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The much-anticipated Euro 2020 is just a few weeks away, with some of Europe's biggest teams set to battle for the continent's most prestigious international title. This edition of the Euros was initially scheduled for 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to its postponement by a year.
After a five-year break, the Euros will return, with Portugal coming into the prestigious tournament as the defending champions. Reigning world champions France will start as one of the overwhelming favourites. However, they might have to overcome their 2018 FIFA World Cup final opponents, Croatia, along the way. Incidentally, Zlatko Dalic's team happen to be one of the favourites at Euro 2020.
On that note, let's take a look at five reasons why Croatia could win Euro 2020.
#1 Croatia have a favourable group at Euro 2020
Croatia will kick off their Euro 2020 campaign on 13th June against England, whom they faced in the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Balkan nation will take immense confidence going into their first game of the tournament, as they beat England 2-1 to reach their maiden World Cup final. A win over England at the Wembley Stadium this time could hand the Croats a massive boost in their remaining group-stage games. Even a draw could help them in contention for pole position in Group D.
In their next two Euro 2020 games, Croatia will face the Czech Republic and Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow. Even though conditions will be slightly unfamiliar, Croatia should have enough firepower to overcome both teams. If Croatia top their group, they'll face the second-placed team in Group F (one of Portugal, France, Germany and Hungary) in the Round of 16.
If they survive that round, Croatia will most likely face Spain in the quarter-finals and the Netherlands in the semis of Euro 2020. Spain are not playing their best football at the moment, and the Netherlands have a talented but largely inexperienced team.
So, Euro 2020 could be Croatia's best opportunity to make it to two consecutive finals in the two biggest international tournaments and perhaps go all the way.
#2 Managerial prowess of Zlatko Dalic
Croatia's manager, Zlatko Dalic, was a little-known name before the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His last managerial role was at Al Ain, before he chose to leave them.
Despite being one of the most inexperienced managers in the tournament, Dalic guided Croatia to a magical run in Russia. Earlier, Croatia were in real danger of missing out on a spot in the 2018 World Cup, thanks to indifferent performances in the qualifiers, but that changed with Dalic's arrival.
Despite managing clubs in smaller leagues in Albania, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Croatia, Zlatko Dalic was not fazed by the big stage.
He revived Croatia's qualifying campaign before leading the team to their best-ever World Cup campaign. Experiences in the Gulf shaped Dalic's management style, and he has acquired a diverse understanding of the game since his first job in 2008. That could come in handy at Euro 2020.
Earlier, Croatia had an emphatic Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, losing only one of their eight games before sealing their berth in the tournament.
#3 Recent big-tournament pedigree
Croatia are among the favourites at Euro 2020, thanks to a world-class team boasting some of the biggest names in the game. However, the dynamics and the conversation around Croatia before going into the 2018 FIFA World Cup was very different.
The Vatreni's first World Cup appearance was in 1998, seven years after gaining independence. Croatia are among the more inexperienced World Cup teams, having made an appearance at the main stage on only five occasions. That number fades in comparison to footballing powerhouses like France, Brazil, Germany and England, to name a few.
Croatia made an exceptional debut in the international scene, earning a third-place finish in their debut 1998 World Cup campaign. However, the Chequered Ones could not build on their excellent start, failing to progress beyond the group stage of the tournament till the 2018 World Cup.
Their run to the final at the World Cup three years ago came about as a result of a new generation of exciting talent coming through the national system. That, coupled with the sound management of Zlatko Dalic, has made Croatia a footballing powerhouse.
That, in itself, is a massive victory for a small country of 4.08 million people. The players now have the experience of high-pressure matches on the international stage and will not be fazed while appearing in Euro 2020.
In the Euros, Croatia have never made it past the quarter-finals (1996, 2008) in five attempts, but that could change at Euro 2020.
#4 Croatia have one of the best midfields in Europe
After their serene progress through Euro 2020 qualifying, Croatia will fancy their chances of going all the way, thanks to a world-class midfield, one of the best in Europe.
Croatia's midfield will be spearheaded by four-time Champions League winner Luka Modric. He was one of Real Madrid's best players in the 2020-21 season and will look to continue his fine form at Euro 2020. Modric won the Golden Ball at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and similar things will be expected of Croatia's most capped player.
The Los Blancos wizard will be joined by former Barcelona man Ivan Rakitic, who remains one of the best midfielders in La Liga. Rakitic played a crucial role in Sevilla's top-four finish in the Spanish league season. He will hope to make a similar impact as one of two central midfielders in Croatia's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
The dynamic midfield duo will be accompanied in the middle of the park by Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic and Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic. Both these talented midfield operators are coming off big seasons with their respective clubs. They will add a lot more flair and depth to their national side.
#5 The Golden Generation of Croatian football
The recent exploits of the Croatian football team is one of the greatest success stories in world football. One of the least populated and smallest countries of Europe made a fairy-tale run to the final of the 2018 World Cup.
Despite being one of the least experienced teams going into the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Croatia were one of the standout teams in the tournament. The Vatrenis have immense talent across almost every position on the pitch. They have a decent mix of experience and youth, making them one of the most complete teams in international football.
The World Cup finalists boast big names such as Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Perisic, dubbed as the Golden Generation of Croatian football. Croatia have also named AC Milan striker Ante Rebic, former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren and the midfield duo of Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic in their Euro 2020 squad.
Zlatko Dalic will have a raft of top-notch talents to choose from at Euro 2020. Croatia were the dark horses at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but two years later, they will kick off their Euro 2020 campaign as one of the strong contenders.
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