Do you know how our footballers became 'The Fiery Ones'? The nickname was conceived by a famous Croat: 'I sat down and wrote 10 suggestions'

The iconic nickname "Vatreni" (The Fiery Ones) for the Croatian national football team, synonymous with the team's passionate performances, was created by Samobor-based writer Josip Prudeus.

Prudeus, who had extensive experience in marketing, developed the name through a deliberate process. He reportedly generated 10 suggestions and tested them among the public, finding "Vatreni" to be the most popular choice. He also officially registered the trademark and created the accompanying slogan and fan anthem, "11 Vatrenih."

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For many years I worked in marketing, I wrote 100 names, 200 slogans, and about 800 texts for promotional messages. When I was asked to invent a fan name for the Croatian national team, I sat down and wrote 10 suggestions. I tested them among people and saw that Vatreni was the most popular.

His contribution is deeply intertwined with the greatest successes of Croatian football. Prudeus lived to witness the national team's historic achievement of reaching the World Cup final in Russia in 2018, a moment that solidified the "Vatreni" moniker in the hearts of fans.

Prudeus passed away in January 2020 at the age of 78. His legacy, however, lives on through the enduring spirit of the "Vatreni," a name that continues to ignite national pride and passion during major tournaments.

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I also came up with the slogan then, wrote the fan anthem '11 Vatrenih,' and I am proud that this expression has been so well received by the public.