Croatian heroes defeated as World Cup defeats Zagreb

In a burst of national pride and joy, Croatia rolled out a red carpet and hosted the hosting of a euphoric hero for his football team despite his defeat against France in the final of the FIFA World Cup

Red and white flags and Croatian flags invaded the streets of the capital Zagreb Monday (NZT Tuesday)

The merry and singing crowd piled up the central squares and the road where the players were pbading "

SRDJAN STEVANOVIC / GETTY IMAGES

The reception of Croatia in Zagreb was a day of National euphoria

Police said that more than 250,000 people went out into the center of Zagreb and many others along the road. The bus of the players traveled for hours, stopping often when it was blocked by the crowds.

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"What can I say Thank you Croatia, thank you Zagreb!" Captain Luka Modric, who won the Golden Ball after being voted best player of the World Cup, told the crowd after the arrival of the team midfielder Ivan Rakitic added: " There are no words to describe what we are feeling now. "

Thousands of fans, many of whom came from other parts of the country, began arriving at the center in the center. early morning and emergency medical services said that they have helped hundreds of fans who have collapsed from exhaustion. City authorities brought water tanks to downtown

MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC / AP

Fans honking by shouting "Bravo! Bravo! "Greeted the bus that was slowly leaving the airport and the inscription at the front said:" Fiery heart, the pride of Croatia! In the name of "The Fiery", the team is nicknamed home

As the bus pbaded, the fans followed on bicycle or on foot while waving, while pictures of great players appeared. in the midst of a cacophony The first Croatian team to have reached the World Cup final showed its silver medals and embraced the atmosphere in Zagreb, posting a photo on Instagram with the controversial nationalist singer Marko Perkovic Thompson, who climbed: "The King is here! The one and only! Go to Croatia!"

MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC / AP

Croatian football fans were heading to the center of Zagreb, Croatian air force fighters escorted the team carrying the Team from Russia while she was entering the espa this aerial of the country and flying over Zagreb

"Champions! Champions! "Roar as players came down from the plane On the tarmac at Zagreb airport

The country of four million inhabitants is euphoric since his team beat England for the FIFA World Cup finals, where Croatia lost to France 4-2 DARKO VOJINOVIC / AP

Croatia's fans were competing for points of view then as their football team paraded in Zagreb

Success was described as the greatest of Croatia's sporting history, boosting the nation's pride and sense of unity in the country that led a war to become independent of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

Now a member of the European Union, the Croatian economy remains weak and people are leaving the country in search of & # 39; 39, a "I can not even begin to explain what this meant for the Croatian unit," said President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic

Chris McKeen / Stuff.

The Croatian club sobered up after the final defeat of the FIFA World Cup

"I hope this … will boost the country's economic development and bring back new jobs and young people to the country."

Grabar-Kitarovic said Croatia, despite its size, has managed to make a difference "I am so proud of our football team, I am very proud of our nation," she said.

The Croatian state railway company halved ticket prices. Fans were able to travel to Zagreb, while city officials said public transport would be free Monday.

State TV urged citizens to go out and enjoy the "historic moment" of returning players. our heroes.

– AP