"Everyone, put on your training kits and get ready to warm up!"
"Make sure to warm up thoroughly. Don't put too much pressure on yourselves—just treat this like a regular match!"
"We can do this!"
"Let's go, everyone!"
Inside the Croatian locker room, the players were rallying one another, shouting words of encouragement again and again.
Even though they were told to treat it like just another game, how many could truly do that?
This was the European Championship Final.A once-every-four-years international tournament, a single-elimination gauntlet—and they had made it all the way here.
For any professional footballer, reaching the Euro final was already a huge achievement.And now, just one more step—to win it all.
Every Croatian player understood what this title meant.
Not just for themselves, but for their entire nation.
So talk of "keeping a calm mind" was basically meaningless.
At this point, just playing without major mistakes would already be commendable.
Šuker bent over to tie his boots, then pulled out a pair of socks.Using a small blade, he made tiny slits on the back of the sock cuffs.
New socks tend to squeeze the calves tightly, and while he didn't notice this before, now that his physique had grown stronger, his calves were bulkier, and the compression became uncomfortable.
So he had to cut the socks to relieve the pressure.
And not just socks—many Croatian players also cut holes in the heel area of their boots to relieve tightness caused by the snug fit.
Soon, the players began to walk out of the tunnel.
As they stepped onto the pitch, the roar of the crowd intensified dramatically.
The thunderous cheer swept across the entire stadium.Tens of thousands of Croatian fans screamed at the top of their lungs.
The volume startled even Šuker and the others—it was the loudest cheer they had ever heard.
This was the power of tens of thousands of voices united in a single outburst.
Ever since Croatia reached the semifinals, nothing had been certain.
Facing Spain, many Croatian fans had feared their journey might end.
But these Croatian boys exceeded all expectations.
They defeated La Roja, and for the first time in history, Croatia had reached a European Championship Final.
Seeing the iconic red-and-white checkered shirts on the final stage—many Croatian fans were brought to tears.Their hearts surged with indescribable pride.
Compared to historically dominant national teams, Croatia was just a fledgling force.
The country had only existed for 17 years.
And in that time:
1998 World Cup – Semifinal
2008 Euro – Final
How could they not feel proud?
In the past, Croatia was best known for its rhapsody,but now, their football had begun to shine on the world stage.
This was the Euro Final.The fans believed their boys would put on a brilliant performance.
Across Croatia, millions of households tuned in to watch.
In fact, the Croatian government declared a national holiday for the occasion.Every public space and bar was broadcasting the match live.
Schools closed.
Students watched from home, cheering on these Croatian warriors through their TV screens.
On the roads, cars slowed to a crawl.As they passed large outdoor screens in public squares, drivers couldn't help but watch.
This truly was a moment of national unity.A match that captured the hearts of the entire Croatian people.
And the 11 Croatian players about to step onto the field were now shouldering the honor of their nation.
"The warm-up is over. The players are returning to their locker rooms for final tactical adjustments. In ten minutes, they'll re-emerge in the tunnel for kickoff!"
"After 22 days, Euro 2008 has finally reached the final!"
"And after round after round of fierce battles, we've finally stepped onto this grand stage!"
Facing the camera, Kraushvić declared with strength in his voice:
"Let's raise our voices and give a thunderous cheer to the Croatian boys about to take on Germany!"
WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
All across Croatia, a deafening roar erupted.
That cheer crossed the Alps and surged toward Vienna, Austria's capital.
Back inside the Croatian locker room.
"Let's huddle up!" Šuker clapped.
Everyone—players, starters, subs, coaches, and staff—gathered into a tight circle.
Šuker looked toward Srna, who gave a firm nod.
Taking a deep breath, Šuker's voice rang out.
"Today is the final!Today is the culmination of all our years of hard work!"
"Do you remember the first day we met?Remember that day, and everything we've worked for since!"
"You've always given your all!"
"You've always fought until the last second!"
One by one, the Croatian players lifted their heads with pride.
Šuker was right.
All their efforts had led to this moment.
Suddenly, Šuker raised his voice to a shout:
"Boys! Today, we will earn our reward!"
"Today, we give this victory to ourselves,to everyone who supports us,and to the four million Croatians behind us!"
"Today—we are destined to be champions!"
"We will give everything we have on the pitch!"
As his words rang out, the players' eyes burned with passion.
It was as if a flame ignited in their chests.
"I hope we can all embrace each other at the end!""Let's shout it out loud—we are willing to give everything for this jersey!"
"Because this will be the greatest jersey in all of Europe!"
CLAP CLAP CLAP!
Šuker clapped vigorously.
"Let's go, boys!"
He stepped back, joining the circle.
Srna took a deep breath and roared:
"Give our souls and our hearts!"
The echo of his shout exploded in the locker room like thunder.
"GIVE OUR SOULS AND OUR HEARTS!!"
Šuker slammed his fist onto the table.
"Prepare for battle!"
The Croatian players raised their heads, their morale surging, and marched out of the locker room.
As they entered the tunnel, they saw the German players waiting.
The Germans turned as well.
Their gazes locked—like lightning clashing with thunder.
This was a moment of pure intensity.
No one would back down here.No one could say "no" to the title.This was the stage of their dreams.
The Euro Final—just one step away.
And as they stepped onto the pitch,the final began.
ROOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!
A volcanic eruption of cheers shook the entire Happel Stadium.
On-screen, players walked out hand-in-hand with the match mascots.With music blaring, they passed through the archway and officially stepped onto the European Championship Final stage.
"They're coming out! The Croatian boys have stepped onto the Euro final pitch!"
Kraushvić's voice choked with emotion.
The match hadn't even started, and he was already overwhelmed.
Germany had long basked in football glory.
But for Croatia, they had started with nothing.
Just reaching the semifinals was already overwhelming.
And yet—like the Croatian Rhapsody—these boys had shocked the world with their insane performances and made it to the final.
Both sides' fans shouted with all their might,creating an atmosphere of pure chaos and electricity.
The camera panned from left to right:
Ballack, Lahm, Schweinsteiger
Šuker, Mandžukić, Modrić, Dujmović
Germany in their iconic black kits.Croatia in their red-and-white checkerboard shirts.
The two finalists were now officially on the field.
The Vienna night burned with fervor.The whole city seemed drenched in emotion.
Though the match hadn't yet begun, the stadium already pulsed with:
Tension. Excitement. Anticipation.
This was the stage of the European Championship Final—and the focus of the entire continent... even the whole world.