2018 World Cup: Ecstatic Croatia fans after ousting England

Croatia is jubilant.

Just before the end of the game, a young man wearing a red and white jersey from Croatia rushed to me in the fan zone, in the center of Zagreb.

"If we win, I'll jump into this fountain," he said.

A few seconds later, as big cheers of victory filled the place, he dived, followed by dozens of others, shouting and splashing with joy.

People started fireworks and flares.

"England is coming home – and we are going to the final!" shouted a girl with red and white checks painted on her face. "We are a small country, but we can play football!"

"Nobody expected us to win," shouted Marko. "The English media scoffed at us all week, told us we had no chance, but it showed on the ground that quality reigned supreme."

"In every game, they play with 100% of their heart … it's all for us."

This is the moment of Croatia, a country of a little more than 4 million people, which has produced a team of brilliant players.

While he was drinking beer, Daniel told me that it was very important for his country.

"The Croatians are very proud: the last time we arrived in the semi-finals of a World Cup, it was just after the war and independence, in 1998. We show that we can win, it's more important for a small country. " 19659007] Another fan was more philosophical. "It's an escape for people," he said. "There are no jobs, no money, politicians get their hands in their pockets, but tonight people are happy, they forget their problems for a short time. "

The players were celebrated as national heroes.

When the team qualified for the quarter-finals, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic visited them in their locker room, spanning their equipment, to embrace several players in various undressing states.

Later she broadcast a video of her, resplendent in a football shirt, jumping with the players.

Croatia's performance in the World Cup helped to distract attention from the corruption scandal surrounding football in this country. Croatia has been regularly punished by FIFA and UEFA for unruly fans known for launching flares at matches and chanting fascist slogans.

In March, Croatian captain Luka Modric was charged with perjury.

Prosecutors claim that the Real Madrid midfielder has given false testimony during the trial of one of the most influential figures of Croatian football, the former president of Dinamo Zagreb, Zdravko Mamic, in a corruption case of several million euros. Mamic, who was sentenced to six and a half years in prison, is currently hiding in Bosnia.

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The trial for perjury of Modric will begin after the World Cup.

. Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is also the subject of an investigation but has not been charged

The more the team wins, the more fans are likely to forgive – but the problems remain.

Back at the beer tent, Daniel told me that his country should face the problems of corruption, "but not today"

"After that, we must talk about the problems but today it is more important to talk about Croatia. "

"It's amazing," shouted one of the fans. "I really can not believe it, we're in the final, it's home!"