England are not the only team searching for a World Cup omen, heralding the end of a curse and daring to believe in the lightweight side of the draw.
Croatia, too, have a feeling destiny might be with them as momentum gathers.
Dejan Lovren likens it to the mood which gripped the Liverpool camp as they moved towards the Champions League final.
Dejan Lovren likens Croatia’s mood to that which gripped the Liverpool camp last season
‘It’s not the same players and not the same tactics,’ said Lovren. ‘It is a different way of playing to Liverpool but I had this feeling from the beginning that we could achieve a lot. This feeling is still here and I believe in it. Like I did with Liverpool in the Champions League, I believe it with my teammates at Croatia, also.
‘The atmosphere between us is totally different to the previous years. In the past, I didn’t feel we believed in each other, there were always some exceptions. This time we are in peak of form and I think it’s our time.’
Croatia reached the last four of the World Cup in 1998, knocking out Romania and Germany before losing 2-1 in the semi-finals to France and two goals by Lilian Thuram.
Despite the defeat, the success helped promote the spirit and identity of the newly independent nation.
Lovren was part of the squad that made it through to the Champions League final in Kiev
‘It was a big impact,’ said Lovren, who is 29 on Thursday. ‘That moment, two or three years after the war, is something people will always remember. We are proud of that, to be able to say we were third in the world. Maybe we could have more luck if Thuram didn’t score these two goals. He never scored in his life, so I’m still shocked.
‘Everything happens for a reason and maybe it’s time for us to show the world we can do better than them.’
Croatia’s win against Denmark in Nizhny Novgorod seemed like a significant hurdle to clear. It was their first in a major tournament knock-out match since the shock of losing a dramatic quarter-final to Turkey in Euro 2008.
Croatia had gone ahead in the last minute of extra-time in Vienna only for the Turks to level with the last kick of the game and win on penalties.
Croatia’s win against Denmark in Nizhny Novgorod seemed like a significant hurdle to clear
Victory over the Danes in a shootout released a great deal of pressure. Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, who both missed penalties 10 years ago against Turkey, both scored in the shootout against Denmark.
Next up for Croatia are hosts Russia in Sochi on Saturday and the winners will face England or Sweden in a semi-final in Moscow.
‘First, respect Russia,’ said Lovren. ‘They gave everything to beat Spain and they deserved to go through. Later, we will see. I wish luck to England, and my lads there and I hope we can go through and also they can go through.
‘Everything is possible. You just need a good group of players, a bit of luck and to play well with players in form. Hopefully we can go to the final. Even a semi-final for us would be a big achievement. But I believe in this squad, that we can achieve much more.’