JUST FOUR YEARS previously, Yugoslavia were banished from the European Championships because of the civil war then raging in the country.
The team that was sent in their place, Denmark, remarkably and inexplicably won the tournament.
So, the Balkan region had unfinished business with the Euros.
A gloriously rich team, the bulk of which had been the fulcrum of the brilliant Yugoslav side that triumphed at the World Under-20 championship in Chile in 1987, it featured the likes of Davor Suker, Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinecki, Alen Boksic, Robert Jarni, Igor Stimac and Slavan Bilic.
The story
The Croatian team, managed by Miroslav Blazevic, were involved in their very first competitive games as an independent country during qualification for Euro ’96.
And it proved a brilliant and eye-catching performance.
Led by Suker’s relentless form up front, the team topped Group 4, winning seven of their 10 games and pipping Italy to top spot on goal difference.
They beat the Azzurri in Palermo thanks to a brace from Suker while they drew with them back in Zagreb. In between, they put a magnificent seven past a sorry Estonia and racked up four at home to Ukraine.
It was a serious statement of intent.
At the finals, they were faced with a tricky group to navigate: Portugal, Turkey and the reigning champions, Denmark, all stood in their way.
But they got a great start against the Turks at the City Ground in Nottingham as substitute Goran Vlaovic grabbed a late winner.
Laurence Griffiths
Laurence Griffiths
Then came a crucial victory over the Danes at Hillsborough, as Suker grabbed the headlines thanks to an audacious chip over Peter Schmeichel.
It meant Croatia were heading for the knockout stages of their very first major international tournament.
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Blazevic changed his lineup around for the final group game against Portugal – the result of which would decide top-spot. He rested Suker, Boban and Aljosa Asanovic and gambled on the Croats needing just a point to finish first.
But Luis Figo scored after just four minutes and Croatia were always chasing the game after that. Joao Pinto added a second just after the half-hour mark and Blazevic introduced all three of his big-hitters at the break to try and salvage something.
But it was too little, too late and they ended up on the end of a humbling 3-0 loss.
The defeat ensured a quarter-final clash with Germany at Old Trafford, with the winner progressing to a final-four assignment with the English.
In what proved a bruising encounter, Croatia’s ill-discipline cost them. There was a cheap penalty conceded after just 20 minutes, with Jurgen Klinsmann taking full advantage while Bilic was fortunate not to get sent-off for kicking out at Christian Ziege while the German wing-back lay on the ground.
Inevitably, Suker got his side back in the game with a magnificent piece of subtle, individual magic.
Matthew Ashton
Matthew Ashton
After an error from Steffen Freund, Suker raced towards the German net. As Andreas Kopke came rushing out, Suker used the studs of his left boot to roll the ball to the side and dummied the goalkeeper before casually side-footing to the net.
But, within minutes, Stimac picked up a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Mehmet Scholl and Croatia were down to ten men.
And the Germans turned the screw.
With the sending-off creating confusion, Markus Babbel sent in a cross and the ball fell kindly for Mattias Sammer to volley to the corner.
There was to be no late comeback from the Croatians and Germany would go on to raise the trophy, beating England on penalties and the Czech Republic with a golden goal from Oliver Bierhoff.
Croatia would be back though. Just two years later, they would finish third at the 1998 World Cup.
Stand-out player
Davor Suker’s goals had pushed Croatia through qualifying for Euro ’96 while he managed a further three during the tournament.
With Sevilla since 1991, he was a huge hit in Spain and his prolific talent for club and country led to a transfer to Real Madrid in 1996. While at the Bernabeu, he won a Champions League and La Liga title while finishing as top scorer at the 1998 World Cup.
During Euro ’96, he provided the two most memorable moments – the glorious quick-thinking for his goal against Germany and that finish against Denmark.
Stand-out moment
As much as Suker’s finish was straight out of the top-drawer against the Danes, what about the first touch?
To control the long pass from Asanovic (which should also be lauded for its quality and unerring accuracy) and push it instantly into his stride using his weaker foot was absolutely remarkable and an under-rated element in just how technical this goal was.
It meant Suker could stay on his left-side as he approached Schmeichel and that a shot was on as soon as he gained possession.
“Perhaps the control was the most important thing”, Suker would say later.
But look too at just how close Suker was to Schmeichel – who is 6ft 4in tall – when he took the strike on.
To get it up and over the keeper so quickly is masterful.
Touch, thought, finish: a moment of genius from an excellent team.
The team
Staring XI v Denmark (16/6/96)
Drazen Ladic, Robert Jarni, Igor Stimac, Nikola Jerkan, Slaven Bilic, Aljosa Asanovic, Robert Prosinecki, Davor Suker, Zvonimir Boban (c), Mario Stanic, Goran Vlaovic.
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The retro Euro teams we loved: Croatia, 1996
Why we loved them
JUST FOUR YEARS previously, Yugoslavia were banished from the European Championships because of the civil war then raging in the country.
The team that was sent in their place, Denmark, remarkably and inexplicably won the tournament.
So, the Balkan region had unfinished business with the Euros.
A gloriously rich team, the bulk of which had been the fulcrum of the brilliant Yugoslav side that triumphed at the World Under-20 championship in Chile in 1987, it featured the likes of Davor Suker, Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinecki, Alen Boksic, Robert Jarni, Igor Stimac and Slavan Bilic.
The story
The Croatian team, managed by Miroslav Blazevic, were involved in their very first competitive games as an independent country during qualification for Euro ’96.
And it proved a brilliant and eye-catching performance.
Led by Suker’s relentless form up front, the team topped Group 4, winning seven of their 10 games and pipping Italy to top spot on goal difference.
They beat the Azzurri in Palermo thanks to a brace from Suker while they drew with them back in Zagreb. In between, they put a magnificent seven past a sorry Estonia and racked up four at home to Ukraine.
It was a serious statement of intent.
At the finals, they were faced with a tricky group to navigate: Portugal, Turkey and the reigning champions, Denmark, all stood in their way.
But they got a great start against the Turks at the City Ground in Nottingham as substitute Goran Vlaovic grabbed a late winner.
Then came a crucial victory over the Danes at Hillsborough, as Suker grabbed the headlines thanks to an audacious chip over Peter Schmeichel.
It meant Croatia were heading for the knockout stages of their very first major international tournament.
Blazevic changed his lineup around for the final group game against Portugal – the result of which would decide top-spot. He rested Suker, Boban and Aljosa Asanovic and gambled on the Croats needing just a point to finish first.
But Luis Figo scored after just four minutes and Croatia were always chasing the game after that. Joao Pinto added a second just after the half-hour mark and Blazevic introduced all three of his big-hitters at the break to try and salvage something.
But it was too little, too late and they ended up on the end of a humbling 3-0 loss.
The defeat ensured a quarter-final clash with Germany at Old Trafford, with the winner progressing to a final-four assignment with the English.
In what proved a bruising encounter, Croatia’s ill-discipline cost them. There was a cheap penalty conceded after just 20 minutes, with Jurgen Klinsmann taking full advantage while Bilic was fortunate not to get sent-off for kicking out at Christian Ziege while the German wing-back lay on the ground.
Inevitably, Suker got his side back in the game with a magnificent piece of subtle, individual magic.
After an error from Steffen Freund, Suker raced towards the German net. As Andreas Kopke came rushing out, Suker used the studs of his left boot to roll the ball to the side and dummied the goalkeeper before casually side-footing to the net.
But, within minutes, Stimac picked up a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Mehmet Scholl and Croatia were down to ten men.
And the Germans turned the screw.
With the sending-off creating confusion, Markus Babbel sent in a cross and the ball fell kindly for Mattias Sammer to volley to the corner.
There was to be no late comeback from the Croatians and Germany would go on to raise the trophy, beating England on penalties and the Czech Republic with a golden goal from Oliver Bierhoff.
Croatia would be back though. Just two years later, they would finish third at the 1998 World Cup.
Stand-out player
Davor Suker’s goals had pushed Croatia through qualifying for Euro ’96 while he managed a further three during the tournament.
With Sevilla since 1991, he was a huge hit in Spain and his prolific talent for club and country led to a transfer to Real Madrid in 1996. While at the Bernabeu, he won a Champions League and La Liga title while finishing as top scorer at the 1998 World Cup.
During Euro ’96, he provided the two most memorable moments – the glorious quick-thinking for his goal against Germany and that finish against Denmark.
Stand-out moment
As much as Suker’s finish was straight out of the top-drawer against the Danes, what about the first touch?
To control the long pass from Asanovic (which should also be lauded for its quality and unerring accuracy) and push it instantly into his stride using his weaker foot was absolutely remarkable and an under-rated element in just how technical this goal was.
It meant Suker could stay on his left-side as he approached Schmeichel and that a shot was on as soon as he gained possession.
“Perhaps the control was the most important thing”, Suker would say later.
But look too at just how close Suker was to Schmeichel – who is 6ft 4in tall – when he took the strike on.
To get it up and over the keeper so quickly is masterful.
Touch, thought, finish: a moment of genius from an excellent team.
The team
Staring XI v Denmark (16/6/96)
Drazen Ladic, Robert Jarni, Igor Stimac, Nikola Jerkan, Slaven Bilic, Aljosa Asanovic, Robert Prosinecki, Davor Suker, Zvonimir Boban (c), Mario Stanic, Goran Vlaovic.
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Cult Heroes Davor Suker Editor's picks euro 1996 miroslav blazevic robert jarni Slaven Bilic Croatia Zvonimir Boban