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| Croatia cannot help believing - UEFA Euro 2012 |
The day before one of the biggest matches of their careers, the Croatian players and their coach, Slaven Bilić, looked very calm and relaxed, but at the same time you could sense their desire to do something extraordinary in Gdansk, as they bid to get a positive result against Spain to book a place in the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2012.
"In the last seven years, we have constantly been among the top ten teams," said coach Slaven Bilić. "The whole world respects us. But that has not only been in the last few years – we were first singled out as a good team on the world scene back in 1994.
"I remember our match against Spain that year – it was a friendly in Valencia and we won it 2-0," he added. "Since then, we have been causing upsets against the biggest teams. And this new generation, led brilliantly by Darijo Srna, has something special on the pitch and off it. Their energy is fantastic and they are ready for something big."
The coach leaves for a new job leading FC Lokomotiv Moskva after the finals, and has billed Monday night's fixture as "the match of a generation", doubly resolved perhaps that it will not be his last in charge of Croatia.
Bilić has called his side "a team of lions" who are ready to make a real impact against Spain, and that positive spirit permeates the camp. The players are enjoying the challenge, relishing the spotlight, and are determined to do Croatia proud.
They have already accomplished the first stages of their mission by beating the Republic of Ireland and salvaging a draw against Italy. Whatever happens next, they will deserve credit. However, they are hoping – believing, even – that the best is yet to come in Gdansk.
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