16th October 2002
On this day, in 2002, a "gaffe" from England’s David Seaman brought more criticism for the Arsenal ‘keeper when he allowed Macedonia’s Artim Šakiri to score direct from a corner kick. The 2-2 draw with Macedonia in a Euro qualifier at St Mary’s in Southampton proved to be David Seaman’s 75th and final appearance for his country. Meanwhile, in Croatia (because that's where I am!)The national team of Croatia has competed in the FIFA World Cup six times, finishing on podium on three occasions. Since gaining independence, Croatia has appeared in and qualified for the 1998, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions of the tournament. Croatia's best result since gaining admission into FIFA in 1992 was securing second place against France in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where they lost 4–2. The national side has collected three World Cup medals, two bronze (1998, 2022) and one silver (2018). Due to its small geography and populace, Croatia is often one of the smallest countries competing in the tournament. They are second-smallest country by population (after Uruguay) and land mass (after the Netherlands) to reach a World Cup Final.
Nicknames:
| Vatreni (Blazers) Kockasti (Checkered Ones) |
| Group B | GP | W | D | L | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Head coach | Zlatko Dalić |
|---|---|
| Captain | Luka Modrić |
| Most Caps | Luka Modrić (192) |
| Top scorer | Davor Suker (45) |
The team has developed an extensive fan base since the 1990s. Following their debut run at the 1998 World Cup, there was a rise in domestic and global attention for the side. Political scientist, Alex Bellamy, observed in 2003 that the national team became a symbol of statehood in Croatia after their independence through the cultural "export" of football. The government's influence on team affairs eased substantially after the death of President Franjo Tudman in 1999. All matches are followed and televised throughout the country, particularly during major tournaments. In November 2022, the Ministry of Science and Education issued guidance to let school children watch matches during the school day, as long coursework is made up later!! Following the 2018 World Cupo, the Croatian Cabinet attended ministerial meetings in team jerseys, and during the 2022 World Cup, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic delivered a hurried speech "[lasting] only 37 seconds" at the Euro-Mediterrenan Summit meeting to catch the quarter-finals, due on that afternoon.
As of 2012, the foundation made fifty donations of 1,200,000 HRK to various children's organizations. In December 2012, the foundation made 500,000 HRK on an auction of Niko Kranjcar's shirt and Lionel Messi's shirt that was signed by all FC Barcelona players. The auction was organised in the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel and attended by President of Croatia Ivo Josipović. In November 2018, the players gathered in The Westin Hotel in Zagreb to answer fans' phonecalls, the proceeds of which were donated to the Vatreno Srce Foundation. In 2018, the foundation financed Children's Hospital Zagreb and Korak u Život (A Step Into Life), a charity that helps young children raised in orphanages transition into higher education. In November 2019, more than 500,000 HRK was collected in another call event that were then directed to Children's Hospital Kantrida. In March 2020, the players collectively donated 4.2 million HRK to combat the COVID_19 pandemic and for repair of damage caused by the 2020 Zagreb earthquake. Members of national team visit and help children with special needs and their education institutions. You see, not all football is "bad"!!
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