Vienna, the capital of Austria.
Once again, the team returned here to compete. The passionate atmosphere of the European Championship had grown even more intense.
Especially after entering the knockout stage, the matches beca more thrilling, with fierce contests and enthusiastic fans—all elents that define the European Championship experience.
Croatian fans marched constantly through the streets and alleys.
The performance of the Croatian players in this tournant had lifted their spirits imnsely.
The last ti they reached the Euro quarterfinals was back in 1996.
Twelve years ago, Davor Šuker and others led the checkerboard team through a remarkable sumr in the Euros.
Though they were eliminated in the first knockout round, it was still a montous achievent for them.
After that, Croatia's performances in the next two Euros were disappointing, coinciding with the retirents of Šuker and others, and Croatian fans endured a long wait.
They hoped for a new generation of talented youngsters to erge from their holand.
But fortune smiled upon them.
At Euro 2008, Croatia appeared with a new face on the international stage, delivering excellent performances.
This was a huge encouragent for Croatian fans.
Their roster no longer consisted rely of players from the big five leagues.
Instead, it included stars from the top clubs of those leagues—
players like Modrić, Vukojević, Šimunić, and Šimić.
They had even nurtured a Ballon d'Or winner and World Footballer of the Year.
The sa number 9!
The sa Šuker!
This ti, the new Šuker and his teammates were about to create new glory together.
And it all began here.
Vienna, Hungary (note: Vienna is in Austria, but this text says Hungary—likely a narrative error), Euro 2008 quarterfinal, Croatia vs. Italy.
In the Croatian team hotel, just before the match, head coach Bilic and assistant coach Van der Vaart were having a heated discussion.
"No! We cannot play defensively! Italy has more experience than us; they know how to manage ti during the ga. We are young and can run more than them. We must press forward and beat them decisively, not get stuck in a tug-of-war!" Bilic argued.
Van Stoyac loudly opposed.
Bilic continued firmly, "But this is the Euro knockout stage—every team plays cautiously. I'm not saying we should be purely defensive, but we should be careful and probe first."
"Italy's style is like this. They've played countless matches like this. If we start like that, the rhythm will be in their hands. Do you think we have more experience than Italy?"
"But all teams do this!"
"That's them. Why must we copy their style? We are different. We should play our own ga."
"Our style isn't stable enough yet, so borrowing so experience is necessary."
"Bullshit! You're just a coward. You're afraid Italy's counterattacks will tear us apart!"
"Nonsense! If I were a coward, I wouldn't have co to you!"
As the match approached, the argunt escalated, their voices even penetrating the corridors and reaching the players' ears.
Inside Šuker's room, the team gathered silently, listening to the coaches' quarrel.
After a while, the shouting quieted, as if they had reached so agreent.
"Who do you think is right?" Srna asked.
Dujmovic replied, "I prefer Van Stoyac's attacking style. Offense is our character."
"But Bilic is right too. It's the Euro knockout—being cautious isn't wrong."
"Italy will definitely play defensive counterattack. Their tight defense is hard to break."
Then they all looked at Šuker.
Šuker was lying on the bed, propping his head with one hand, staring blankly.
He was checking his reward cards from the three group matches.
No doubt, it had to be the Euros!
The rewards were abundant.
From the group stage onward, each match guaranteed an attribute card.
After three matches, Šuker had collected four attribute cards.
These were the kind of rewards usually only available in the Champions League knockout rounds or quarterfinals!
Šuker even thought that by the Euro semifinals, he could earn a diamond card.
"Šuker? Šuker!" a teammate called, waking him.
"What's up?"
Mandžukić asked, "What are you doing?"
Šuker replied, "Just zoning out."
Mandžukić sighed, "It's no ti to zone out. The match starts in a few hours."
"Yeah! And our opponent is Italy, who defend well," Mandžukić added.
Šuker waved him off, "Don't worry. As long as our defense holds steady, scoring is my job."
Šuker, having played in Serie A, knew the Italian style well.
Who in Serie A could stop Šuker? If not clubs, then certainly not the national team.
Moreover, Italy's current situation was quite poor.
The match would be challenging, but Šuker was confident of victory.
He even believed that compared to aggressive teams like Turkey and Russia, Italy was no longer even a "wounded cal."
At 2 PM, the Croatian team boarded their bus to the stadium.
Due to the disagreent between Van Stoyac and Bilic, the tactics were only finalized that morning.
Van Stoyac stood in the bus aisle, his face sour as if he had eaten sothing foul.
"We'll play a 4-4-2 formation."
In essence, this formation emphasized stable defense, indicating Bilic held more influence.
Van Stoyac conceded but insisted on an attacking approach on both wings.
This wing attack wasn't just the two wingers but also fullbacks Srna and Pranjić frequently overlapping.
Van Stoyac's concession forced Bilic to compromise too.
This was not pure defense, and Van Stoyac wouldn't have chosen such a tactic otherwise.
As the Croatian players listened to the tactical briefing and traveled to the stadium, a roar erupted.
A wave of heat surged like wildfire.
When Šuker and his teammates arrived at the stadium, Croatian fans on both sides erupted into loud cheers.
Nearby, Croatian broadcast vehicles covered the live event, and dia reporters lined the aisles, snapping photos.
Compared to the group stage, the fans' passion had intensified.
anwhile, on the field, veterans like Davor Šuker and Boban appeared at the Happel Stadium, both dressed smartly in suits.
Davor Šuker's face blossod into a smile like a blooming chrysanthemum.
Seeing these promising youngsters advancing through the Euros and matching their best historical achievent brought him great satisfaction.
"Do you think they can beat Italy and go further in the Euros, making history?" Davor asked quietly.
Boban smiled knowingly, aware of what Davor wanted to hear—and felt the sa.
"Based on their group stage performance, it's not impossible!" Boban replied.
"Hey, Davor! Look here!"
"Sign an autograph for !"
"You think we can advance?"
Davor Šuker didn't enter the VIP lounge but went to the stands, warmly greeted by Croatian fans on both sides.
In great spirits, davpr happily obliged.
Suddenly, fans shouted:
"They're warming up! Šuker!!!!!!!——"
Players from both sides began to walk out of the tunnel.
When Šuker appeared on the pitch, Croatian and local fans exploded in cheers.
Though so Italian fans included AC Milan supporters who admired Šuker, in this match, they were opponents.
Cheers were mixed with boos.
Italian fans loudly booed Šuker.
Only a few refrained from booing, mostly AC Milan fans.
Despite being opponents, not booing Šuker was their sign of respect for the San Siro favorite.
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