Every nation has its battle cry. But where there were 32 national chants ringing out across Russia, now just two remain.
Tens of thousands of Croatian fans are already in the capital after their team’s semi-final win in Moscow just days ago. Walk around Red Square and you’ll hear pockets of fans singing odes to their heroes from Hrvatska – the Croatian word for their country.
The small Balkan nation of four million is looking to make history against France, with a population of 66 million.
“That’s the message that we send to the world. We are a small country but we have a big heart,” said one fan wearing the characteristic red and white chequered Croatian jersey.
We are a small country but we have a big heart. A Croatian fan in Moscow
“I’ve travelled from Zagreb with my father for the final, because it might never happen again.”
Another fan, who has been in Russia for the entire month-long tournament, said his wife and five-year-old son had just joined him from Croatia. All three have true faith their nation can prevail in the final.
“I don’t know how confident [the French] are but let’s just say the English were very confident too, as were the Argentinians,” he said, referring to two of Croatia’s opponents earlier in the tournament.
Their final match against France is laced with many subplots. In one sense, it’s a chance at revenge for Croatia, which bowed out of the 1998 World Cup semi-finals at the hands of the French, captained then by France’s now-coach Didier Deschamps. Croatia briefly led that match 1-0 before being overrun by the eventual world champions.
Croatia supporters celebrate their win over England in Moscow. Source: AAP
“This is a historical game for Croatia,” said one fan after he took a break from singing the Croatian national anthem with his companions.
“After 20 years we are in the final with France. We hope that Croatia will turn back that game 20 years ago and play with pride.”
The French meanwhile have been slow to arrive in Moscow, but they’re no less confident of victory. A group clad in their tricolor flag belt out ‘Allez les Bleus’ in front of the iconic St Basil’s cathedral.
They too are not lacking in additional motivation to claim their second world championship. Their country’s loss in the European Championship final two years ago to Portugal on home soil is still so fresh for their fans.
A France fan poses at the Red Square in Moscow. Source: Getty
“We don’t want to lose two finals in a row, it would just hurt us too much,” said one French supporter who arrived in Moscow just hours earlier. “Yes, I was at this match in Paris and it was very sad but I think we’ve learned for two years now and we are stronger now.”
Both teams boast superstars, France with such names as Mbappe, Pogba and Griezmann. Croatia with Modric, Rakatic, Mandzukic.
“Football has changed where the big nations, the powerful nations, don’t just go out there and kill the weaker nations,” says former Socceroo and SBS football analyst David Zdrilic.
“You’re seeing that, not only with Croatia. Iceland is another example. The world is a lot smaller in footballing terms. A team with good compact structure, good mentality, can achieve a lot.”
Zdrilic, himself of Croatian heritage, said it’s difficult to describe just how much Croatia’s final debut means to the country.
“It’s almost surreal, you can’t believe that a small nation, just over four million people, has made it this far. They only gained independence almost 30 years ago, so it’s unbelievable that they can achieve so much.
“The way it’s been received, not only in Croatia, but all the communities around the world that have Croatian people there, Australia is obviously one of those countries that has a big Croatian population, it’s just incredible and people can’t process it.
“So there’s a lot of excitement and I think that’s going to push the Croatian team as well.”
SBS will broadcast the World Cup final live on Sunday night from 11pm AEST (kick off 1am Monday).
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