Slaven Bilic, coach of the Croatia national team, confirmed that he has not forgotten the humiliating loss to England, 0-7, in the European Nations League competitions during the last international break.
After this heavy loss, the Croatia national team presented a better performance in a match that ended with its loss to Spain with a score of 1-2, and is preparing for a new confrontation against England, Thursday, at Wembley, striving strongly to restore the pride of its country.
Bilic said in a press conference on Wednesday: “Last month’s match against England is still stuck in my mind.”
He added, in statements reported by the British News Agency: “We proved our true level against Spain, and we want to confirm that what happened in the first match against England was just a setback.”
He continued: “I told the players that the performance we presented against Spain last month is our ambition. We must perform with a high and fighting spirit, and we will see tomorrow whether we can do that.”
He stressed: “We have an opportunity at Wembley to prove that what happened in Rijeka was just a collective catastrophe.”
Croatia ranks third in the group, behind Spain and England.
Regarding this, Bilic said: “Continuing in the first level of the Nations League is an important step, and occupying third place will be an important step that will benefit us greatly in the qualifiers for the European Nations Championship (Euro 2028).”
British star Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari driver and seven-time Formula 1 world champion, sent a message after his visit to the Rafah crossing in Egypt on Tuesday, denouncing Israel’s position on obstructing the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip.
Hamilton said, in a lengthy message, which he posted on his official Instagram account on Wednesday: “The genocide committed by Israel in Gaza over the past three years is horrifying, and depriving people of freedom, security, and generosity is a great injustice.”
The British star added: “No person should be treated as if his life is less valuable than the lives of others,” noting: “I saw walls extending for miles built to trap the people of Gaza inside. It is like an open prison, and I only thought about trying to enter to provide assistance.”
He also added: “I saw trucks at the Rafah crossing loaded with food and lined up waiting to cross, but they are often denied entry or face major delays. I spoke to a truck driver at the front of the queue, and he said he had been waiting for more than 12 hours.”
He continued: “I also saw, in the nearby logistics center, the tremendous efforts made by the Egyptian Red Crescent, but at the same time I saw the prevention of entry of materials for illogical reasons, such as sleeping bags, first aid bags, medical equipment, wheelchairs, and even footballs for children.”
Lewis Hamilton stressed: “Israel must adhere to its duties after the ceasefire and allow aid trucks to enter. There is no excuse.”
The Ferrari driver concluded his message by saying: “I know that many people feel helpless and want to do something instead of just watching. I do not want us to become accustomed to the suffering of the people of Gaza, or to turn our faces away from what is happening to them.”
Hamilton previously called for peace in the region, and expressed his humanitarian positions toward the ongoing conflicts.
The British star also posted comments on social media about the children who were killed amid the Israeli air strikes in Gaza, in addition to talking about other political conflicts.
During his visit, Hamilton toured the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, then visited the logistical warehouses run by the Egyptian Red Crescent, which is responsible for facilitating the entry of aid into the Strip.
Hamilton said in Arabic: “Peace be upon you” to the relief workers at the Rafah crossing. He also shook hands with a number of workers and officials and exchanged short conversations with them.
For his part, Khaled Mujawar, Governor of North Sinai, said that Hamilton's visit aims to inform him of Egypt's efforts to send aid to Gaza.
Hamilton made his visit to the Gaza Strip after running the 400th race in his career last Sunday, competing in the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit.
Hamilton is the first black driver to participate in Formula 1 races. He began his career with the McLaren team in 2007, and became the second driver to compete in 400 races after his former teammate Fernando Alonso, who reached this milestone in 2024.
Coach Mark van Bommel said on Wednesday that Jeremy Doku's return to the Belgium squad ahead of the UEFA Nations League matches presented him with an attractive dilemma due to the abundance of options.
Doku, who suffered from a health problem during the World Cup and appeared at a declining level, missed the team’s first four matches in the group stage of the Nations League in September and October due to injury.
But the winger is ready to participate in the team's final two matches in Group A in the first level against Türkiye in Izmir on Thursday, and against Italy in Brussels on Sunday.
“I am very happy to have Jeremy back in the squad,” Van Bommel said in a press conference. Of course this makes choosing a starting lineup more difficult, but I think the five wingers are capable of playing on both sides. It's a dilemma, but a lovely one. "I can't give you an answer yet about who will participate."
The Belgium national team will miss the efforts of its all-time top scorer, Romelu Lukaku.
The coach said: “Romelu is suffering from some pain in his thigh. He was already feeling it Tuesday. “He is still able to train, but we decided by mutual agreement not to include him in the squad.”
He added: “He is an important player for us, on and off the field. He has only started in one match so far, but he has already made an important contribution when he came on as a substitute.”
“So I hope he will be ready in time for the Italy match,” Van Bommel said.
Belgium occupies third place in Group A with six points, behind leaders France with ten points, and Italy with seven points. The top two teams from each group qualify for the quarter-finals, which will be held in March.
France will play Italy in Milan on Thursday.
