Croatia national football team (Vatreni)

Croatia have been admirably consistent performers since they returned to independence. After 50 years as part of Yugoslavia, the Croats took little time to establish themselves on football’s world stage with their distinctive red and white chequered shirts.

Almost 80 years after it had done so for the first time, the Hrvatski Nogometni Savez (Croatian Football Federation) was re-established in 1991.

With notable talent featuring Robert Prosinecki, Alen Boksic and Zvonimir Boban, they made their debut at Euro 96 in England and reached the quarter-finals.

Croatia did even better in their first World Cup two years later in France where they lost to the hosts in a controversial semi-final. They had the consolation of Davor Sukar winning the Golden Boot award with his six-goal tally.

On admission to FIFA, Croatia were ranked 125th in the world but, following the 1998 campaign, they had risen to third position.

Croatia have since qualified for four successive final tournaments – the World Cup in 2002, Euro 2004, the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008.