FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Croatian coach Miroslav Blazevic will probably be the only coach at the World Cup who will know the result before the matches have even kicked off.

The bespectacled 60-year-old chain smoker is a keen follower of astrology.And thanks to the stars he has no worries about his future in charge of a Croatian team making its first ever appearance at a World Cup finals.

“I will be coach of this team as long as I live. It is written in the stars,” he insists. So convinced is Blazevic of the powers of astrology he consulted the star gazers before his side’s final World Cup qualifiers. He says he new the results before the games began, that Croatia would beat Ukraine 2-0 in their nail-biting final match.But his success is due to more than just listening to astrologers.

Never a star as a player, Blazevic, as coach, is a great tactician with an ability to get the best out of his players. But he knows he is taking a gamble by ignoring some of Croatia’s experienced foreign-based players, instead relying on basing his team around local league players.

“Croatian players are the most gifted in Europe. They are the Brazilians of Europe,” says Blazevic. “I am convinced we are ready for something big and it will happen in France,” he adds.

However there is one worrying note for Blazevic.An astrologer has told him that he might suffer a heart attack while sitting on the bench during the World Cup. But the attack loving Blazevic will no doubt reduce the odds by watching his side play – standing up.