've made changes and adjustnts. This ti…"
Srna took a deep breath and declared, "We will win!"
"Victory!!" Everyone roared in unison.
Srna looked at Šuker.
Now, besides Srna, Šuker was the most qualified to speak.
"I feel the sa as Srna — winning this match is everything. Compared to club play, the Euros are far more brutal. Every result can seriously impact our future, especially the first ga."
"Over 20,000 Croatian fans have co to see us today — we must honor their support!"
"Guys! We're not just going to win. We're going to win beautifully!"
Šuker extended his hand.
The others all stacked theirs on top.
Then Šuker roared:
"Get ready to fight!"
ROAAAAAR!!!The team shouted in unison, their morale peaking.
Srna turned and walked out of the locker room, yelling, "Let's crush them!"
Player tunnel.
Both teams arrived.
The cara zood in on the players — especially Šuker.
This scene was broadcast to the entire world.
Croatian comntator: "It's their Euro debut — I believe these young n will deliver!"
Polish comntator: "Facing a strong Croatian side, Poland must defend well!"
British comntator: "Šuker is the key. Whether Poland can contain him is the biggest factor."
Italian comntator: "Can Poland handle the pressure of facing Serie A's most lethal striker?"
Comntators around the globe began warming up their prega talk.
Players marched onto the field.
ROOOOOAAAAAR!!! Thunderous cheers erupted from every corner of St. Jakob-Park.
Both sets of fans gave everything to fire up their teams.
Starting Lineups:
Croatia (4-4-2):
GK: Pletikosa
DEF: Šimić, Šimunić, Kovač, Srna
MID: Dujmović, Vukojević, Modrić, Rakitić
FW: Mandžukić, Šuker
Poland (4-2-3-1):
GK: Boruc
DEF: Wasilewski, Żurawski, Dudka, Wawrzyniak
MID: Korzynowicz, Murawski, Guerreiro, Mariusz Lewandowski, Krzynówek
FW: Saganowski
The comntators were all surprised by Poland's setup.
"Poland didn't sit back against Croatia's dangerous midfield and attack — instead, they're going to battle for the tempo!"
With Korzynowicz, Guerreiro, and Saganowski all starting, it was clear Poland had no defensive intentions — they wanted a fight.
That fired the comntators up.
Day one of the tournant had been painfully dull.
Both Czech Republic and Portugal played too cautiously.
But from the current formations, it looked like this match was going to be different — both teams ca to score.
On Croatia's bench, coach Van Stoyak raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't expected Poland to go toe-to-toe.
Well then — let's go toe-to-toe!
Croatia wasn't going to back down.
Kickoff imminent.Coin toss done. Teams took their sides.
Poland would kick off.
Croatian players took their positions.
On cara, Šuker was bouncing on his toes, keeping warm.
After a few jumps to raise his excitent level, he shouted:
"Want to go hard right from kickoff?"
"HELL YEAH!" Mandžukić shouted.
"Gotta go hard!"
"We're adrenaline warriors!"
"Let's wreck 'em!"
Šuker smiled in satisfaction.
He could be patient for tactical reasons — but he hated passive play.
He liked aggression.
He wanted to attack!And that's how Croatia played!
The cara panned to Poland's kickoff.
The referee blew his whistle.
And around the world, comntators launched into their openers.
At the sa ti — Croatia charged.
"Match is underway! After Poland kicks off, Croatia imdiately presses their defense! They're not waiting for mistakes, they're forcing them with intense high pressing!"
Croatian comntator Kraushvić was ecstatic.
This was why he loved this Croatian team.
No nonsense. Fully in control. Ultra-aggressive.
"Go! Go!" Šuker sprinted toward the Polish defender with the ball, waving Mandžukić to join.
Mandžukić cut off the lateral passing option.
Midfield pressure ca from Dujmović, shutting down the receiver.
The full-backs were also pressed and blocked.
"Play it long!" Poland's goalkeeper barked orders.
Defender Dudka rushed to clear the ball.
But just then — Šuker lunged, right leg up.
THUMP!
The ball slamd into his foot and popped high behind him.
"My ball! Mine!" Dujmović was at the drop point and called it.
As the ball ca down, he softly cushioned it.
"They got it back! Croatia's press is suffocating — one press and they've already regained possession! Dujmović — what's he going to do?"
Before Kraushvić finished the sentence —Dujmović took a touch forward, then wound up and launched a missile!
BOOM!!!
A long-range shot scread toward the Polish goal.
The angle wasn't great, but the ball was low and fast — pure power.
The Polish goalkeeper was stunned by the sudden shot.
He crouched, hands down — ready to scoop.
But it was too powerful — the ball smashed into his chest and bounced loose!
"He spilled it!!" Kraushvić shouted.
A chance?
Just then — Šuker had already darted past the defenders and reached the ball first!
"ŠUKER!!!!!!!!!!"
Kraushvić's voice cracked with excitent.
All the Croatian fans in the stadium stood up.
Many hadn't even sat down yet. Everyone turned toward the pitch.
Was it going in!?
Šuker gently flicked the ball — it floated over the diving keeper…
And dropped into the net.
He lightly jumped to avoid stepping on the keeper, then turned and sprinted toward the stands.
The Swiss comntator scread:
"GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"From Croatia's No. 9, Šuker! Just 19 seconds into the match — a lightning strike!"
"Poland hadn't even settled in before falling behind. A disaster for them, but a dream start for Croatia!"
"Šuker with the rebound goal — 1:0 Croatia!"
"A lightning opener from Croatia!"
"This is who they are — fast, aggressive, relentless! Any team that underestimates them is going to pay the price!"
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