Messi was so scared that he cried when he maxed out his header talent at the start of the game

When the subtitles of Germany vs. Sweden were displayed on the big screen, Wang Tao's expression was very wonderful.

"Sweden!"

"The opponent of the host Germany in the round of 16 is the Nordic pirate Sweden."

"This will be a grudge match full of highlights!"

"Every time the two teams meet."

"There are very fierce confrontations and fouls."

The German representative who was responsible for the draw raised his eyebrows and was very satisfied with the result of the draw.

The two teams met in the semi-finals of the 1958 Swedish World Cup. At that time, Germany, the defending champion, lost to the Swedish team 1:3.

The penalty of that game was the reason for the grudge between the two teams.

As the host, the Swedish team received special care from the referee. The goal was judged valid even though the handball was first, and all kinds of obvious fouls in the Swedish penalty area were ignored.

After the game.

Bowens, the then head of the German Football Association, said indignantly after the game: "The German men's football team will never set foot on Swedish soil again, and will never play against the Swedish team again."

There was also a wave of public protests against Swedish culture, Swedish companies, and Swedish products in Germany.

This incident even rose to the diplomatic level between the two countries, which led to a tense relationship between the two countries in the following years.

Although the relationship between the two men's football teams has been greatly eased in these years.

But for Germany.

If they can be the host of this World Cup and eliminate Sweden in the round of 16, it may be a revenge for that year.

The Swedish representative standing at the draw table waiting for the draw results also smiled bitterly after confirming that he would play against Germany.

Let's not talk about what happened that year.

Germany is definitely one of the top three teams in terms of strength among the eight teams that qualified as the first in the group.

It's really difficult for Sweden to go further this year!

Every round of draw results are happy and sad.

.......

The draw ceremony continued.

On the sidelines, the Croatian coaching staff and players gathered on the bench.

As one match after another was determined.

Kranjcar's eyebrows wrinkled unconsciously.

"France, why hasn't it been drawn yet?"

Davro Suker also became nervous, and a bad premonition rose in his heart.

When Kovac, who was standing on the draw table, raised the ball with France written on it with a bitter face, the Croatian coaching staff was silent.

1/7 probability.

Did the Croatian men's football team really encounter it? !

Kovac returned to the bench dejectedly, and Davo Suker looked resentful.

"Damn, didn't you say you had good luck recently?"

"Who knew that others had better luck..."

"... Damn, you are unlucky!"

Su Fei, who was next to him, saw the sad expressions of the three coaching staff and scratched his head.

The worries of the Croatian coaching staff were not unreasonable.

France's hard power in this tournament is very strong!

Originally, Spain drew France, but was easily eliminated by France 1:3 in the round of 16. Then France won Brazil 1:0 and Portugal 1:0 in succession, and the final was dragged into a penalty shootout with Italy 1:1, and finally won the runner-up of this World Cup.

In other words.

Croatian men's football team is equivalent to being in the round of 16, and directly met this year's "runner-up"!

The draw results of the round of 16 are out:

Germany vs Sweden

Argentina vs Mexico

England vs Ecuador

Portugal vs Netherlands

Italy vs Brazil

Switzerland vs Ukraine

Spain vs Ghana

Croatia vs France

...........................................

In the live broadcast room of Zhuangdianertai, Wang Tao, who saw the final draw result, couldn't laugh anymore.

"To be honest."

"Croatia's luck in the round of 16 was very bad."

"Although France performed mediocrely in the group stage, don't forget that they have superstars such as Henry, Zidane, Vieira, etc."

"In terms of the overall lineup strength."

"This year's French team is no weaker than the one that won the championship in 1998!"

"Difficult."

"Really difficult."

-[Damn, what kind of luck is Croatia, it directly drew France in the round of 16? ]

-[Alas, the main reason is that the schedule is also very tight. The Croatian men's football team has no more time to adjust and start playing in a few days. ]

-[What are you afraid of? It doesn't matter who you draw. If you want to win the World Cup, those favorites will meet sooner or later! ]

-[Right! Didn't they beat Brazil in the group stage? No matter how powerful France is, can it be as powerful as Brazil? ]

-[Talking about winning the cup now, is itIsn't it too early? Let's get through France first...]

In the live broadcast room, fans supporting Croatia were talking about it, and most of them were not satisfied with the result of the draw.

Smiles never disappear, they just move to the faces of another group of people.

................................................

At this time.

The French players gathered in the hotel to watch the draw ceremony.

When they saw the round of 16 against Croatia.

There was a burst of cheers.

"It seems that we are lucky!"

"It's stable, the round of 16 is stable."

"Those reckless Croatians... there is no possibility of us losing."

"Damn group stage. Finally, everything is getting better and better."

"It seems that qualifying as the second in the group is not bad!"

Including Henry and Makelele, two French players who were "bullied" by Manchester City in the Premier League, they were very satisfied with the result of the draw.

Su Fei's individual performance against Brazil and Australia was indeed outstanding.

Croatia's overall lineup is there.

There are not many players in the top league, not to mention that there is only one quasi-first-tier star like Su Fei.

Henry hugged Makelele excitedly.

"Claude. This is the best chance God has given us to avenge that kid!"

Although Makelele did not say anything.

But his honest smile revealed that he and Henry had almost the same idea at the moment.

Head coach Raymond Domenech also smiled faintly.

The atmosphere in the French team was joyful.

As if.

The French team has defeated Croatia and successfully advanced to the quarterfinals.

................................................

On the other side.

After the draw ceremony, Kranjcar attended the postponed post-match press conference as usual.

About Croatia's 5:0 victory over Japan.

The reporters lost interest.

Instead, they asked questions about the draw results for the round of 16.

"Mr. Kranjcar, what do you think about the upcoming match against France in the round of 16?"

Kranjcar remained calm and composed under the camera.

"France is a traditional powerhouse in the World Cup."

"They have won international competitions several times, including the 1998 World Cup, and the 2001 and 2003 Confederations Cups."

"But we have an old saying in Croatia: The crown of honor is made of thorns. Since our Croatian men's football team wants to go far in this World Cup, it is inevitable to have a bumpy road."

"So."

"We will actively prepare for the game, strive to defeat France, and advance to the top 8!"

The post-match press conference is over.

Kranjcar used a meaningful speech to try to show the media the determination of the Croatian men's football team this time.

But the media reporters generally still look down on Croatia.

Evening.

An article titled "Bad luck! The biggest dark horse Croatia's World Cup journey will be ended by France" became the headline of the day.

.................................................