Croatia's time to shine

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (AP):

What better time than a World Cup in Russia for the eastern side of Europe to win one?

Five European countries have lifted the World Cup in the tournament's 88-year history, all of them from the West.

Croatia, a nation of four million on the fringe of Eastern Europe, is threatening to change the pattern in 2018.

Impressive in the group stage to win three out of three games, including a 3-0 dismantling of Lionel Messi's Argentina , the Croatians are recognised as serious title contenders.

They are also in the supposedly easier half of the knockout stage, avoiding Portugal, France, Argentina, Brazil, and Belgium until the final. That July 15 final in Moscow is a real possibility for Croatia considering the form of the team and the path ahead.

"What is gone is gone now," said coach Zlatko Dalic, who wants to ensure Croatia don't get carried away ahead of a Round-of-16 game against Denmark tomorrow. "We have to put those three (group) matches behind us, keep them in the archive somewhere. We have to focus on Denmark. This is the moment of truth."

Dalic was responding to the direct question: Can Croatia win this World Cup?

Although he avoided a direct yes, or, no answer, Croatia's response on the field has been in the affirmative.

"I think Croatia could surprise many," Denmark coach Age Hareide said. "You have seen them play these games at the beginning of the tournament. They look strong."

Asked to analyse Croatia's team in detail, Hareide just smiled and shook his head: "Very good. It's very good."

Built around the Real Madrid-Barcelona midfield of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, Croatia outscored opponents 7-1 in group play, with the only blip a 76th-minute penalty conceded against Iceland in the last group game.

Conceding that one goal "annoyed" coach Dalic.

Croatia are strong across the field, with Liverpool's Dejan Lovren at the back and Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic up front. But the 32-year-old Modric is the captain, the playmaker, and the inspiration.

"When Modric plays, he makes other people better," Dalic said. "Other people have more trust in themselves when Modric is on the pitch."

Denmark's last game, a dull 0-0 draw with France that ensured both teams progressed from their group, is a sign of things to come from the Danes.

Denmark is likely to play defensively and try to frustrate Croatia in Nizhny Novgorod.

"We have to be smart when we play Croatia. We have to have good organisation," Hareide said.

- 1930 - 1938 (Part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia)

- 1950 - 1990 (Part of Social Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)

- 1994 - (Did not enter)

- 1998 - Third-place finishers

- 2002 - (Group Stage)

- 2006 - (Group Stage)

- 2010 - (Did not qualify)

- 2014 - (Group Stage)