Hey,let me ask you a question.How much do you know about the country Croatia（克罗地亚）, except the song Croatian Rhapsody（克罗地亚狂想曲）? For me ,I never try to search Croatia on line,until it won the runner-up prize at World Cup 2018.
Look at the European map,that is Croatia,small as the red circle,with barely 4 million people,much less than the population of Guangzhou city. The suffering country even didn’t exist before 1991. In 1918,Croatia unwillingly united with Serbia（塞尔维亚） to form Yugoslavia(南斯拉夫). However Yugoslavia broke down in 1980s and descended into civil war. From 1991-1995, 20000 Croatian people had died and hundreds of thousands of people had become refugees.
Many of refugees were children. One of them, spent seven years of his childhood living in a hotel. Because his family house was burn down.In that time, this boy would play football in the hotel car park alone. Finally, he grew into the leader of Croatian football team, Luka Modrić .
Another boy, Ivan Rakitić, lucky to born in Switzerland after his family‘s escape . Grown into young football star, Rakitić chose to get back into his homeland team. Swiss football hooligans were crazy with anger，and even sent him death threats. But Rakitić never fear and change his mind.
Most Croatian football players grew in the war fire and face the problem of self-identity, but now they get together and fight for the victory.
Why Croatia, such a small new country, is so talented in football? We have no idea. Perhaps football express Croatian hope of peace and happy life-Even the entire cabinet make meetings with plaid shirt to show their support. 1998, they qualified for the World Cup at the first attempt, and won Germany in the quarter-final.20 years later, this summer , Croatia met French in final，after winning over other traditional strong teams like Argentina, Iceland and England. Just one step Croatia could became the World Cup Champion. Would the dark horse create miracle again?
July 15,at the Luzhniki Stadium of Moscow, the World Cup final was about to start. The 2 national teams stepped into the green pitch. French team seemed the chosen one, young, beautiful, high-profile and confident. On the contrary, Croatian was elder and serious. Obviously the game has different meanings for them.
It began. Players were running fast, passing the ball frequently. Tensions were so high that people could barely breath. When will they kick the 1st ball? Everyone asked.
In 18th minutes, France saw the chance. A playertook a fake flop and win a free kicks, Croatian try to stop but ,Boom! They head the ball onto their own door. Big mistake!
In 28th minutes, Croatian shot the target and pulled a goal back. Good job！1-1 now.
In 38th minutes, something strange happened again. The video assistant referee showed that a Croatian player’s hand accidentally touched the ball in the defense. He didnt mean to it, but French got a penalty kick. They ended the 1st half point with 2-1. After the game ,most people thought the referees took sides in French .
The second half part was totally a disaster. French ran faster and faster,and they took another 1balls. 2 ball. 4-1.Croatia had fought valiantly ,still scoring1 point near the end. But they couldn’t deny the French victory.
Suddenly it began to rain . French won！ They jumped , cheered and hugged each other. In their backside was Croatian lost tears.
Modrić was chosen the best player of this world cup. The moment he holding the golden ball, there was a huge roar from the crowd.But he didn’t even give a smile. He said: ‘We are so unlucky.The rain didnt fall by accident, it was God crying for us Croatia.’
Croatia lost the champion ,but won the respect of whole world.Such a small developing country sparks so brightly on the world stage！After the game,millions of people become Croatian football fans,including me.
It reminds me of one detail. At the beginning, the official buses of each national team were decorated with a slogan. Croatian is Small country, big heart. Never lose hope，take the chance and make the dream real. That is Croatian football miracle.
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