By Barry Wilner, Associated Press, 07/10/98
PARIS - It's been a wonderful World Cup for Croatia, capped by Saturday night's 2-1 victory over the Netherlands for third place.
Riding a brilliant counterattack and the acrobatics of goalkeeper Drazen Ladic, the eight-year-old nation in its first world soccer championship had a memorable tournament. After upsetting the Dutch, star striker Davor Suker - the tournament's leading scorer with six goals - ran around Parc des Princes with a Croatian flag draped on his shoulders.
He and his teammates, arms locked, jumped up and down on the victory stand. They earned their moment of glory as the most successful outsider at France 98, with the best finish by a newcomer since Portugal was third in 1966.
Defending champion Brazil plays host France on Sunday for the championship. That's a game the Dutch felt they belong in. But after playing tournament favorite Brazil evenly for 120 minutes in the semifinals, they fell in a shootout. And they fizzled in the consolation match.
The Netherlands played its usual attacking style, only to be foiled throughout by Ladic's saves.
In a span of a minute late in the game, he made spectacular saves on Patrick Kluivert and Clarence Seedorf to protect the lead.
The Frenchmen in the sellout crowd booed Slaven Bilic every time he touched the ball. The Croatian defender was pushed in the face by French defender Laurent Blanc in the semifinals and Blanc was ejected. The fans blame Bilic, who added some theatrics to the push.
But Bilic played an outstanding game, seeming to enjoy the attention.
Both teams gave the fans an entertaining match. The Dutch pushed forward at every opportunity, and the Croats displayed their superb counter-attacking skills.
On both first-half goals, Croatia used quick breaks. Suker gave a perfect through pass to Robert Jarni in the 13th minute and Jarni faked a defender before finding Robert Prosinecki. His right-footed shot from 10 yards found the net.
The Netherlands tied it on a solo move by Boudewijn Zenden nine minutes later. Zenden scooted from right wing to midfield and stopped on a dime to send a left-footed bullet home off goalkeeper Ladic's hands.
Ladic made two sliding kick saves on Kluivert before Suker made it 2-1. He took a pass from playmaker Zvonimir Boban for a 20-yard shot through the legs of defender Jaap Stam and into the far corner. Totally fooled goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar sat on the grass and could only shrug as the Croats celebrated in the 36th minute.
