World Cup final 2018: Croatia fairytale hits close to home for Aussies like David Davutovic

CROATIA’S journey into the World Cup unknown has become a symbol for many from the old country who made their own epic epic steps into the unknown. Herald Sun football writer and Croatian-Australian David Davutovic reveals why.

IMAGINE boarding a boat aged 17 and setting off on a one-way month-long, 23,000km voyage to a mysterious country with a foreign language.

Pregnant and armed with merely a suitcase.

That was my mum, Maria Davutovic, who came to Australia along with my dad Mijo, 20, before you could Google what was in store.

What has that got to do with today’s World Cup final between Croatia and France?

For me, everything.

Croatia represents my parents’ epic 1970 journey from the former Yugoslavia and my many family members and cousins back there who are doing things tough — and that could easily have been me.

Four generations of Davutovics will be supporting Croatia on Monday morning including mum Maria (back row left), wife Sara (back row second left), brother Steve (back row third left), David Davutovic (back row centre), brother John (back row third right), grandma Josipa (centre front) and dad Mijo (bottom right). Picture: David Davutovic

I’m a proud Australian, but ignoring my Croatian ancestry ignores my parents and grandparents’ act of selflessness.

Polje Ozaljsko is a battling village, but it was home.

They left family and friends for the unknown, hoping it would provide myself and elder brothers Steve and John a better life.

My parents taught me nothing but respect for Australia, but they honoured their rich culture.

A sixth day of school didn’t excite me much, but without Croatian school on Saturday mornings I doubt I would be writing this article.

It enabled me to confidently interview Croatian players and talk with their journalists, who took me in like a son at the 2002 World Cup in Japan, which I covered for the Croatian Herald (Australia).

My first interview with Australian-born Croatian international Josip Simunic during the 2002 World Cup. Josip was always extremely generous with his time. Picture: David Davutovic

Two months later I secured a coveted cadetship at the Geelong Advertiser.

Nor would I have met my wife, Sara, who’s been a nervous wreck watching from her new Melbourne home while her mum, dad and sister watch from Croatia.

Her husband’s nerves are jangling in Russia.

Our wedding in Croatia was meticulously planned so it didn’t clash with Croatia’s Euro 2016 opener against Turkey — Luka Modric’s goal the next day ensured the recovery was festive.

Croatia will be representing the estimated 8.5 million global population, which incorporates a four million-plus diaspora.

Even from Australia, it was impossible to ignore the “Homeland War” between 1991-95.

Weekend functions and war fundraisers sandwiched daily TV and radio bulletins and phone calls, with my parents and grandma praying family members were safe.

With World Cup coach-turned-columnist Miroslav ‘Ciro’ Blazevic. Picture: David Davutovic

The national team’s journey has been followed by most from the get-go due to Croatia’s recent (1991) independence, hence an extraordinary fan attachment.

I didn’t sleep a wink ahead of Croatia’s major tournament debut at Euro ’96 (6am kick-off) against Turkey.

Super sub Goran Vlaovic’s late winner I recall as if it were yesterday.

I had watched Melbourne Knights claim a second successive NSL title a month earlier, and days before I attended my other beloved St Kilda’s infamous game against Essendon when the lights went out at Waverley Park.

Many lifelong friends and junior teammates at Chelsea Hajduk (now Dandenong City) pursued twin passions — some of whom went on to represent Australia, including Eugene Galekovic.

Following Croatian tennis players at the Australian Open was also an annual staple, especially Goran Ivanisevic.

Childhood mate Eugene Galekovic. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Tennis hero Goran Ivanisevic.

It could all get pretty confusing as a kid — Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinecki and Davor Suker (former Croatia internationals) were idols and shared space on my walls along with posters of Mark Viduka, Tony Lockett, Nicky Winmar, Dean Jones and Shane Warne.

Now it makes absolute sense.

National pride is not black and white and who are we to judge one’s individual journey without knowing the past? Multiculturalism is Australia’s backbone.

The Croatian national team connects many dots in our colourful family history.

In the semi-final win over England, my parents were at each other — mum urging Croatia to go for a killer third, dad arguing that it would ruin my 2-1 score prediction in the Herald Sun.

Two weeks earlier they were up cheering the Socceroos.

Zvonimir Boban at the World Cup.

St Kilda star Nicky Winmar. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

As a teenager, my grandma Josipa would kindly wake up at 4.30am so we could listen to radio broadcasts of my Croatian team Dinamo Zagreb’s Champions League qualifiers.

At 92, she values her sleep too much but catches Croatia’s golden run the next day on her beloved SBS and swears that the Croats are the best-looking team in Russia.

My brothers, who aren’t died-in-the-wool soccer fans, were a whisker away from booking flights to Russia.

Many mates are en route to Zagreb or Moscow after spontaneously buying tickets post England.

Please excuse us crazy (Aussie) Croats for getting swept up in the euphoria of this fairytale. As you may have seen with the players, we don’t mind celebrating.