Croatia v England: 2500 turn up to watch Croatia train in Rijeka

by croatiaweek
October 10, 2018
in Sport

Croatia train in Rijeka (HNS)

More than 2,500 fans have turned up to watch Croatia train at Rujevica stadium in Rijeka ahead of their UEFA Nations League clash with England.

Croatia held an open training session and invited fans to come and watch and they turned out in their droves to watch the world’s best player Luka Modrić and the rest of the team go through their paces.

(HNS)

(HNS)

Fans had an opportunity after the session to have photos and get the players autographs.

👏 Više od 2500 navijača ispunilo je zapadnu tribinu i pozdravilo Vatrene, uključujući i najboljeg nogometaša svijeta @lukamodric10, na otvorenom treningu na Rujevici! 🔥#BudiPonosan #Obitelj pic.twitter.com/nYVkdC2AyV

— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) October 10, 2018

Defender Dejan Lovren, who plays in the English Premier League, says England will be motivated come Friday.

“England has an extra motive, to get us back for the World Cup. It will be a tough match. England is always among the favourites in every competition. I know them well and it will not be easy at all,” Lovren said on Wednesday.

Dejan Lovren (HNS)

Croatia and England have met in six competitive games in the past with Croatia winning three and England three. They have also met in two friendlies. Croatia’s most memorable victory over the Three Lions was the 2-1 extra-time win in the 2018 World Cup semi-final.

Croatia’s record v England

April 24, 1996 – DRAW 0-0 (friendly)

August 20, 2003 – LOST 1-3 (friendly)

June 21, 2004 – LOST 4-2 (Euro 2004)

October 11, 2006 – WON 2-0 (Euro 2008 qualifying)

November 21, 2007 – WON 2-3 (Euro 2008 qualifying)

September 10, 2008 – LOST 4-1 (World Cup 2010 qualifying)

September 9, 2009 – LOST 1-5 (World Cup 2010 qualifying)

July 11, 2018 – WON 2-1 (aet) (World Cup 2018)

(HNS)

(HNS)

The match kicks off at 8:45 pm on Friday, 12 October at Rujevica stadium behind closed doors as Croatia serves its crowd ban after a swastika was found painted into the grass during the EURO 2016 qualifier in Split.