It seems to me that many people predict the success of national teams in major competitions based on the size of the country and past sporting success, rather than the current reality.
What have the Netherlands, Spain, Germany or Denmark achieved in the last 10 years in any competition? On what basis are they favorites compared to Croatia, which is the current participant in the final tournament of the League of Nations in June and the winner of two consecutive medals at the last 2 world cups in football?
When I read the sports predictions on this forum ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, some members even predicted that Croatia had no chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the competition, and they considered Belgium and Canada to be favorites in the group. We know very well how it ended, from the group, Croatia and Morocco advanced to the knockout phase of the competition.
Such sports predictions, which are not based on concrete facts and reality but on the size and popularity of some country, should not be taken seriously.
As for the story of the age of the Croatian national team, just look at this list:
- Livakovic, 28 years old, according to many statistical indicators, the best goalkeeper at the world cup in Qatar
- Stanisic, defender in Bayern, 23 years old
- Guardiol, defender in Leipzig, 21 years old, will soon become the most expensive defender in the world
- Sosa, a defender in Stuttgart, 25 years old, the German Football Association wanted him to play for the German national team
- Lovro Majer, currently one of the best young midfielders in the world, 20 years old, Rennes
- Kovacic, 28 years old, Chelsea, one of the best midfielders in the world

I could continue the list with a few more very young and promising young Croatian players. Croatia, a team with old players? Think again, but let's talk based on facts, not opinions, please.