Basel, St. Jakob Stadium.
Croatian and Polish fans have been streaming into the stadium one after another.
They cheer and shout, supporting their national teams.
The atmosphere is much more intense compared to the first day.
Media attention on this day is also very high.
After all, this is the official debut of Croatia's ultra-premium generation on the international stage.
Following the era of Davor Šuker, Croatian football is rising again, and this time with even greater momentum.
Croatian fans call this generation the "Era that Breaks All Limits," showing just how highly they regard players like Šuker and Modrić.
Fueled by enthusiasm, tens of thousands of Croatian fans gather at St. Jakob Stadium.
Although only 20,000 tickets were allocated, this cannot dampen their passion.
"There are so many people today!"
Seeing the sea of Croatian fans around him, Poterić couldn't help but exclaim.
Last season's Euro, Croatia was eliminated in the group stage.
Back then, the excitement wasn't nearly as high.
"Have you forgotten how strong we are now?" Kredivač said proudly.
Every time he saw Croatia's roster, a happy smile appeared on his face.
In terms of raw strength and all other aspects, this was the best Croatian lineup in history.
If this roster couldn't ignite passion, then Croatian football was doomed.
"Are you Kredivač? Can I take a photo with you?"
A Croatian fan approached and asked.
"It's me! I'm the driver for Dinamo Zagreb!" Kredivač smiled happily while posing for the photo.
Kredivač has become a genuine Croatian internet celebrity.
After retirement, he started sharing his past experiences online.
Initially, he just wanted to document interesting stories, but unexpectedly he gained massive followers, stirring a wave of online popularity.
Now, Kredivač has 2 million subscribers on YouTube.
Don't underestimate this number; for Croatia, this is a huge fanbase.
On his channel, he mainly shares fun stories from his Dinamo Zagreb days.
He also commentates on matches involving Šuker, Modrić, and others, attracting many viewers with his humorous style.
He even considers switching careers to become a commentator — if his health allows.
Nearby, a chubby fan stood amidst the crowd.
He wasn't wearing the Croatian jersey, but a small red number 9 shirt with Šuker's name on it.
Strangely, the shirt was so small it seemed pasted onto his chest.
Croatian fans crowded around curiously, staring at the jersey.
None of them remembered Šuker ever wearing this shirt.
"Why are you wearing this jersey like that?"
Mlinar looked at Oripe's Mostar Wanderers jersey helplessly.
"Is there a problem? This is also Šuker's original match-worn jersey!"
Oripe proudly said, "I have a bunch of jerseys at home."
Bakić came running, surprised to see Oripe: "What are you wearing?"
Oripe loudly replied, "Šuker's match-worn jersey — never washed!"
Everyone was speechless.
Soon, the fans entered the stadium one after another.
On the south stands, Oripe and Mlinar settled in, cheering alongside the Croatian supporters.
Suddenly, Bakić pointed forward: "Look!"
Oripe and Mlinar followed his gaze.
They saw three familiar faces.
Školk, formerly of Mostar Zrinjski, now with Tuzla City.
Boame, also formerly from Mostar Zrinjski, now with Sarajevo.
Šuker Bažić, once Bosnia and Herzegovina's top talent.
Last season, both had transferred away from Mostar Zrinjski to start new careers.
kolrk joined Tuzla City.
Boame was highly regarded by Sarajevo, becoming teammates with Šuker Bažić.
Boame had grown a beard, looked stronger, and his eyes showed a sense of calm. Get full chapters from ⓝovelFire.net
"This season, you almost beat us," Boame joked.
Školk shrugged: "We're still a bit short, but next season will be better."
They exchanged smiles.
"Five years... time flies!" Školk said with feeling.
"We're still in Bosnia and Herzegovina," he said, glancing at Šuker and Modrić warming up on the field: "They're already playing in the Euro."
Školk and Boame had lost contact with Šuker and Modrić.
Though they had contact info, they never chatted.
Simply put, they were now on different levels with no common topics, so their relationships drifted.
Although Školk and Boame followed Šuker and Modrić's progress, they didn't contact them.
Watching the match, Šuker Bažić was no different.
Especially hearing the roaring calls around him, like thunder.
Croatian fans and some locals shouted Šuker's name, showing his fame and influence.
All three shared the name Šuker and had once been compared side by side.
But now, the gap was widening — almost impossible to catch up.
"Warm-up's over, the match is about to start."
At this moment, the players began walking toward the tunnel.
Their seats were right by the entrance.
The three didn't stand to greet, just quietly watching Šuker and Modrić.
Suddenly, Šuker looked up, scanned around, then locked eyes.
His face showed slight surprise.
Šterk blinked, grinned, and waved.
Šuker laughed a few times, pointed at Školk, then walked into the locker room.
Šuker smiled: "Školk and Boame are here."
"Oh?" Modrić was surprised: "They came to watch?"
Šuker nodded: "Old teammates are here — we can't embarrass ourselves!"
Dujmović kept shouting excitedly in the locker room.
When the starting lineup was announced, Dujićmovic was even more thrilled.
"Merciless Harasoooo!"
His excitement made his words a jumble.
Dujićmovic was included in the starting XI for the Euro's first round.
This was Van Stoyak's decision.
Looking at the lineup, Bilić was worried: "Dujićmovic seems a bit too restless."
Van Stoyak: "He's not here to lower the bar. With Šuker and Modrić, our baseline is solid. Tommy is here to raise the ceiling!"
"Don't forget Tommy's style!"
Bilić paused: "A wild card?"
"We need a quicker tempo. Šuker and Modrić are steady and win-focused — they won't speed things up. On top of victory, they play carefully. But I don't want careful!"
Van Stoyak said solemnly: "This is the Euro Cup. Compared to other European teams, we're rookies — players and coaches alike. So we can't follow their pace. Instead, we break the norm, stir passion and play with excitement!"
He clenched his fist fiercely.
"I don't want to miss a single match. From round one, we'll show intense battles! And of course, victory belongs to us!"
Van Stoyak's powerful words fired up Bilić's heart as well.
Winning the first round at the Euro Cup is crucial!
Many teams choose safe strategies for this, but Van Stoyak went the opposite way, exploding from the first match.
This fits his style perfectly!
Van Stoyak, the maverick coach, never bound by rules.
Van Stoyak excitedly said, "Let's make some noise!"