As a Croat who has lived his whole adult life in London, I was filled with dread when the draw for Euro 2008 pitted my country of birth with the country I have called home for over 20 years.

Why was dread the overriding emotion I felt? The group looked difficult: Russia, Israel, Macedonia, and then we come to England. Unfortunately, I know how the average Englishman on the street thinks when it comes to Croatia and Eastern Europe in general -the view is usually less than flattering. Regrettably the English usually fail to admit they are unfamiliar with a certain topic or, in this case, a country.

So instead of acknowledging that they know little about the great historical buildings, the many national parks, the varied and tasty cuisine or the beautiful coastlines of Croatia they instead opine, “Croatia, isn’t there a war going on over there?” Therefore when England and Croatia were grouped together I knew I would undoubtedly have the misfortune of having to read the nonsense and inaccuracies that the papers would certainly be full of.

Despite my initial trepidation I knew that Croatia had, for the first time since France 98, a good team with a realistic chance of qualifying and with decent, attacking football. Back then England’s appointment of the charisma-less McClaren only increased my hopes for the forthcoming campaign.

The English media didn’t disappoint me; as soon as the draw was made, England’s opponents were belittled. The group was called easy, with England expected to waltz their way to the finals...

As England’s campaign started to stutter, the influx of foreigners into English football was given as the reason for England’s failings. Anyway despite it being the foreigners' fault, we needn’t have worried. After all, said the 'well informed' English media, England could easily rectify the poor result against Macedonia with a victory in Zagreb. A quick look at Croatia’s footballing history shows that England’s confidence was dubious...

As the 2008 campaign came towards the final stretch, England continued to falter and stumble towards qualification. However, a simple draw at home against already qualified Croatia would suffice to take England through.

On match day, as I walked towards Wembley you might think the outcome was a 'win: win' for me. Contrarily, as much as it pains me to say it - I couldn’t think of anything sweeter than a Croatian victory.

When England came to Croatia, they didn’t have to go through passport control or customs - they got off their plane and were whisked away to their 5 star hotel. When Croatia came to England, the Croatian FA vice president was arrested for allegedly stealing stationary from WH Smith with the players waiting at immigration at the time. Several national newspapers also managed to print the wrong emblem for the Croatian national team.

I believe that we (I include myself as a fan of English football) have allowed England’s national sport to become embroiled in making 'icons' out of players who come up short against numerous other nations in the world. These players have acquired an overconfidence and self-importance that belies their talent. When England do win games it's mainly due to strength and fitness. In terms of the ability to use both feet, movement and vision they are woefully behind the likes of Italy, France and, as was proven in qualifying, even tiny old Croatia.

As Croatia triumphed at Wembley I was ecstatic yet I also hoped England’s players would learn a bit about humility and might eventually rid themselves of their prima donna tag. A few days after the Wembley fiasco, England and Croatia were drawn in the same qualification group for the 2010 World Cup. Michael Owen was quick to give his views on the draw: “I don’t think any of the Croatian team would get into our team […] it’s not about ability or technique but in the mind”

With that in mind I look forward to the next qualifying campaign with relish and I’ll be singing my heart out for the boys in red and white checkered tops.

 

Words by Jan Zalar