Croatia was abuzz on Tuesday with speculation over the identity of an unnamed World Cup bronze medal winner from 1998 who was auctioningthe precious memento.

Croatia's third place 20 years ago was the country's historic first success as an independent football nation, although they went one stepbetter last July by reaching the final before losing to France. "There were only 30 copies of this medal. Absolutely rare, extra fine,"says the description of the item at The Saleroom auction web portal.

Auctioneer Agon Sports World estimated the price at 7,500 euros ($8,570) and the auction is set for December 7 and 8.

"I don't believe that some of my players would put it on sale since they are all well-off," the team's 1998 coach Miroslav'Ciro' Blazevic said.

"Maybe it was stolen," the 83-year-old told the Vecernji List daily paper. "It will certainly not stay anonymous, such things arealways revealed," he added.

Contacted by AFP, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) stressed "all medals are in the private ownership of individuals who can do withthem what they deem adequate".

"Someone is in a deep trouble when they are selling the medal," Croatian team doctor Boris Nemec said, vowing he would not sell his"for anything".

To read the complete article, see:
Croatia wonders who is selling'cherished' 1998 World Cup medal(http://artdaily.com/news/109322/Croatia-wonders-who-is-selling--cherished--1998-World-Cup-medal#.W_bVK-hKiAt)