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Croatia giddy as 'champions' return
Posted: Sunday July 12, 1998 10:15 PM
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After their country won the bronze medal game, Croatian fans celebrated their victory on Zagreb main square |
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) --
Dancing, singing and drinking, thousands of Croatian soccer fans toasted
their team's return Sunday in a continuation of wild celebrations that
followed their 2-1 victory over the Netherlands
to clinch the World Cup bronze. The win sent the country into
delirium Saturday. Fans covered in strips of the national
red-white-and-blue set off fireworks, took dips in prominent city fountains
and danced on hoods of cars honking their horns throughout the country's
major towns. It was the first time a debutante country had
reached such heights in the World Cup since Portugal took the bronze in
1966, and perhaps the biggest sporting success of the young nation.
Davor Suker, who scored the winning goal against the Dutch, gave his
compatriots additional reason to cheer. His goal also vaulted the Real
Madrid striker atop the tournament's list for top scorer, with six goals,
snagging the Golden Boot. Still giddy from the previous night's
festivities, thousands were on hand to greet their heroes at the capital's
airport in Zagreb Sunday. When the players mounted a stage
sporting medals around their necks and smiles stretched from ear to ear, a
wild roar swept through the crowd. Bands played triumphant
tunes, a giant screen kept spinning highlights of the World Cup and a
chanting, whistling and flag-waving mania raved on into the night, shouting
"Davor Suker!" "Croatia, Croatia," and "We are the Champions."
Croatian goalie Drazen Ladic (left) and striker Davor Suker wave their national flag after defeating the Netherlands 2-1 in the consolation game (AP) | |
The celebrations almost slipped into mayhem as emotions peaked and fans
wanted to get closer to their stars. Captain Zvonimir Boban had to appeal
to the audience to settle. Paramedics had their hands full
tending to squashed or fainted people in the crowd and even players on
stage had to help pluck out swooning fans. "Bronze has the same
shine as gold for us," said Damir Bagovic, a surgeon who joined in on the
fray with his two daughters clad in the trademark red-and-white checks.
After greeting their fans, President Franjo Tudjman received the
team, presenting them with medals of honor. "Your magnificent
success is a great boon for the country's image in the eyes of the world,"
Tudjman, an ardent soccer fan, told the team. Croatia's World
Cup exploit ranks high in the nations' sporting history, perhaps even at
the pinnacle itself. Since winning independence in 1991, the young nation
has, however, produced winners in tennis, basketball and now soccer.
"We're a small country but we've got big sporting stars," said
Kristian, an unusually tall 13 year-old fan -- with hopes to be a top
athlete someday.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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