The third consecutive contest where there are significant ghosts for England.
Against Colombia it wasn't specific but general, i.e. losing knock-out matches and losing penalty shoot-outs.
Against Sweden it was record of 2 wins and 5 losses in 15 games stretching back to the 1960s.
And Croatia is a couple of more specific incidents, that Gary Neville own-goal bobbling over Paul Robinson's foot in Zagreb and 3-2 defeat in the return at a sodden Wembley. The slapstick nature of both those losses seemed somehow emblematic of the issues that England teams have had down the years.
Ghosts for Croatia as well, two humpings in the 2010 qualifiers- and they still have a couple (?) of players still in the team from then. Modric at least. Might not matter much, both sides are kind of on, well, very seldom explored territory shall we say.
Mrs Thistle wonders if the Russian crowd in the semi will cheer on England because Croatia beat Russia.
Given the crowd have been chanting 'Russia, Serbia, brothers forever' at Serbia games and the, erm, strong relationship those two countries share, they are not likely to be immediately sympathetic to the Croats. I didn't have the sound on for much of tonight's game, so don't know if the atmosphere was toxic. I was fearing it would be once this particular pairing emerged.
As for colours... Croatia nominally the 'home' team, but yet again facing a team with white/red home and away (or vice versa) which will mean they'll have to don black again. I think they can either allow England to wear their first choice (or all white more likely), or not, but perhaps england would prefer to stick with red, they've come through two knockout games in it after all.
England I think, which would be OK by me. Though I really like Modric, possibly my favourite player of the past decade or so and this, I 'd guess, is his last shot at an major international trophy.
And Croatia is a couple of more specific incidents, that Gary Neville own-goal bobbling over Paul Robinson's foot in Zagreb and 3-2 defeat in the return at a sodden Wembley. The slapstick nature of both those losses seemed somehow emblematic of the issues that England teams have had down the years.
Although those particular ghosts were perhaps exorcised a couple of years later in WC qualifying, when England thrashed Croatia 4-1 away (Walcott's hat-trick) and 5-1 at home.
None of the England players from either set of games are still involved, while Modrić, Rakitić and Corluka played some part in both sets (although Modrić missed the 5-1), with Mandzukić involved only in the defeats.
Though I really like Modric, possibly my favourite player of the past decade or so and this, I 'd guess, is his last shot at an major international trophy.
This. In fact, this is the only reason I'm even slightly torn on who I want to win on Wednesday.
As for colours... Croatia nominally the 'home' team, but yet again facing a team with white/red home and away (or vice versa) which will mean they'll have to don black again. I think they can either allow England to wear their first choice (or all white more likely), or not, but perhaps england would prefer to stick with red, they've come through two knockout games in it after all.
Croatia to change, England in all-white. Unsatisfactory, but once again shows that the FA are missing a trick in not having a navy and sky blue (or sky and navy blue, according to preference) third kit which would have solved this one. So many teams play in red/white that this will always happen.
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