VIDEO: Official anthem for Croatian football team unveiled

Official anthem for Croatian football team unveiled (Photo: Zagrebačka pivovara/HNS)

Two weeks ahead of UEFA Euro 2024, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has unveiled the new official anthem for the Croatian national football team, titled “Najbolja kad je najteže” (“Best When It’s Toughest”). 

The anthem’s video features the biggest stars of the Vatreni, starting with captain Luka Modrić.

The video, which begins and ends with scenes of head coach Zlatko Dalić, showcases current and former players proudly displaying their medals as well as the beautiful regions of Croatia they hail from. 

Stunning shots from across the country and scenes featuring Modrić, Gvardiol, Perišić, Kovačić, Mandžukić, Pašalić, Livaković, Petković, Ćorluka, Kramarić, Vida, Olić, Vrsaljko, Subašić, Asanović, and unforgettable moments in front of the Egyptian pyramids are interspersed with performances by the anthem’s artists, Tiho Orlić and Opća opasnost.

(Photo: Zagrebačka pivovara/HNS)

The unveiling of the official anthem also marked the first media appearance of HNS’s new ambassador, celebrated former national player Šime Vrsaljko, who expressed his excitement about the song and video: 

“The whole project has been a phenomenal experience. After the presentation, I knew it would be good because everything HNS represents has always been phenomenal, but I didn’t expect it to be this good. 

Congratulations to all the participants and performers; the song is pure emotion and embodies everything the Croatian national team stands for. Listening to the song and looking back on my playing days, I can say it truly motivates and creates synergy. 

(Photo: Zagrebačka pivovara/HNS)

This is exactly what we needed. I will continue to convey this emotion in my new role, just as I did when wearing my favorite jersey. Watching the training sessions, I sometimes forget I’m not part of the playing squad anymore.”

(Photo: Zagrebačka pivovara/HNS)

HNS President Marijan Kustić echoed Vrsaljko’s sentiments, thanking everyone involved in the creation of the song and video, and emphasized the importance of support and unity ahead of the upcoming challenges in Germany: 

“I’m delighted that we premiered the song today, and I thank Tiho Orlić and Opća opasnost for an excellent, beautiful song that gives you goosebumps while listening. This is a testament to the messages we promote as a federation—unity and family. 

Congratulations to everyone on a job well done, and I am sure our fans will find themselves in the song and enjoy it. The atmosphere is great, and we are all together when it comes to the national team.”

Tiho Orlić, the writer and one of the performers of the anthem, thanked everyone involved for their excellent collaboration: 

“Thank you to Opća opasnost and the guys from my band for the excellent collaboration. I truly believe we have a real, emotional fan anthem with which we will loudly support our boys in the upcoming championship. We put a lot of effort into both the song and the video, and we are satisfied with the result.

I hope the players and fans will be as well. We included both former and current Vatreni in the video, filming all over Croatia, in Cairo, and in Madrid, where we visited Luka Modrić. We started working on the project at the beginning of the year, so I am extremely happy to finally present our anthem today.”

(Photo: Zagrebačka pivovara/HNS)

Pero Galić, the lead singer of the Croatian rock band Opća opasnost, touched on the message behind the new anthem’s lyrics:

“The message of the song ‘Best When It’s Toughest’ emphasizes mutual unity, love, and the collective journey of our national team from Aljoša Asanović’s first goal in 1990 to today. We also presented a 44-page booklet with photos and a comic that accompanies the video and song, which we are very proud of. We want to further connect players and fans and highlight what we share—a passion for football. We know that football has the power to unite us all.”

(Photo: Zagrebačka pivovara/HNS)

The spectacular unveiling of the new anthem took place at the Pivana of the Zagreb Brewery, where marketing director Ana Štebih Pinjuh also expressed her excitement about the event: “We want to bring this new anthem closer to the fans, and I truly believe in our joint success. We can’t wait for the football frenzy and euphoria to begin. 

We are here today to support HNS and our national team ahead of the European Championship. Žuja has established itself as the loudest supporter of the national team, which we promote through all our activities, and it will be the same for this Euro.”

Before the Euros, the Vatreni will play two friendly matches. The first is scheduled for Monday, June 3, against North Macedonia at Rujevica, followed by a match against Portugal in Lisbon five days later. Afterward, they will head to their camp in Neuruppin, Germany. 

Check out the new fan anthem and video below.