We are a small country with only four million people and have big talent in their squad - Lovren

It's been 20 years since Croatia not only burst onto the FIFA World Cup scene, but also since they advanced beyond the group stages.

And as anticipation has grown each year as to whether Croatia's squad will finally meet the expectations set in France two decades ago, they finally proved themselves ‑‑ after a historic win against England yesterday.

It's the smallest country to reach the World Cup final since Uruguay in 1950, and now, Croatia faces its biggest challenge,  will the team finally be able to win the final against France and lift the World Cup trophy for the first time ever.

Croatia's participation in Monday’s final will mark a remarkable staging post in the journey of one of its key players Dejan Lovren, who experienced life as a child refugee in the 1990s after fleeing war‑torn Bosnia.

Even before the World Cup kicked off, the Liverpool defender seemed to think if any Croatian squad can, it's this one.

Lovren told CNN that they are a small country, only four million people and have big talent in their squad.

Lovren has made a documentary for Liverpool's TV station in which he talks about his escape as a young child from war‑torn Bosnia in 1992.

He says he just remembers when the sirens went on and he was so scared because he was thinking 'bombs' or that something will happen now.

Lovren says he remembers his mum took him and they went to the basement and can’t remember how long they sat there.

His family settled in Germany, but after seven years they were told to leave and had to start life again in Croatia.

Key to Croatia reaching the final has been the inspirational performances of Real Madrid's 32‑year‑old midfielder Luka Modric, who has not only lifted the Champions League trophy four times, but is the heartbeat of this Croatian team.

Then there's Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakiti who boasts over 90 caps, as well as robust Juventus striker Mario Manduki.

It was Manduki who was the hero of yesterday’s dramatic extra‑time win ‑‑ with his vital winning goal in the 109th minute breaking hearts around England.

Croatia will face France at 3am on Monday in the FIFA World Cup final.

[Source: CNN]

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