Small nation, great football: Bolivian journalist praises Croatia's skill

Diego von Vacano, a Bolivian sports journalist with a long-standing connection to Argentinian football, finds Croatia's football prowess remarkable given the nation's size. "You are a small nation, yet so skilled in football. That's hard to explain. I wish you had been champions in 2018," he remarked, referencing Croatia's impressive performance in the last World Cup.

Vacano, who has covered ten World Cups and numerous other major tournaments, considers the 1990 World Cup in Italy one of his most profound experiences. "One of the most wonderful things I experienced in sports journalism was the 1990 World Cup in Italy," he said. "That's when I started reporting on football." He was particularly moved by witnessing Diego Maradona play at a high level and by the exceptional Yugoslavian team, featuring stars like Prosinečki, Stojković, and Mihajlović, who were narrowly defeated by Argentina on penalties.

Reflecting on football culture in the United States, where he is based, Vacano described it as still largely a subculture. While the 1994 World Cup spurred greater interest, soccer hasn't fully integrated into the American mainstream sports landscape. He pointed to dedicated fan communities in cities like Chicago and Washington, often driven by diaspora populations, but noted that soccer's demands for patience, tactical understanding, and continuous skill development differ from dominant U.S. sports paradigms.

Vacano's insights come from a distinguished career covering the sport. He holds a doctorate in political science from Princeton University and has reported on a wide array of international football events, including the Champions League, Copa América, and Copa Libertadores. His observations offer a global perspective on the sport's cultural impact and the unique qualities of national teams like Croatia.