June 26 — as twilight set in, the entire Croatian team boarded the bus to head to the stadium under the "head coach" Bilić's lead.
The venue was once again Vienna's Ernst-Happel Stadium.
Croatia would play their semifinal at the same ground.
The bus was silent.The past few days had been tumultuous for the Croatian national team —including Šuker's takeover, which had undoubtedly impacted team morale.
But there was no alternative.
Šuker didn't want to miss this opportunity, and Croatia couldn't afford to miss it either.
If they did, it could be years before another chance came.
He couldn't guarantee that in future World Cups or Euros,Croatia would still be in this form, with this spirit.
So — the bold decision had to be made.
And after the coup, Šuker's voice in the locker room became undeniably stronger.
On paper, Srna was still the captain,but everyone knew — Šuker was the real leader now.
The main players understood what had happened.The substitutes, however, were only vaguely aware of something unusual — they sensed tension, but didn't know the details.
Perišić, looking around blankly, felt the heaviness in the air.
Maybe it was the pressure of the Euro semifinal,or maybe it was the lingering effect of recent events.
The atmosphere wasn't as bright as usual.
He also began to fear Šuker.
He didn't know the specifics,but it was clear that Šuker had orchestrated the takeover.
From what little he'd heard,once Šuker made the call, he immediately rallied Srna and others to sideline Bilić.
And this was during the semifinals of the European Championship!
Perišić had always looked up to Šuker,but asked himself honestly —Could he have made such a bold move at such a critical moment?
No. He lacked that kind of courage.
That's why he now feared Šuker —because Šuker had not only made the decision,but had done it decisively.
"Alright, we're here!"
The bus arrived. Bilić stood up, his face dark:
"From here on out… it's up to you."
With that, he turned and left the bus.
His cold attitude made the players feel even worse.
They all looked uncomfortable.
Then, from the back of the bus, Šuker stepped forward, shouldered his bag, raised his arm, and said loudly:
"Everyone, check your gear — make sure you haven't left anything behind. One more reminder!"
"This is the Ernst-Happel Stadium, this is the EURO semifinal stage!"
"Today, thousands of fans will be watching live. Four million Croatians will be watching us from home. Don't be timid, don't hesitate, and don't lose your focus."
"Stay sharp! Win this match and then..."He raised his hand with force:"We go to the final — together!"
The players' eyes lit up with fire.
The previous confusion and anxiety began to fade —replaced by a hunger for victory.
Šuker stepped off the bus, and the rest followed.
Mandžukić nudged Dujmović:
"Šuker feels... different now."
"Feels like a real captain," Dujmović nodded.
From behind, Srna commented dryly:
"Saying that in front of me — appropriate?"
Mandžukić grinned:
"Well, you didn't say anything!"
Srna sighed:
"I don't know what to say. But… Šuker's doing a great job."
Šimić chimed in from the back with a laugh:
"He totally copied Maldini's speech style — sounds exactly the same!"
WHOOOOAAAAAA!!!
As the Croatian players got off the bus, the surrounding fans erupted.
Cheers thundered through the crowd, voices rising in waves:
"Let's go, Šuker!"
"Win the match!"
"Take us to the final!"
"Forward, Croatia!"
"We're not afraid of Spain!"
"We believe in you! Come on!"
Under this deafening encouragement, the players entered the stadium.
They followed staff to the locker room.
"Everyone, get changed and prep for warm-up!" Srna finally stepped up as acting captain.
Meanwhile, Van Stayak approached Bilić and the rest of the coaching staff.
"I know you're upset. I know you're angry. But I still hope you'll help with the warm-up."
The coaches looked at one another.
Bilić crossed his arms and stared at Van Stayak.
But Van Stayak spoke earnestly:
"Even if it's just for Croatia — I'm asking you."
After a deep breath, Bilić waved his hand:
"Get them warmed up, then."
The coaches sprang into action.
The locker room became lively once more.
Outside, the stadium was electric —star-studded, full of legends and officials.
UEFA's president, vice presidents of national federations, Beckham, Davor Šuker, Cruyff, and more had arrived.
Every major global media outlet was on site for this blockbuster showdown:
Spain's Matadors vs. Croatia's Checkered Warriors!
As the teams warmed up intensely, the stands were buzzing with nervous anticipation.
In the VIP area, Davor Šuker and others fidgeted nervously.
"Do you think they'll take control of the game?"
"Van Stayak's reliable."
"Šuker supports him too."
"Based on yesterday's training, this high pressing system really disrupts possession play."
"Let's just hope they win…"
These former Croatian Golden Generation stars were just as tense as the fans.
Spain wasn't feeling relaxed either.
Though they had played brilliantly so far, Croatia was no pushover.
For Croatia, Spain was a formidable rival.But for Spain, Croatia was just as dangerous.
Especially since many Spanish players were from Barcelona, who had faced Šuker's Milan in the Champions League.
They had already experienced how dangerous Šuker could be —and wouldn't dare underestimate him now.
The warm-up ended.Both teams returned to the locker rooms.
Van Stayak, notebook in hand, spoke with energy:
"Keep the pressing intensity high! Don't give their midfield space to pass!Disrupt their rhythm — that's the goal. When we win the ball, launch quick counterattacks!"
"Modrić, Rakitić — stay aggressive in the central axis.No hesitation when launching a counter.If there's no passing lane — give it to Šuker. Got it?"
"Got it!" the two replied loudly.
"And defense — everyone defends!Run! Get those legs moving!Even the center forward needs to chase back to the halfway line — or even the box!"
"And the same for counters — run nonstop!"
Van Stayaak slapped his thigh, spit flying in passion:
"Move your legs! Always stay in motion!"
After he finished, Srna called everyone together.
"Šuker, your turn to speak!"
Šuker froze.
"You're the captain — why me?"
Srna pointed at his mouth:
"I'm not good with words. You are."
Šuker grinned — true, Srna wasn't even good at arguing with Mandžukić.
After a deep breath, Šuker began:
"I'm speaking on behalf of Dario. I have two things to say."
"First — keep your absolute fighting spirit."
"Second — never doubt yourselves. Believe in yourselves, believe in your teammates."
"Yesterday, Davor told me — he hopes we'll bring them into the final."
The room fell silent.
"I promised him. But we're not just taking Davor and the others —we're taking four million Croatians with us!"
"Davor said — Croatia has only one thing the world knows us for: a piece of music."
Šuker pointed to the floor:
"Now, we're giving Croatia a second symbol —"
"Football."
"We'll show the world that Croatia has more than just Rhapsody —"
"We have football!"
"At the climax of a rhapsody, when the music is wildest — that's when we play our best!"
"Let's go, boys!"
"There's nothing to fear from Spain!"
"The world fears tiki-taka — but today, we break that fear!"
"After this match, I want us back on this field again."
"I want us to lift that trophy together this summer — the one that represents glory!"
"There's only one goal!"
Šuker roared:
"CHAMPIONS!"
The Croatian players' eyes blazed with fire.
They began to shout in unison:
"Champions!"
"Champions!"
"Champions!"
It was time to shout this dream out loud.
Hesitation never brings victory.
Two more matches, and they would be within reachof the trophy they had always dreamed of —the one that would make them the center of Europe.
They were young.
They didn't want to wait.
Yes, failure teaches lessons.But victory tastes far sweeter.
Croatia's most famous composition is called "Rhapsody."
And now — they would play it live…
On the biggest stage of Europe.
This was their Moment of Rhapsody.