Croatians Hail Returning World Cup Squad
Muhammad Rameez Published July 17, 2018 | 10:39 AM
Hundreds of thousands of Croatians took to the streets in Zagreb on Monday to greet their players as they returned home from Russia after losing the World Cup final.
Zagreb, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jul, 2018 ) :Hundreds of thousands of Croatians took to the streets in Zagreb on Monday to greet their players as they returned home from Russia after losing the World Cup final.
A crowd estimated by police at more than 550,000 people cheered the team during its parade on an open-top bus from the airport to the capital's main square.
It took five hours for the bus to get to Jelacic square as it was moving slowly through euphoric fans many waving flags, wearing the famous Croatia red and white shirt and singing popular songs.
Since the former Yugoslav republic's independence in 1991, Zagreb has only once seen a larger crowd -- for the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1994.
More than 100,000 people thronged the square to hail Vatreni (the "Fiery Ones" in Croatian) led by captain and World Cup Golden Ball winner Luka Modric.
"Hrvatska, Hrvatska!" (Croatia) the fans chanted as team coach Zlatko Dalic and the players stepped on an improvised stage in front of a giant screen under a shower of red and white confetti.
The players and the crowd sang the national anthem of the country of around four million people.
"Thank you Croatia! Thank you Zagreb! We have achieved our dream!" Modric told the euphoric crowd.
Popular Croatian singer Marko Perkovic Thompson, known for his pro-Nazi sympathies, boarded the bus and also sang a song on the stage with the players and the crowd.
In the past Perkovic, whose repertoire is dominated by patriotic songs, has been banned from giving concerts in several European countries because of his sympathies for Croatia's notorious World War II pro-Nazi Ustasha regime.
At his concerts, Ustasha symbols are often brandished while some fans use the Nazi salute.
During the parade Dalic and the players signed flags and jerseys handed to them by cheering fans walking next to the bus.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
German Consul General Dr. Rudiger Luts visits UoB
IHC issues notices to respondents in campaign against judges cases
Amazonian chief at UN to combat traditional knowledge piracy
Farewell ceremony for outgoing SP Saddar
2 officials of SFA arrested for extorting bribe
NCHR creates awareness of Human Rights through movies, short documentaries
Azma says no justification for demand to shift PTI chairman, wife to KP
Food Department rebuttal news of procuring wheat from blue-eyed middlemen
Nearly 450,000 Gazans now uprooted from Rafah amid relentless Israeli bombardmen ..
RCCI to host 16th All Pakistan Chambers Presidents’ Conference
DLE, CCP sign MoU for raising awareness among law students, lawyers
Finance minister meets PBC delegation
More Stories From Sports
-
Tennis: Rome Open results
5 hours ago -
Tennis: Rome Open results - 1st update
5 hours ago -
Female students of over 30 countries participate IIUI Spring Gala
5 hours ago -
Tabilo follows Djokovic shock by reaching Rome Open quarter-finals
5 hours ago -
Swiatek cruises into Rome last four, Tabilo fairytale continues
5 hours ago -
Saudi Arabia Football Federation delegation visits Islamabad ahead of FIFA qualifiers
6 hours ago
-
Independence Cup Tenpin Bowling C'ship in August
7 hours ago -
Pakistan opt to bowl first against Ireland in third T20I match today
7 hours ago -
Pakistan High Commissioner to UK hosts luncheon to Women cricket team
8 hours ago -
No.1 Scheffler, a new dad, hits Valhalla for PGA Championship
8 hours ago -
PTF selects two more players for Davis Cup tie against Barbados
8 hours ago -
Physical Education department wins Departmental Cricket League 2024 at IUB
9 hours ago