"Internal Conflict in the Croatian Team?!"
"Bilić Sidelined?"
"Tensions Between Šuker and Bilić!"
June 25 — headlines like these flooded the media.
There are no walls without cracks — news of Bilić being sidelined was too big to stay hidden.Especially now, with the whole of Europe watching Croatia closely.
Even though the first-team players kept silent, either out of support for Šuker or fear of him, there were still members in the coaching staff loyal to Bilić.
While Bilić himself couldn't speak out, that didn't mean his allies couldn't.
However, as soon as these voices emerged, a counter-operation led by Boban, Davor Šuker, Bešić, and other veterans moved in to suppress the rumors.
Boban, acting as national team director, was the first to make a public statement — calling the reports baseless rumors and blasting the media for attempting to destabilize the team.
At first, Croatian media were caught off guard.
But once Boban took control of the narrative, they quickly followed his lead.
After all — this wasn't just about foreign rumors, this was about their own national hero Šuker.
Naturally, the Croatian press sided with Šuker without hesitation.
So, while rumors and online debates raged,The Croatian national team remained relatively calm.
Bilić was sidelined — he didn't even show up at training.
But the team claimed they were undergoing closed-door sessions,as a way to cover up the situation.
In truth, everyone knew:When the Euro is over, the truth will come out.
At the training grounds, the players trained under assistant coach Van Stayaak.
Bilić had lost all control.
In fact, most of the coaching staff had also been rendered irrelevant —Only Van Stayaak remained in charge.
But he couldn't handle it all alone.
Luckily, Boban, Davor Šuker, and others volunteered to help run the sessions.
"Just like a brick,""Wherever we need someone — he's there!"
Šuker watched as Davor Šuker, dressed in a suit and white shirt,led the strikers in drills.
His dress shoes were covered in grass clippings,his white shirt stained with green patches.
Sweat dripping, Davor Šuker enthusiastically passed on his experience to Mandžukić and the others.
Boban, too, was mentoring Modrić and Rakitić.
They even brought in extra helpers — former players like Štimac and goalkeeper Radić.
Without them, Croatia's training might have ground to a halt.
Šuker truly felt grateful for this Golden Generation of Croatian football.
When he launched the "coup" to sideline Bilić,it forced the veterans to choose sides between two former teammates.
They chose to support Šuker —even though there wasn't much choice.
But beyond that, Davor Šuker used his connectionsto call in old teammates, organize support,and pick up the pieces.
That's how the national team's training was able to continue smoothly.
"Alright, that's enough for today.Tomorrow is the semifinal!"
Davor Šuker paused, still uneasy inside.
"Let's do our best."
That was all he could say.
"Here, water — you've worked hard."Šuker jogged over and handed him a bottle.
Davor glanced sideways at him.Of course he was still a little bitter.
After all, he was pulled into this without warning,and now he was not only cleaning up Šuker's mess,but also helping with training duties.
Not to mention — the man they ousted was his old teammate.
But looking at Šuker…his anger faded quickly.
These boys were Croatia's future.
"Let's talk,"Davor Šuker said suddenly.
Šuker nodded immediately.
Davor shrugged off his jacket and threw it over his shoulder.
Šuker, quick on his feet, offered:
"Let me carry that for you."
Davor didn't refuse.
The two of them walked together to the far end of the field.
Once they turned the corner, Davor sighed:
"Did it really have to go this far?"
Šuker kept his head down:
"I didn't want it either…But there was no other way."
Davor sighed again:
"Well, it's done.I don't know what else to say.Whatever you need — just call on us."
Šuker looked up:
"You could still choose to support Bilić."
Davor shook his head:
"Bešić already told me everything."
Šuker raised an eyebrow.
Davor continued:
"At first, we were shocked —Bilić suddenly seemed brilliant.We thought maybe he'd had a breakthrough.But then Bešić told me about Van Stayaak…He was your and Luka's coach back in Bosnia, right?"
"That's right," Šuker nodded.
"That's one reason," Davor said bitterly. "But the other…"
"Croatia is so small. In the eyes of the world, we're just a tiny country. We don't have a grand history, nothing to be proud of. Maybe the only thing the world knows about us is one song."
"We fought so hard —all to give this country something more. Like football."
"But we still failed. I played 12 years for Croatia —through highs and lows. Through glorious moments and bitter defeats."
"In 1998, we lost in the semifinals. Boban and I still argue about whether we should've passed in that moment. Ten years have gone by, and we still haven't let it go."
"We carry so much regret from that match. That's why we don't want you to go through the same thing."
"Even if you fail —as long as you have no regrets, as long as you play your way, with your passion — that's enough."
"Spain is strong. The whole world says they are. But I still believe in you."
He patted Šuker on the shoulder.
"Do your best. Tomorrow, I'll be there watching you."
Davor bit his lip. His hand on Šuker's shoulder kept rubbing, clearly full of emotion.
"You want to say something?" Šuker asked softly.
Davor's lips trembled:
"Take us… to the final once."
Šuker looked up and saw Davor's moist eyes.He was fighting back tears.
The 1998 World Cup was the closest Croatia had ever gotten to the final. It was Davor Šuker and his generation's last stand.
After that defeat, they began the final chapter of their careers.
It was like the world was telling them: That was your limit.
And that moment became a lifelong sorrow in Davor's heart.
Even now, in his dreams,he would still relive that exact scene:
That missed chance —that tight-angle shot from the left side of the box —that was saved by the keeper, sealing Croatia's fate.
Of all the goals Davor Šuker scored in his career, that missed shot was the one he regretted the most.
If he could, he would trade all his goals just to score that one.
But time doesn't rewind.
A loss is a loss.
All they could do nowwas nurture the next generation —in hopes that they could finish what they couldn't.
And now, Šuker and the new team stood at their own semifinal crossroad.
The Golden Generation didn't want them to live with regret.
That was why they gave everything to support Šuker's takeover.
Whooosh—
A breeze swept through,rustling the trees,lifting the hem of Davor Šuker's shirt.
In the wind,it was as if he heard a voice respond:
"Let's go to the final — together."
Night fell without incident.
June 26 arrived quietly.
This was Croatia's second-ever semifinal.
The last time was ten years ago, in the 1998 World Cup.
Back then, they faced a mighty France led by Zidane.
This time, their opponent was just as formidable:
The matadors of Spain!
From the group stage,Spain and Croatia had been seen as the two strongest teams.
Everyone knew —this match would be a battle for the ages.
They just didn't expect it to arrive so soon.
EURO Semifinal: Spain vs Croatia.
A direct showdown between Europe's two rising football powers!