Czechs: In Osijek, they told us we had no chance. Croatia is just a force, but we know how to shock it
On the eve of the key match of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Czech media with great respect, but with a dose of hidden optimism analyzing a duel against Croatia. The main narrative that runs through their inscriptions is summarized in the title of portal Port: « The key fight for the SP 2026. The Czechs stand against a cruel force, but know how to turn the favorites. » They described Croatia as a football superpower, but Czech Republic He comes to Osijek with nine points from the first three games and the belief that he can repeat successes from the past.
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We discover the squad of Croatia for a match against the Czech Republic: after four, Pasalic on the ‘Ten’ ‘
“Cruel football force”
Czech journalists do not save compliments at the expense of the Croatian national team. They describe it as a « cruel football force », a team that played the finals and semifinals in the last two World Cups and has one of the best midfielders in the world. The respect for the « Modric band » is a huge, and a convincing victory of Croatia against Gibraltar from 7-0 at the start of qualifying has only confirmed, as they write, « a clear desire for a sovereign passage through the group and securing the only direct place in the tournament. »
But despite the role of the favorite they award to Croatia, the Czechs do not come with a white flag. They enter the match with a series of eight matches without defeat is a maximum of nine points after winning against the Far island, Gibraltar and Montenegro.
“We wanted to be right in this position – said Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick signaling that the team has fulfilled its initial goal and is now ready to wait for the biggest challenge.
History as inspiration and hope
What gives the Czech national team the greatest hope is the history of mutual duels in major competitions. In their memory, they were engraved in Euro 2016, when the criticized team was losing 0-2 against Croatia at the time, and in the last 15 minutes she « found a way out of the deep swamp ». The goals of Milan Skoda and Tomáš Necida from the penalty came to, as they write, the « almost marvelous draw » 2-2.
Five years later, at the euro in Glasgow, they met again with the « Fire ». Then the Czech Republic took the goal of Patrick Schick, to set Ivan Perisic at the beginning of the second half the final 1-1. The Czech media points out that as many as seven players from today’s staff remember the successful European Championship, and the six of them (Bořil, Coufal, Holeš, Souček, Schick and Sadílek) are likely to play in Osijek. This memory of successful favorite battles serves as a strong motivator.
Menu Ivan Hasek He clearly said what approach he expects:
– We have to be brave, full of confidence, we have to let something on the field. If we were just defending ourselves, we have no chance of success.
« We would die for our country »
Czech journalists who arrived in Osijek quickly felt the atmosphere surrounding the Croatian national team. They transfer an anecdote from the accreditation center to the new Opus Arena, where one employee with a serious face expressed: « You play in the group only for second place, you have no chance on Monday. »
In order to evoke their readers depth of this connection, they quote the statement of Andrei Kramaric for the German Magazine 11freunde, which perfectly describes the spirit of the team:
– We would die for our country. I know that it is difficult for people from the outside to understand, but we are all children of the war generation and we have grown up with the realization that our relatives and friends have shed blood for our independence so that we can live in peace today. That national identity connects us. When we wear a national jersey, we feel that special energy.
Czech media conclude that before their national team, the task is to oppose « a missing company that connects the unconstitutional passion. » While Our Beautiful expects victory at the beautiful Osijek stadium, the Czechs hope that they will be the ones who will prevent the celebration on the streets of Osijek and once again prove that they know how to turn the favorite.
