Franjo Tuđman's historic moments recalled in Croatia

In a retrospective of Croatia’s early post‑independence era, the 1992 Barcelona Olympics are highlighted, where the Croatian basketball team reached the final against the United States Dream Team and former president Franjo Tuđman attended the match. The coverage notes Tuđman’s comment to the players, “Vi mene pozovite na finale OI, a ja ću vas u oslobođeni Knin,” and describes the excitement of Croatian fans in the arena.

Another recollection focuses on the early hours of 4 August 1995, when Operation Oluja began. At 05:00, chief of the General Staff Zvonimir Červenko pressed the red button and ordered “Generale, krenite!” Tuđman was reported to be in the command hall as planned, while U.S. officials, including CIA and DIA contacts, monitored the operation. The account details the coordination between Croatian and American officials ahead of the offensive.