Location: Zagreb, Croatia
After a night of wild celebration, the city of Zagreb still lingered with an intense and feverish atmosphere.
On the streets, scattered beer cans and food debris were everywhere. Sanitation workers were already out early in the morning to begin cleanup efforts.
Yet despite the mess, their hearts were full of joy.
Because their national team had defeated the powerful Italy and written a new chapter in history.
Last night was a night of madness.
The entire country was boiling with excitement.
Households across Croatia shared the joy, their hearts filled with happiness and thrill. The final whistle had ignited a nationwide passion that burst forth uncontrollably.
To commemorate the victory, the Croatian government even declared a public holiday for the next day.
This was truly a nationwide celebration.
Aside from the workers, there were many transport trucks on the streets.
These trucks stopped at large shopping centers, streetlights, and overpasses—prominent locations.
They were putting up freshly printed posters.
There were group and individual posters.
The group posters featured the Croatian national team in a team photo or with their emblem.
But on the tallest building in Tito Square, a massive wall was covered with a personal poster of Šuker.
The giant poster took up nearly half the building, and from far away, one could see the bold letters spelling "Šuker."
At the bottom, it read in Croatian:
"Let us follow the hero of Croatia and watch the Euro Cup together!"
That's right!
Šuker is Croatia's hero.
With his two goals against Italy, Šuker had become an irreplaceable superstar in Croatia.
His influence was even beginning to surpass that of Davor Šuker.
The expectations the Croatian people placed on Šuker now exceeded those once placed on Davor Šuker.
And Šuker was steadily turning those expectations into reality. This transformation was the key to his current status in Croatia.
Early Morning – On a Bus to the Maksimir District
A boy around 14 years old was looking up at the screen inside the city bus.
The screen was looping footage of last night's goals.
When Šuker's two goals played, the young boy couldn't help but cheer softly.
This drew kind and amused smiles from the passengers around him.
"Are you a Dinamo Zagreb academy player?" the bus driver asked with a smile.
He had noticed the boy's Dinamo Zagreb youth training kit and badge—it was easy to recognize.
"Yes! My name is Mateo Kovačić!" the 14-year-old responded loudly."Please remember my name! I will follow in Šuker's footsteps and stand on the world stage fighting alongside him!"
Kovačić's youthful face was full of fighting spirit.
The bus driver and the other passengers all smiled warmly.
"What a great dream. I wish you success and hope to see you bring us wonderful matches one day," the driver said as he stopped the bus.
Kovačić reached for his money, but the driver waved him off with a smile."This ride's on me—but you owe me a goal in the future!"
Kovačić paused, then stuffed the coins back into his pocket and declared,"You got it!"
With that, he turned and stepped off the bus.
The driver and passengers watched the boy's silhouette fade into the morning light, all with smiles on their faces.
Everything has changed.
The entire football atmosphere in Croatia had completely transformed.
Previously, most youth players were uncertain about the future.
How to start a professional career, how to play well, how to plan their future—none of it was clear.
But now, everything was different.
For Croatia's youth players, they all now shared a common goal:
"Catch up to Šuker. Stand beside Šuker. Fight with him!"
As Kovačić walked into the empty training grounds under the morning glow, his silhouette was bathed in sunlight, as if glowing.
The bus driver softly murmured:"Perhaps… this is the power of a role model."
Due to the government's holiday announcement, the youth academy was technically closed.
But after last night's match—who could resist going out to play football?
Kovačić had gotten up early to head to the training ground to practice.
He was brimming with determination.
He wanted to use every moment to get stronger and close the gap with Šuker as quickly as possible.
But when he arrived, he was surprised—the training grounds were already bustling.
Not only his own U16 group, but fields for other youth levels were also packed.
Even the coaches were there, offering guidance voluntarily.
Whether it was to vent their passion...
Or simply a burst of motivation...
Regardless, the football spirit in Croatia had clearly been reignited.
"Hey! Mateo, you're late!"
A lean figure waved to him from the field.
It was Marcelo Brozović, another talented player from the same age group.
Right now, the Dinamo Zagreb youth academy was a gathering place of geniuses.
Only exceptional talents could thrive here.
Kovačić, at 14, was already playing for the U16 team—that alone showed his talent.
"Did you watch last night's game?"Brozović's eyes sparkled with excitement."It was incredible! Šuker was unbelievable!"
Just thinking about Šuker's performance gave Brozović goosebumps.
After all, it was against the legendary Italian defense.
And yet Šuker had broken through time and again, scoring two goals!
Kovačić, lacing up his boots on the ground, looked up proudly."Of course! He's my idol! I've even been his ball boy before."
Brozović's eyes filled with envy."Lucky guy!"
Soon, cheers erupted from the left field.
Both boys turned to look.
They saw a youth player, about 10 years old, celebrating a goal with arms stretched wide and head raised.
Ordinarily, it wouldn't mean much.
But it mirrored Šuker's iconic celebration after his second goal last night—regal and dominant.
Now, young players everywhere were mimicking it.
Watching the little players celebrating, Brozović suddenly asked:"What do you think it feels like to play in the Euros?"
"No idea," Kovačić shook his head."But it must be amazing."
"Absolutely!" Brozović clenched his fists."Next season, I'm heading to the B team. If I perform well, I'll make the first team."
Kovačić nodded."I'll push myself too. At most a year, and I'll be in the B team. I want to make the first team by 16!"
Brozović: "That's just the beginning."Kovačić: "The top five leagues—that's our real goal!"Brozović: "I want number 9!"Kovačić: "You're a defensive mid, why do you need 9? That's my number!"Brozović: "You're a midfielder too!"Kovačić: "Yeah, but I'm attacking—I can wear number 9!"Brozović: "I don't care. I want number 9!"
The two bickered as they headed toward the field.Though it was a public holiday, the Dinamo Zagreb youth academy was packed.
From his office window, Dinamo Zagreb first-team coach Bešić looked out over the buzzing scene and smiled.
"The kids' motivation has truly been awakened."
Jatgenić, standing beside him, nodded in satisfaction."After last night's match, who could hold themselves back?"
Bešić:"Šuker and Luka have sparked a wave. They've become role models and idols for these kids.The path they walked, the glory they created, even their future influence—it's all taking shape."
Jatgenić:"These kids need to grow fast! If not, by the time they're ready, Šuker and Luka might be past their peaks!"
"To reap the first harvest, we'll need at least six years."Bešić sighed."Let's hope their peak lasts long enough."
"This is a decade-long youth development project. And what I want... isn't just a European semifinal."
Jatgenić:"I've always wondered... since the beginning of nurturing Šuker and Luka, you've never let up. What do you really want?"
Bešić smiled and pointed to his chest.
"I want to put a star above the Croatian national team crest."
Jatgenić shuddered.
"That's... absolutely insane!"