While French and Croatian nerves are peaking all around the world the team’s Twitter admins are still capable of some quality banter.
Monday morning’s (AEST) final will be the second time the teams have met at a World Cup with France knocking Croatia out in the 1998 semi-finals.
This match saw a legendary performance by French defender Lilian Thuram with two goals securing his team’s place in the final.
While it may have been 20 years ago, the Croatia team is still haunted by the memory of watching their one-goal lead, equalised and then overcome by Thuram’s efforts.
Two days out from the game they thought it would be best to double check that the defender wouldn’t be making a surprise return.
👋 Hey @FrenchTeam!
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) 13 July 2018
🤔 Just to make sure - Lilian Thuram is not in your #WorldCup squad this year, right?#WorldCupFinal #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/cd6CaEQFmo
The French were happy to come to the negotiation table promising to sideline Thuram if Davor Šuker, current president of the Croatian Football Federation and 1998’s Golden boot winner, would also stay off the field. However they couldn’t resist a reminder of the talent in this year’s team.
Hi there @HNS_CFF! 👋
— French Team (@FrenchTeam) 13 July 2018
If you promise not to unleash Davor Šuker on us, we'll persuade Lilian not to play! 😀
That said, LT's "replacement" also has an eye for goal... 😉#FiersdetreBleus #WorldCupFinal #FRACRO pic.twitter.com/tQWABpfXhA
The accounts finished off the exchange with the most wholesome of endings.
Yes, it was a beauty from @BenPavard28! 👍
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) 13 July 2018
That said, #CRO still has some quality solutions in attack... 😉
Looking forward to a really exciting #WorldCupFinal!#FlamingPride #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/8DMp0Jqwxb
As are we! 👍🤝
— French Team (@FrenchTeam) 13 July 2018
#FiersdetreBleus #WorldCupFinal #FRACRO
We have a feeling things won’t be quite as friendly on the pitch.
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