BSP-15 ‘Thank you, heroes’ – press hail Croatia squad

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‘Thank you, heroes’ – press hail Croatia squad

ZAGREB, July 16, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Croatian media on Monday hailed their
team as heroes after the small country’s historic success in reaching the
World Cup final where France beat them 4-2.

“Thank you, heroes! – You gave us everything!” read the Sportske Novosti
frontpage.

“‘Vatreni’ (the “Fiery Ones” in Croatian), you are the biggest, you are
our pride, your names will remain written in gold forever!” the newspaper
said.

It showed a photo of captain Luka Modric who was awarded the Golden Ball
for the best player at the tournament, holding a trophy, although with a sad
face after the defeat.

“Brave hearts – You made us proud,” said Jutarnji List daily.

“Croatia celebrates you, you are our gold!” echoed the Vecernji List.

It noted that for the past month coach Zlatko Dalic’s team “made Croatia
better”.

“They restored pride, pulled it out of the pessimism” reigning in the
country whose economy remains among the weakest in the European Union.

More than 100,000 red-and-white-painted Croatian fans were expected to
welcome the squad home later Monday in the capital Zagreb.

BSS/AFP/MR/ 1408 hrs