June arrived, and the major leagues and cup competitions were wrapping up one after another.
After a season of hard work, some rejoiced while others worried.
Ferguson's Manchester United was undoubtedly the biggest winner. They not only secured the league title but also won the Champions League, completing a double crown.
Just one step short of replicating the legendary treble.
However, due to the intense schedule of the league and Champions League, Manchester United gave up early on the FA Cup, which contributed to their outstanding season success.
Barcelona became the topic of discussion across Europe. Guardiola's Barcelona was eliminated in the Champions League quarterfinals by AC Milan.
Though they lost, they almost crippled AC Milan and failed to advance to the semifinals.
Because of Barcelona's performance this season, many look forward to them showing even better form next season.
The decline of Serie A had become an established fact.
The once-dominant Italian giants who swept across Europe were now weak and fragile. Even strong teams like AC Milan were rapidly on the downturn.
They had lost much of their spotlight, and if not for influential stars like Suker, Kaká, and Ibrahimović, they might have truly sunk.
With the season fully concluded, fans grew even more excited.
The reason was simple!
The quadrennial European Championship was about to start!
The UEFA Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria would officially kick off on June 8.
Many European teams had already headed to Switzerland and Austria in advance to prepare for the group stage of the Euros.
This tournament had many favorite teams:
Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Croatia!
Italy was a traditional powerhouse in Europe. They won the 2006 World Cup, making them one of the top seeds for the title.
The German team, led by the warrior Ballack, had strong influence in Europe. They had brought in fresh talents like Podolski, Lahm, and Schweinsteiger, and it remained to be seen whether they could demonstrate stronger fighting power.
Spain's strength came from Barcelona and Real Madrid, who formed the core of the Spanish national team. With their possession style and exciting play, they attracted many fans' hopes.
Portugal was led by Figo, with the young star Cristiano Ronaldo rising. Ronaldo, especially, was the double golden boot winner for the league and Champions League this season and had won the Champions League, making him extremely prominent.
Greece's hype came from 2004!
In that crazy summer, Greece pulled off a legendary championship journey.
They staggered along but took firm steps, ultimately defeating host Portugal in the final to win the European Championship.
Finally, there was Croatia!
They were widely watched in the Euros.
Davor Suker, Boban, and others had started Croatia's golden generation.
After their retirement, in just four years, this Eastern European land produced a group of talented stars.
Led by Suker and Modrić, the Croatian national team was one of the toughest teams to crack in this European Championship.
Their style was passionate, swift, and resolute.
Their performance in the Euro qualifiers amazed many.
Although not a seeded team, they were definitely one of the favorites.
On Croatian TV, the European Championship channel launched a special "Euro Cup program" after the leagues ended.
Together with fans, they analyzed the pre-tournament situation, various possible developments, and awaited the hot summer.
Compared to the disappointing 2004 Euros, Croatian fans' expectations were at their peak this year.
"This is the Euro pre-channel, I am commentator Kraušević!"
"First, let's look at the latest squad list announced by national team coach Bilic!"
"The forward line is led by Suker, along with Dortmund's top scorer Mandžukić, and Dinamo Zagreb's Jelavić."
"In midfield, there's Champions League winner Modrić, Schalke 04's Rakitić, and Lyon's defensive midfielder Vukojević."
"The defense is splendid, including Southampton's Pranjić, AC Milan's Šimunić, veteran Robert Kovač at Dortmund, Inter Milan's Srna, and AC Milan's Štimac."
Reading the list, Kraušević's eyes curved into crescents and his lips involuntarily lifted.
This was his favorite segment.
Seeing so many players performing in Europe's top five leagues, including two Champions League winners, and Suker as a Ballon d'Or and World Footballer of the Year.
Most importantly, these two were not mere squad players but genuine core forwards and midfielders.
Even the substitutes were very strong.
This was what excited Kraušević and Croatian fans the most.
Although this was the team's first major international tournament together, it was definitely the strongest lineup in their history.
Croatian fans waited in front of their TVs. The show aired daily, and the hottest topic was the return of the national players.
Players had already returned one after another.
Suker was the latest because of the Italian Cup final, delaying his arrival.
Even though it was just Suker, the program broadcast live from the airport, capturing the whole process of his return.
Soon, the scene became noisy.
The crowd grew excited.
Cheers erupted.
"Suker!!! —"
"Suker!!! —"
"Suker!!! —"
Croatian fans gathered at Zagreb Airport raised their hands, jubilantly cheering.
At the airport exit, Suker appeared wearing the Croatian national team training suit.
Click! Click! Click!
Flashes went off repeatedly.
Escorted by security, Suker walked out of the crowded airport.
He couldn't respond to the excited fans; if things escalated, there might be chaos.
So Suker walked quickly.
He got into the team's business car, left the crowd, and headed straight to the national training center.
At the training center entrance, Boban stood waving at Suker.
Suker dragged his suitcase over and embraced Boban warmly.
Though they weren't that close, they kept up appearances.
"You finally came, tomorrow we leave for Switzerland," Boban said with a smile.
Štimac, Šimunić, and others had arrived a day earlier.
Suker was delayed one day.
Seeing Suker's puzzled look, Boban smiled:
"I'm the team leader for this Euro. Of course, I'm here to serve you. You just need to focus fully on the games. Anything else, just tell me."
Suker was surprised: "Congratulations!"
Boban smiled as they entered the training center.
While walking, Boban explained:
"The squad hasn't changed much but there's a newcomer!"
Suker turned: "A newcomer?"
Boban nodded: "Bilic observed many times and thought it necessary to bring him to this Euro. Although he won't get much playing time, he could become a strong fighter in the future."
"Who?" Suker asked.
"A young player currently with Hajduk — Ivan Perišić."
"That guy?" Suker was surprised.
Suker's impression of Perišić came mostly from memory.
In the future, Perišić, the "Perišić blade," would definitely be a sharp attacking weapon for Croatia.
But right now, Perišić was still a bit young.
Led by Boban, Suker arrived at the dormitory.
The players should all be on the training ground.
Suker quickly put down his luggage, grabbed his gear, and headed straight to the training base.
"Here!"
"Pass the ball!"
"Tommy! You're daydreaming again!"
Dujićmovic kicked the ball high out of the training ground.
Everyone's eyes followed the ball.
As the ball neared the ground, a figure appeared at the landing spot, slightly leaning back, chesting the ball up.
The ball was volleyed directly into the sky.
The ball made a parabola and dropped back into the field — striking Dujićmovix on the head.
Dujimovic gritted his teeth: "Suker! You son of a—"
Suker stuck out his tongue, made a funny face, and shrugged.
Everyone else burst out laughing.