I am Croatian and can tell you what makes Croatian players so good. It is indeed a combination of nature and nurture.
NURTURE
* Croatia is a 1st world country in quality of life. No real poverty. A lot of corruption limits upside, which is why young people leave a lot, but still a good living comparably to other societies.
* Football is funded. Great academies, especially Dinamo and Hajduk. Every kid will get assistance 1 way or the other.
* Sports science, training, nutrition, exposure to ALL competition, including pros, across age ranges is facilitated. Solid, but not luxurious. Families still contribute a lot of time and some money...but also develops a sense of toughness, sacrifice, and commitment.
* Special academic accommodation through high school...as identified talent plays football all day. No college path.
* Because of academic sacrifice, guarantee of vocational training and jobs if pursuit of football is a bust.
* No age or competition based elimination. If a young, skinny but talented guy is overrun by the big guy, he gets time to physically mature. If too many talented guys one team crowd each other out, they are distributed to other teams to even out development...DEVELOPMENT not the SCOREBOARD is what is measured.
* a strong league = DECISIVE. Croatians get playing time, exposed to the CL and Europa League in club competition. Croatians believe you peak at age 24, especially Croatians on physiology, right or wrong on this.
* the league fosters a common playing style and familiarity. Croatian players get to know each other. They are famous for pulling one another into big European clubs...even players of Croatian heritage, as Croatia gave Christian Pulisic a passport so he could play in Germany at age 16.
* there is a Croatian program to identify and assist players of Croatian heritage abroad. Here is a list of current NT players from abroad: Josip Sutalo: Bosnia, Dejan Lovren: Bosnia, Mateo Kovacic: Austria, Josip Stanisic: Germany, Mario Pasalic: Germany, Luka Sucic: Germany, Ante Budimir: Germany.
* Culture: Croatians love football and the egos. Promote individual creativity, opinions, even to the point of friction. If you've been around Croatians, you will know what I mean. We believe we can tolerate being a jerk if a player can become great and ultimately reigned in...for the love of Croatia. There is a commitment to winning at the club and NT level...with a measured and contextual approach about balancing results vs what can be tweaked before firing coaches and players.
A Scottish person asked why Croatia? Why not Scotland, Ireland, or Wales? He wrote a great blog here:
https://www.followfollow.com/forum/thre ... st-9114284
Read it if you have time. It hits the nail on the head.
NATURE
Ok, this is where it gets controversial. Right or wrong, Croatians believe we have a bit more talent and physical ability than other Europeans. We're tall, strong, and do well in many sports. We have great coaches too.
Note Croatian-American NFL and college football coaches. Bill Belichick is wearing a Croatian flag as he coaches the New England Patriots. He loves Croatia too. Nick Saban is Croatian and gave an interview with Saban on their Croatian heritage. Pete Carroll is Croatian on his mother's side.
I grew up in NYC playing football in ethnic youth leagues. Every group had its teams. Small a community as we were, Croatian-Americans disproportionately beat the Italian, Greek, Jamaican, various Latino, and British based teams. When Croatia became free, Dinamo came and played against our semi-pro NY Croatia club.
Stipe Miocic, the winningest MMA heavyweight titles every, is Croatian-American. Remember Cro-Cop, he was also pretty good? We have many fighters. They all promote Croatia.
Again, don't get me wrong, as this could be right or wrong about natural talent. But Croatians by and large believe it. Maybe it contributes to a psychological edge, complementing the NURTURE.
I think Croatia has it right. I was there in September and last year. Football is in full bloom. You should see the pipeline. I'm very confident in the newest players: Gvardiol, Sosa, Sucic, and Majer...will take over from Modric, Lovren, and Perisic.
Bottom line if I can reduce it down to a core factor: a strong league at all levels covering all ages, possible because the greater society can make this happen.
Just saying guys. It's all my observation and opinions. Hope there is something of value here...but I will be blunt about one thing.
African nations can light up the football world if they developed their leagues. But you all already know this and what it takes.
I'm just offering my 2 cents regarding Croatia. All the best my friends...and I root for the Super Eagles to be that African team...b because I love great football.
And thanks for the football fellowship. I've been a CE for decades now!