LYON, July 5: Croatia striker Davor Suker said last night that pre-match comments by German coach Berti Vogts had upset the Croatians and spurred them on to victory.``Berti Vogts spoke at a press conference yesterday about the small size of our country and made a reference to David and Goliath,'' said Suker.
``That was unfair but I would like to thank him for those comments because they inspired us and motivated us,'' said the Real Madrid frontman, who scored the third goal in Croatia's shock 3-0 win over the current European Champions.
``Remember, it is not always the big guys who win,'' he added.The German media had also contributed to winding up the Croatians, said defender Igor Stimac.
``Their media said many bad things about our mentality and our team,'' said Stimac.
``For two years, I have been dreaming about the Germans,'' he added, referring to Croatia's defeat to Germany in the European Championship in 1996.
``It hurt much more when I heard what the German media said about us. I am gladwe have shown them now.''
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.