Clinical Croatia up against hosts Russia

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The Croatians are enjoying their best World Cup since coming third at the tournament in France in 1998, and they want to keep the festivities going by beating Russia and booking a semi-final berth against either Sweden or England.

"We cannot choose our opponent, be they the hosts or somebody else. We are facing a huge game in the quarter-finals, it doesn't matter who the opponent is," coach Zlatko Dalic told reporters, adding that he does not fear the partisan home crowd.

Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev of Russia during a training session at Sochi's Park Arena reserve stadium. /VCG Photo

"Every week, our players play in front of full houses with opponent's fans howling. This shouldn't be a problem for us, and ultimately we should not be hoping to have any excuses (like that)."

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic will once again be in attendance as the interest in soccer reaches fever pitch. "The whole of our nation is euphoric; they are upbeat, there are parties goers on when Croatia play, they are out in the squares, out in the cafes. It's great that our president is going to be there tomorrow," Dalic said.

The Croats won all three games to top Group D ahead of second-placed Argentina and then edged Denmark in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Following some superb attacking displays, comparisons with the 1998 team that midfielder Ivan Rakitic remembers so well were inevitably made.

"I remember in Moehlin in Switzerland, my hometown, we were all crazy, we rooted, we wanted to show our Swiss neighbors how powerful a football nation we are," Rakitic recalled.

Croatia's coach Zlatko Dalic (R) gives instructions to midfielder Luka Modric during a training session at Adler training ground, in Sochi. /VCG Photo

"They are our heroes, they are our inspiration, they brought us to this point, and we would like to continue on their path, and hopefully we will take a step further tomorrow if we have the strength and luck to do so," Rakitic said.

That Croatian side hammered Germany 3-0 to make it to the semi-finals in France, and Dalic is looking for a similar result on Saturday.

"I think that yesterday or the day before was 20 years since that (Germany) game - history is repeating itself, it doesn't have to be 3-0, 1-0 would suffice," he said. "That was a great success for Croatia as a nation, and we are on the right track to repeat that feat."

(With input from Reuters)