On September 7th, following the 2010 World Cup, the Croatian national team regrouped for their next international mission.
This match marked the beginning of the qualifying campaign for the 2012 UEFA European Championship.
Croatia was set to face Latvia at home.
"After a month, we once again welcome international football. Following the World Cup, Croatia sets out again to battle for the 2012 Euros. As defending European champions, new head coach Bessic humbly stated in a pre-match interview that our goal is simply to qualify—but I believe Croatia can show an even better performance, both in the qualifiers and the main tournament!"
People's expectations are always rising.
Never played in the Euros? Then fight desperately just to qualify.
Qualified? Then aim for the knockout rounds.
Made it past knockouts? Now chase a better placement.
Eventually, the goal becomes the championship.
That's human ambition and greed—or, more positively, dreams.
For Croatia, who have already won the Euros once, they are now stronger after the baptism of the World Cup.
You can feel it—this Croatian side now resembles a battle-hardened army, no longer the reckless boys of the past.
Maksimir Stadium.
The cameras were almost always focused on Suker.
Currently the most influential star, and a strong contender for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or, Suker naturally attracted global attention.
Although Croatia exited the World Cup in the semifinals, Suker's dominant performance left a lasting impression on fans.
In fact, thanks to that World Cup, Suker's fan base exploded, further boosting his influence and commercial value.
"So many people!"
Brozović, warming up on the pitch, looked around at the packed stands, fluttering flags, and passionate fans, and couldn't help but marvel at the influence of this Croatian super golden generation.
Brozović was the third-generation product of Besic's tenure at Dinamo Zagreb.
Suker, Modrić, Mandžukić—those were first-gen talents, the most successful batch.
Second-gen players included Rakitić, Ćorluka, and Subašić.
By the third generation, both quality and quantity dipped a bit. So far, only Brozović and Kovačić had attracted major attention.
While not as brilliant as the first wave, they still carried the hopes of Dinamo fans.
Besides, Brozović had just become the youngest player in Croatian history to be called up to the national team at 18 years and 123 days.
"Marcelo!! Marcelo!! Marcelo!!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice caught his ear.
Brozović turned and saw his good friend Kovačić leaning over the front of the stands, wildly shouting his name.
Due to the crowd noise, Brozović couldn't hear him clearly but still smiled and waved.
"So you came to cheer me on, huh?"
Kovačić was practically hanging over the railing, half his body dangling as he yelled:
"You got selected for the national team? Are you kidding me?! You got in this fast? Get lost—stay away from Suker! Arghhh! I'm so jealous!"
"Waving? You dumbass, waving your hand like that!"
Back on the pitch, warmups ended.
Srna patted Brozović on the shoulder.
"Time to go."
As a senior player, Srna looked after this new recruit who had just experienced a major idol shock.
From the training camp, it was clear Brozović had talent—he just needed experience to turn it into real performance.
In the Croatian locker room, Bessic calmly said:
"We'll go with the full starting lineup today. Don't let your guard down just because the opponent is Latvia. Execute solid defense and counterattacks, control the game steadily, and that's how we'll win."
Bessic was cautious to the extreme.
Latvia wasn't a strong team. Croatia could probably win with a mixed lineup of starters and subs.
But to ensure a solid start, Bessic decided to use his best eleven for the first half.
Gain the lead early, then gradually ease into the second half.
Hearing this, Brozović felt a pang of disappointment.
Even though he didn't expect to start, he still longed for a chance to represent his country on the field.
This training camp had already helped him a lot.
Playing football is like playing chess.
If you play with amateurs, you get worse.
But play against pros, and with talent, you improve rapidly.
The camp was hard—but fulfilling.
"What's wrong? Want to start already?"
Suker put a hand on Brozović's head, smiling playfully.
Brozović stiffened and turned slightly.
Even after a week, he still hadn't recovered from the shock of meeting his hero.
His hero! Suker should be the embodiment of toughness, bravery, composure, hard work, and humility—not some creepy guy who messes with others!
"Say something!"
Suker turned his head forcefully toward him.
You really think I can't handle you?
Brozović, still avoiding eye contact, mumbled:
"Of course I want to start, but I'm not good enough yet. So I'll be patient."
Suker grinned and pulled out his Rolex from his bag.
"See this?"
Brozović glanced at it and turned away.
"So tacky!"
Suker was about to respond when Srna barked:
"Quit messing with him. Put that watch away. You want a yellow card before kickoff?"
Suker quickly got up as the team headed out.
But before leaving, he turned to Brozović:
"If you get any playing time this year—even as a sub—I'll give you this watch."
Brozović's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Suker nodded, then clapped his hands and shouted:
"Alright, boys—let's raise hell out there!"
ROAAAAAAAR!!!
The locker room erupted.
That moment fully showcased the swagger of a defending European champion.
Brozović blinked—this is what the Croatian national team should feel like.
Soon, both teams gathered in the tunnel.
Gulp. Gulp.
As the Croatian players walked in, the Latvians instinctively swallowed nervously.
These were players from top leagues—Suker, Modrić, Srna, Mandžukić...
Euro champions. World Cup semifinalists.
All reminders that Latvia needed to brace themselves.
Starting Lineups:
Croatia (4-3-3):GK: SubašićDEF: Pranjić, Šimunić, Kovač, SrnaMID: Rakitić, Vukojević, ModrićFW: Perišić, Mandžukić, Suker
Latvia (4-3-3):GK: VaninsDEF: Klava, Ivanovs, Mihailovs, GorkšsMID: Caunia, Rafelovskis, LaizānsFW: Rubins, Karlsons, Verpakovskis
"Both teams are out. Croatia's lineup largely mirrors their World Cup setup. New coach Bessic hasn't made major changes, except choosing the younger Subašić in goal."
"Subašić, playing for Dinamo Zagreb, has shown great reflexes this season. He's a reliable shot-stopper."
"Also in the XI is Perišić. Though he didn't play much in the knockouts, he impressed earlier in the World Cup."
On the sideline, Van Stojak commented:
"Perišić is a very useful player. Give him more time, and he'll shine even brighter."
Besic turned and said:
"Do you know what makes Perišić special?"
"Special? What do you mean?"
"I rated him early and wanted him for the second-generation team, but he chose to stay at Hajduk."
"He's good at off-ball movement and finishing—as long as he doesn't touch the ball too much."
"Don't let him carry it?!" Van Stojak was surprised.
Bessic nodded.
"The ball becomes a burden to him. It draws too much attention and hinders his game. He's better at making runs, shooting, or passing quickly. He even defends decently."
"So... we've been using him wrong all this time?"
Besic smiled and patted his arm.
"No. You've done well."
On the pitch, the teams took their positions.
Kickoff—Latvia started the match.
"Careful. Croatia loves to press high. Don't get flustered."
Latvian striker Karlsons warned his strike partner Verpakovskis.
The latter nodded grimly.
Croatia's high pressing gave even top teams headaches.
Whistle blows. Game on.
"This is the first round of Euro 2012 qualifying. Croatia vs. Latvia. Let's get that first win and begin our charge—eh?"
Commentator Kraulšević blinked.
Croatia didn't charge forward.
Well—they sort of did. Suker and the forwards pressed, but the midfield and defense stayed deeper.
A positional game?
"Careful—they might be baiting us."
Latvian defender Ivanovs called out, but he too saw no aggressive push.
"What's going on?"
Latvia was puzzled. This wasn't Croatia's usual dogfight style.
Van Stojak turned to look at Besic.
He had to admit—compared to Bilić, this coach had something special.
Bilić wasn't a tactician, so Van Stojak handled game plans. His style? All or nothing.
Press high. Fight hard. Win fast. That's how Croatia played—until players got injured from the pressure.
Besic, however, was more measured.
Why waste energy pressing Latvia?
To Besic, you only play your trump cards at the most valuable moment.
Latvia, seeing no immediate pressure, grew bolder and started pushing up.
That's when Besic whispered:
"Strangle."
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The tempo exploded.
Modrić and Vukojević cut off Latvia's passing lanes and forced play wide.
Rubins barely received the ball before Srna clattered into him.
"Don't even think—"
Rubins tried talking tough, but Srna shoved him aside and took the ball cleanly.
"Srna! Pure physical strength wins the ball!"
The stadium erupted in cheers.
Srna passed back to Šimunić.
Latvia, thinking Croatia would slowly build up, didn't retreat in time.
Šimunić looked up—his teammates were in position—and launched a long pass.
"Suker!!"
Whoosh!!
Suker exploded down the wing like a rocket—98 pace fully unleashed.
Latvian right-back Klava barely reacted before Suker blazed past him.
Klava hoped Suker would fumble the first touch—but nope.
Suker killed the ball dead in stride, without slowing.
"Oh no!!"
Klava panicked and called for backup.
"Ivanovs!!"
The center-back rushed over. Suker faked a shot, cut the ball, opened space...
"Suker!! Latvia in danger!!"
But just as defenders closed in, Suker calmly slipped the ball sideways.
Mandžukić arrived and slotted it home.
Swish!The net bulged.
11 minutes in, Croatia scored off a counterattack.
"GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Mario Mandžukić!! An insane run by Suker—what an assist!"
"11th minute—Croatia 1:0 Latvia!"
The crowd exploded like a wave.
The Croatian bench jumped up in celebration.
Brozović hugged his teammates.
Powerful!Almost terrifying.
Just one counterattack—and they scored.
It was a goal built from talent, composure, and tactical discipline.
Brozović had felt it during training.
But in a match? They were on another level.
15th minute: Four minutes later, Modrić's surgical through ball sent Suker through for another goal.2–0 Croatia.
28th minute: Perišić received a pass from Rakitić and lobbed it to the far post.Suker met it mid-air and tapped it in.
3–0 Croatia.
Less than 30 minutes in—and Croatia had three goals.
Brozović was stunned.
Even against a weaker team—these were the best players Latvia had to offer.
Yet Croatia tore through them like paper, slicing open their defense three times.
How could Latvia keep playing after that?
Fortunately, Bessic signaled for Croatia to slow the pace.
They switched to a more patient, possession-based rhythm, mixing in attacks but mostly holding the ball to run down the clock.
Latvia, thrown off completely, didn't know what to do.
They looked like headless chickens, running everywhere.
Halftime score:Croatia 3:0 Latvia.