The centre of Moscow was flooded with Croatia fans wearing red and white checkered jerseys ahead of a World Cup final match against France at Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
An estimated 10,000 supporters arrived in Moscow to root for Croatia in the semi-final against England on Wednesday, and twice as many are expected in the Russian capital for the final game.
Cafes and restaurants in the Red Square, Nikolskaya Street and other parts of the city centre were packed with Croatian fans, some of whom displayed large red-white-and-blue flags.
An opinion poll conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) among 1,600 people shows that 35 percent of Russians will support Croatia whereas 31 percent will cheer for France, and most of them predict that France will be the winner.
Croatia’s President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic arrived in Moscow on Sunday and before the match she met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Several Croatian government ministers and other senior officials also travelled to Russia to root for the “Fiery Ones”, while Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic is expected to join the crowd in Zagreb’s main square during the match.
All Croatian officials have already extended congratulations to the team coached by Zlatko Dalic for their stunning victories during the 34-day-long tournament and the historic success they have achieved.
Croatia is aiming to win its first major international trophy today. With a population of slightly above four million, Croatia is the second smallest country to have reached a World Cup final, after Uruguay, with an estimated population of 1.7 million, won the competition in 1930.
At 20th place in FIFA’s world rankings, the Croatians are the lowest-ranked team to reach a World Cup final, and the 13th nation to do so. The journey the Croatians have passed to reach the final include the victories of all three games in their Group D:
Group results:
Croatia- Nigeria 2-0
Croatia – Argentina 3-0
Croatia – Iceland 2-1
Knock-out stage
Croatia beat Denmark in the Round of 16 and Russia in the quarter-final before defeating England in the semi-final.
Croatia – Denmark 1-1 (3-2 victory secured on penalties)
Croatia – Russia 2-2 (4-3 victory secured on penalties)
Croatia – England 2-1
Thousands of revellers are expected in Trg Bana Josipa Jelacica Square on Monday afternoon to welcome their heroes: Danijel Subasic, Lovre Kalinic, Dominik Livakovic, Vedran Corluka, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic, Dejan Lovren, Sime Vrsaljko, Josip Pivaric, Tin Jedvaj, Duje Caleta-Car, Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozovic, Filip Bradaric, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Marko Pjaca and Ante Rebic.
The performance of the Croatian football team was also hailed by Croatian expat communities worldwide. Members of the Croatian diaspora organised fan zones during matches.
