The World Cup: Croatia

ThisDrinkingLife and The World Cup: Croatia

Croatia always had decent teams with top quality players. Davor Šuker, Robert Prosinečki and Zvonimir Boban to name a few of the stars from the 98 team that came third in the World. Even today you know you wont get an easy game from playing them. They play beautiful football that is easy on the eye, and all in a good fun free spirit that is endearing.

These days Real Madrid star, Luka Modrić is the player every one looks out for, but if you scan through their squad you can see they have many players who ply their trade in the top leagues of Europe. Their midfield is particularly strong, with Modrić as mentioned, but also Ivan Rakitić of Barca, and Marcelo Brozović from Inter and with Mario Mandžukić still banging the goals in for club and country, they can beat anybody on their day.

In a tough group, it is perhaps good luck that they play Nigeria first. Nigeria can be slow to come out of the blocks, not scoring in their last three World Cup starts. Hit Nigeria at the start, can leave Croatia looking for three points against Iceland to qualify, something they are well capable of achieving. I think they might not get top of the group, so it is looking that they probably will play France in the second round. A game I also wouldn’t fancy them coming through. But if they do manage to beat Argentina and come top, their route is a little easier, they might get Denmark in the last 16, which is manageable which would set up a mouth watering tie with Germany in the last eight. That’s a game I’d love to see. Two efficient and complete teams head to head, one mistake and you are out. Croatia have a chance to go far in this World Cup, but they need to top the group. Touch and go at the moment, I cant call it for now!