Good model!

I imagine a backstory: the new country Croatia had not enough money to buy up to date fighters but at huge talent in football game. When the final of the Football World Cup 2018 happened to be France vs Croatia, a secret agreement made it: the French football team won the Cup, and Croatia won free Rafale fighters! Everone's happy! No?

(PS. I am French, not a foreigner denying French talent in football)