"Let's congratulate these young men; they have made history!"
"From the group stage to the semifinals, they fought against strong opponents all the way and finally made it to the final of the 2014 Brazil World Cup!"
"What a difficult journey it has been, and we have overcome all kinds of difficulties along the way. Let's congratulate them again!"
Deeply moved, Krauchivich couldn't help but shout, "We are going to Maracanã!"
Corinthians Arena had now become Croatia's carnival.
The on-site DJ played "Croatian Rhapsody" at just the right moment, its intense rhythm, like the boisterous atmosphere, repeatedly struck the hearts of the fans and players, raising their passion step by step.
"Final! Final! Damn it! We are going to the final!"
Suker, Modrić, and others embraced, jumping excitedly.
At this moment, no one could remain calm.
They did not repeat the previous failure but broke through that restraint and continued forward.
They had once again created new history; they had officially stepped onto the World Cup final stage.
At this moment, even Suker's heart was pounding.
Countless cameras were aimed at him, taking frantic pictures.
As the best-performing player in this match, Suker once again became Croatia's key player.
His performance could no longer be described as phenomenal; he was like God on the green field, repeatedly helping Croatia overcome difficulties.
Tens of thousands of Croatian fans at the stadium were also frantically shouting Suker's name.
Suker raised his arms in response. At this moment, he was bathed in light, attracting the attention of the world and becoming the true protagonist!
"Well done!"
Van Stoyak rushed over and tackled Suker.
His face was flushed with excitement.
This was the World Cup final!
They had reached the World Cup final; for any coach, this was an exciting achievement.
Although he was not the Head Coach, as a member of the coaching staff, he also felt honored at this moment.
Bešić was relatively calmer, but his hands in his pockets were trembling slightly.
He was suppressing his excited emotions.
He kept telling himself that it was not yet time.
Although reaching the final was very exciting, their goal was not just that.
"Alright! The celebration stops here; we should go back!"
Bešić helped the players up one by one. He hugged each player tightly, giving them enough affirmation and encouragement.
That's right!
They played really well in this match.
Most of the Netherlands fans had already left; they did not want to stay in this sad place.
Their World Cup, their summer, had ended at this moment.
"The Netherlands team is starting to leave. This match has dealt them a considerable blow. Throughout the match, they were constantly suppressed in rhythm, and multiple adjustments did not have any effect!"
"The Orange Army once again fell in the World Cup semifinals, and for veterans like Van Persie, Robben, and Sneijder, whether they can participate in the next World Cup is also a question mark."
"However, I hope they don't give up. One day, they will also be able to achieve their dreams!"
After speaking, Krauchivich pressed his earpiece and continued, "Alright, the exciting moment has arrived! Let's see what Suker, who performed best in this match, wants to tell us!"
The camera turned, and Suker stood at an interview stand.
His hair was wet with sweat, and his jersey was stained with some green grass clippings, but his face was filled with a brilliant smile.
And looking at this smile, the Croatian fans also couldn't help but smile along.
"The victory of the match is certainly worth our excitement and thrill, after all, we entered the World Cup final with this victory. We did not fall in the semifinals again, which is also a breakthrough for us!"
"However, the process of the match was not easy. The Netherlands threatened us many times. Although the result is good, it also tells us that we need to make more adjustments!"
"For myself, this match also has special significance, but now is not the time to relax, after all, we still have one more match to play!"
After a brief statement, a reporter immediately asked, "Can you predict the opponent for the next match?"
"Sorry! I cannot predict!" Suker shook his head directly. "Whether it's Germany or Argentina, they both have the strength to enter the final. They are both strong, world-class teams. Which side can win depends on their form on the day of the match, so I cannot make a prediction!"
"We just need to do our adjustment work now and wait for the final to arrive!"
A British reporter asked, "Is Croatia's goal the championship?"
Upon hearing this, everyone stared at Suker.
Suker also remained silent for a moment, then smiled, "Of course!"
Previously, saying this might have been too early, even carrying the jinxing factor of 'setting a flag,' so Croatia had always avoided this question.
But now it was different. Since they had already reached the final, they had to move forward bravely!
At this moment, there was no need to hide their ambition anymore!
That's right!
They were going for the championship!
And when Suker uttered the words 'of course,' Croatia, far away in Eastern Europe, erupted in excitement.
Fans cheered loudly, jumping wildly with excitement.
When this sentence came out of Suker's mouth, its meaning was already different.
For Croatian fans, the World Cup championship was both strange and distant.
Even though they had reached the World Cup semifinals twice, they had given their all and had no stamina left.
For this reason, they believed their limit was the semifinals.
They could not be like other major football nations, possessing such a strong foundation.
But everyone has the right to dream, and for fans, the World Cup is their ultimate dream.
And at this moment, they were infinitely close to that dream.
As Croatia entered the World Cup, Suker's fame and momentum also reached their peak.
Many people were looking forward to Suker winning the World Cup and becoming the third 'King of Football' after Pelé and Maradona.
After all, Suker's resume could now fully satisfy these requirements, lacking only a World Cup championship.
And these things, under deliberate guidance and fermentation, also created waves of sound, constantly highlighting Suker's historical status.
It could be said that as long as Croatia won the World Cup championship, Suker could 'be crowned king' on the spot.
The first World Cup semifinal match had ended.
With Croatia entering the World Cup final, there were discussions about Croatia and Suker in various countries and regions.
Coupled with the World Cup craze, many youth training academies were also becoming busy.
Many young players who wanted to try out came every day. These were children with dreams, inspired by Croatia's matches, they took Suker as their goal and decided to try the path of football.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Danilovgrad.
This is a city located in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, and there is a very famous youth training academy here.
This youth training academy has been popular since 2006 and has continuously supplied players to various Leagues in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but the signboard of this youth training academy is the world-renowned superstar 'Suker'.
That's right!
This was the youth training academy from which Suker was once kicked out. Ironically, the player they once disdained had now become their star player.
A middle-aged man with graying hair stood in the center of the training field. A whistle hung around his neck, and he kept blowing it.
As the whistle sounded, young players were performing some passing and running tactical movements.
One of the players was particularly noticeable; his movements were clumsy, as if he couldn't integrate into the rhythm at all.
Either he was half a beat slow, or a bit fast, but he always couldn't keep the beat.
And with this player's clumsy movements, the furrowed brow on the forehead of this white-haired middle-aged coach also became deeper.
His thin lips were pursed, and his eagle eyes scanned around, giving off a sharp impression.
After countless mistakes, the coach finally couldn't take it anymore.
"Ben! How many times have I told you, your position is on the left, don't always crowd towards the center!"
Facing the coach's roar, the young player stopped, scratched his head, and said, "But there's an opening in the middle!"
"That's not your job. Even if there's an open space, it's for someone else to fill. You just stick to your own route!"
With that, the harsh coach blew his whistle again: "Again!"
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Under the piercing whistle, the passing and running drill continued.
Meanwhile, coaches from other youth teams gathered during a break. Watching the middle-aged coach constantly scolding the clumsy player, they couldn't help but shake their heads and say, "Has Sokovic still not given up on him?"
"He's been at the base for two years. Everyone from his batch has already moved up to other teams, but he's still here!"
"Sokovic is just too stubborn. Sometimes, you have to know when to give up!"
These young coaches shook their heads, their mouths full of ridicule.
In their opinion, with the clumsy player's performance, he basically couldn't survive in the youth training base.
He should be among the first to be eliminated.
But Sokovic was always willing to give these players more opportunities and patience, even if he eventually proved himself wrong, he would still do it.
"He's just too kind."
"Sometimes, this kindness can also hold someone back. Football is a sport that requires a lot of talent, and I don't think he understands that principle!"
Facing the ridicule of the three young coaches, one silent coach in a blue shirt suddenly spoke up: "No! He values talent more than anyone!"
Hearing this, the three young Head Coaches turned their heads.
"He values talent? Then his standards are too low!"
"I always believe that if a young player shows talent in a certain area, he has value worth cultivating! Judging his position too early is not a wise decision!"
One of the coaches raised an eyebrow; "So, you also think Ben has talent?"
"No!" He shook his head; "I'm not sure, but ultimately, we have to give them some opportunities. If we deny him just for this one point, what's the meaning of us being grassroots coaches?"
"I don't understand you guys!"
Two of the coaches rolled their eyes and left directly.
However, one coach stayed behind. He walked over to this coach and asked, "What's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly so angry?"
"I just can't stand his remarks!" He pursed his lips and continued: "Sokovic was my former youth coach."
"He was your coach?"
"That's right! I was one of the youth players from the 2002 batch, but I retired early and then went into youth coaching."
"The 2002 batch?" That coach stroked his chin: "If it was that batch… God! You were in the same batch as Suker?"
The blue-shirted coach nodded: "Strictly speaking, I was his teammate for two weeks, and then I moved up a team!"
That coach blinked and leaned closer, whispering; "So, the rumor is true? Suker was kicked out?"
The blue-shirted coach remained silent, then suddenly sighed: "At that time, Suker was less than 150 centimeters tall. As a youth coach, would you think he had a future?"
That coach grinned and shook his head.
Blue-shirted coach: "That was the situation at the time. The youth academy, based on professional judgment, dismissed him, but there are times when they misjudge."
That coach turned to look at Sokovic and said: "So, ever since that incident, Sokovic changed?"
"You could say that, after all, it was too big a blow for him!" The blue-shirted coach sighed; "In fact, Sokovic didn't really want to kick Suker out at the time. After all, Suker still had talent, but his development was a problem, so he contacted a charity youth training base in Croatia, and that youth academy was willing to arrange a physical examination for Suker."
Pausing, the blue-shirted coach sighed; "But you don't know Suker's temper. That guy couldn't stand any insult. He ran away the next day, found an amateur team, and even changed guardians!"
"Actually, Sokovic is not a harsh person, he just has a sharp tongue, can't say anything nice, and won't soften his attitude. And Suker also has a stubborn temper, these two have always been at odds!"
That coach asked, puzzled: "But why doesn't Sokovic say that he was Suker's coach? That would greatly increase his popularity and income!"
The blue-shirted coach looked up and said: "If it were you, would you do that?"
That coach fell silent. Although his expression was a bit awkward, he felt that he would do it!
"Alright, that's it!"
On the training ground, the training ended.
The clumsy player lay directly on the ground, breathing heavily.
His face was full of frustration and bitterness; he hadn't found his rhythm all day.
When Ben first entered the youth training base, he was also full of vigor. As a somewhat famous talent, he also wanted to start his football journey from here.
But after coming here and seeing even more talented players, gradually becoming someone who held others back, this gap was a bit unbearable.
If Sokovic hadn't given up on him, he probably would have given up himself.
"Twenty mistakes yesterday, fifteen mistakes today!" Sokovic's voice was still as cold.
Ben got up, lowering his head and saying; "I'm sorry, I'm too clumsy!"
"I've told you more than once, observe with your eyes, think with your brain! Don't just run wherever the ball goes; first observe, then think, and then make a judgment!" Sokovic poked Ben's head and said; "Use your clumsy brain to think about what you should do!"
With that, he continued; "I'll send you today's video. Watch it carefully and summarize it well! Tomorrow, reduce the error rate to below ten, otherwise, get out!"
Hearing this, Ben was not scared, but instead showed an embarrassed expression.
In fact, Sokovic had said such harsh words more than once.
But each time, he just said them and didn't act on them.
"Kripec and the others play too well, I'm a bit clumsy, I have to catch up slowly!" Ben said, scratching his head.
Sokovic snorted coldly; "They play well? They are the clumsiest batch I've ever coached!"
Ben said, troubled: "Coach, do you think I can move up to the next team?"
Sokovic; "As long as you train according to my arrangements, then you can move up to the next team. As for whether you can try out for a professional team, that depends on your performance."
Ben cheered himself on, saying; "I can definitely do it. The difficulties Suker faced back then were even harder than mine, but he still succeeded!"
Sokovic's cheek twitched slightly.
"Don't be like him!"
"Huh?" Ben asked, puzzled: "Why? He's my idol, and my goal!"
With that, Ben said excitedly; "Coach, you've been here so long, you must have coached Suker too, right?"
Sokovic neither admitted nor denied it.
"What kind of person is he?"
Facing Ben's curious inquiry, Sokovic said coldly; "A stubborn mule!"
"Huh?" Ben looked over in astonishment.
Sokovic suddenly sighed again; "But that guy's talent is indeed unique!"
With that, the corners of his mouth were a bit bitter.
As a youth coach, he only focused on Suker's development issues and failed to notice Suker's hidden talents.
The all-around player he is today was just a 'box killer' and 'goal poacher' during his youth training period.
In fact, Sokovic had thought that if his attitude had been a bit softer then, and he had explained things more clearly, perhaps those subsequent events wouldn't have happened.
But since it had already happened, he wouldn't shy away from it.
Just as he never mentioned that he was Suker's former youth coach, he knew that doing so would bring him great fame and attention, and his income would skyrocket.
But he believed he was not a qualified youth coach.
At least, not for Suker!
Sokovic felt some guilt towards Suker. If he had been more open-minded at the time, and not so bad-tempered, perhaps that child wouldn't have had to suffer so much.
But now, it was too late to say anything!
For this reason, even though Suker was so successful, and even though the youth training base repeatedly advised Sokovic to make this matter public, and even to actively seek reconciliation with Suker, he never did so.
Sokovic also understood Suker; that guy probably only had hatred for him.
Sokovic was unwilling to humble himself, and Suker would be even less forgiving. Them not bothering each other was already good enough!