Few kits in the game of football look more classic or timeless than the Croatia soccer jerseys. Indeed, the colorful checkered shirts worn by the Croatia national football team be they home kits or away jerseys are as striking as any uniform in all of international football.
All of this only makes it that much more surprising that the Croatian football team has only existed since the early 1990s. Indeed, when the Croatia 2014 FIFA World Cup away jersey makes its first appearance in this year's tournament in Brazil, it will be only the fourth time that the Croatian team has competed in a FIFA World Cup event. In celebration of this fact, Soccer Box has stocked up on a full array of the nation's attractive kits.
Soccer Box's selection of Croatia soccer jerseys includes everything you will need to support the team at the forthcoming World Cup. The team's jerseys include the red-and-white checkerboard look of the home kit and the solid blue away kit (with a strip of the nation's trademark red-and-white checkers down the sleeve) are made by Nike and derived, surprisingly, from recycled plastic water bottles.
In other words, these aren't just some of the best looking jerseys in soccer, but some of the most environmentally conscious as well. Head to Soccer Box today to pick up a Croatia 2014 FIFA World Cup away jersey, or to even take a look at one of the team's more unique (but no less attractive) training jerseys.
Croatia's World Cup Legacy
Prior to 1990, the Croatia national football team didn't even exist. Instead, players from the nation competed as part of the Yugoslavia team. In 1992, however, Croatia "declared independence" from the Yugoslavia team, started its own national football team, and joined both FIFA and UEFA.
By the time Croatia was recognized as a global football organization, qualification had already begun for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, leaving the team ineligible for qualification and participation.
Rather than be discouraged by the missed World Cup opportunity in 1994, Croatia set to work building up its skill and notoriety. By the time the 1998 World Cup rolled around, the Croatia national football team had morphed into a force to be reckoned with.
Croatia ended up making it all the way to the semifinals in the 1998 FIFA tournament, losing to the home team (and eventual champions), France. Still, the fact that Croatia managed to land a third place finish in its first-ever World Cup event was impressive to say the least. The Croatia team even provided the tournament with its top scorer, Davor Šuker, with six goals across the team's seven matches.
Since 1998, Croatia has managed to qualify for three of the four World Cup events (missing the mark in 2010), but has not really lived up to the promise of 1998's Cinderella story. 2002 and 2006 saw the team eliminated after the group stage, finishing in 23rd and 22nd place, respectively.
2014 FIFA World Cup Chances
So what are the odds that the Croatia 2014 FIFA World Cup away jersey becomes a banner for another Cinderella narrative at this year's World Cup? Currently, Croatia is ranked at 20 on FIFA's world standings not a bad position for a team looking to make it to the finals for the first time in history.
Indeed, the Croatia national football team seems re-energized, especially compared to the team that missed World Cup qualification four years ago. Part of the reason is a high-profile shift in the team's offices: Davor Šuker, the leader of the 1998 World Cup team and Croatia's all-time top scorer, took over as President in 2012.
It could be that Šuker's presence is all that Croatia needs to triumph in Brazil. If the team is going to advance past the group stage for the first time since 1998, though, it will need some fan inspiration. Croatia has been drawn into Group A, alongside heavy-hitting competitors Brazil, Mexico, and Cameroon.
What could be better inspiration for Croatia's players than seeing Croatia soccer jerseys in the stands at the World Cup? If you want to help the nation's chances in Brazil, show your team spirit by heading to Soccer Box today and finding the Croatia gear that best suits you.
All of this only makes it that much more surprising that the Croatian football team has only existed since the early 1990s. Indeed, when the Croatia 2014 FIFA World Cup away jersey makes its first appearance in this year's tournament in Brazil, it will be only the fourth time that the Croatian team has competed in a FIFA World Cup event. In celebration of this fact, Soccer Box has stocked up on a full array of the nation's attractive kits.
Soccer Box's selection of Croatia soccer jerseys includes everything you will need to support the team at the forthcoming World Cup. The team's jerseys include the red-and-white checkerboard look of the home kit and the solid blue away kit (with a strip of the nation's trademark red-and-white checkers down the sleeve) are made by Nike and derived, surprisingly, from recycled plastic water bottles.
In other words, these aren't just some of the best looking jerseys in soccer, but some of the most environmentally conscious as well. Head to Soccer Box today to pick up a Croatia 2014 FIFA World Cup away jersey, or to even take a look at one of the team's more unique (but no less attractive) training jerseys.
Croatia's World Cup Legacy
Prior to 1990, the Croatia national football team didn't even exist. Instead, players from the nation competed as part of the Yugoslavia team. In 1992, however, Croatia "declared independence" from the Yugoslavia team, started its own national football team, and joined both FIFA and UEFA.
By the time Croatia was recognized as a global football organization, qualification had already begun for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, leaving the team ineligible for qualification and participation.
Rather than be discouraged by the missed World Cup opportunity in 1994, Croatia set to work building up its skill and notoriety. By the time the 1998 World Cup rolled around, the Croatia national football team had morphed into a force to be reckoned with.
Croatia ended up making it all the way to the semifinals in the 1998 FIFA tournament, losing to the home team (and eventual champions), France. Still, the fact that Croatia managed to land a third place finish in its first-ever World Cup event was impressive to say the least. The Croatia team even provided the tournament with its top scorer, Davor Šuker, with six goals across the team's seven matches.
Since 1998, Croatia has managed to qualify for three of the four World Cup events (missing the mark in 2010), but has not really lived up to the promise of 1998's Cinderella story. 2002 and 2006 saw the team eliminated after the group stage, finishing in 23rd and 22nd place, respectively.
2014 FIFA World Cup Chances
So what are the odds that the Croatia 2014 FIFA World Cup away jersey becomes a banner for another Cinderella narrative at this year's World Cup? Currently, Croatia is ranked at 20 on FIFA's world standings not a bad position for a team looking to make it to the finals for the first time in history.
Indeed, the Croatia national football team seems re-energized, especially compared to the team that missed World Cup qualification four years ago. Part of the reason is a high-profile shift in the team's offices: Davor Šuker, the leader of the 1998 World Cup team and Croatia's all-time top scorer, took over as President in 2012.
It could be that Šuker's presence is all that Croatia needs to triumph in Brazil. If the team is going to advance past the group stage for the first time since 1998, though, it will need some fan inspiration. Croatia has been drawn into Group A, alongside heavy-hitting competitors Brazil, Mexico, and Cameroon.
What could be better inspiration for Croatia's players than seeing Croatia soccer jerseys in the stands at the World Cup? If you want to help the nation's chances in Brazil, show your team spirit by heading to Soccer Box today and finding the Croatia gear that best suits you.
