Euro 2024: Croatia hoping to avoid ignominious end for ‘golden generation’
The Hindu
Croatia's 'golden generation' faces uncertain future as they aim to revive Euro 2024 campaign against Albania and Italy.
Croatia will be aiming to get their Euro 2024 campaign back on track against Albania on June 19, with their ‘golden generation’ in danger of a disappointing farewell from the top level following a humbling loss to Spain.
Although World Cup semi-finalists in 1998, Croatia have enjoyed an unprecedented spell of success since reaching the 2018 World Cup final in Russia, where they lost to France.
Zlatko Dalic’s men are bidding to reach the knockout phase for a fifth consecutive major tournament in Germany, but there are fears this could be the end of an era.
Captain and star player Luka Modric is 38, winger Ivan Perisic is 35 and midfielders Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic, as well as forward Andrej Kramaric, are all in their 30s.
Former lynchpins of the national team, including Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic and Dejan Lovren, have already retired from international football.
The average age of the 15 players who featured in a demoralising 3-0 loss to Spain in Croatia’s opener was 28.5 years old.
But coach Dalic insists that defeat was far from a fatal blow -- after Albania in Hamburg, they face holders Italy in their last Group B clash in Leipzig on June 24.
D. Gukesh rises to fourth in FIDE rankings, surpassing Arjun Erigiasi as highest-ranked Indian chess player.
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke inducted into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame after stellar career achievements.
‘In any decision we take, we ask what is important for the fan and what does the fan expect’ Premium
Bundesliga's '50+1' rule puts fans at the center, guiding clubs like Borussia Monchengladbach towards global expansion.
IND vs ENG first T20I | The two blows could not deter Abhishek (79, 34b, 5x4, 8x6), who treated Mark Wood with disdain — hammering successive sixes over fine-leg and third-man and a straight four in the sixth over.
Rajasthan’s unseeded Faisal Qamar showed the door to Tamil Nadu’s fifth-seeded V.M. Ranjeeth and entered the men’s quarterfinal of the Naushad Mather memorial AITA National-ranking tennis tournament at the Regional Sports Centre in Kochi
Bengaluru FC squandered a 2-0 lead to lose 2-3 to Odisha FC in the Indian Super League.
Champions Trophy in Dubai, India's matches moved due to security concerns, BCCI to follow ICC uniform rules.
Ankita Raina and Sahaja Yamalapalli secure victories in the first round of the $100,000 KPB Trust Women’s Open.
High-stakes Ranji Trophy clash between Tamil Nadu and Chandigarh at Salem Cricket Foundation Ground, promising intense competition.
Young spinner J. Hemchudeshan shines in BCCI u-19 Cooch Behar Trophy with impressive wickets and economy, eyeing future success.
India aims to take traditional sports like kho kho to the world stage, including the 2036 Olympics, with government support.
Jasprit Bumrah remains No. 1 Test bowler, Ravindra Jadeja tops all-rounders in latest ICC rankings.
Liverpool secures Champions League last 16 spot, Barcelona stuns Benfica, and Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa face setbacks.
Iga Swiatek dominates Australian Open quarter-final, setting up a semi-final clash with Madison Keys.
Chennaiyin FC's solid defense holds Mohun Bagan to a goalless draw in the Indian Super League match.
Indian pairs falter in doubles at $100,000 KPB Trust Women’s Open tennis tournament in Bengaluru, while Riya Bhatia advances in singles.
PSPB men secure victory over Delhi in a nail-biting match, setting up a final showdown with RSPB.
Novak Djokovic defeats Carlos Alcaraz in Australian Open, advancing to semi-finals against Alexander Zverev.