In an outburst of national pride, Croatia has staged a heroes’ welcome for the country’s national football team despite losing to France in the World Cup final.
Tens of thousands of people wearing national red-and-white colours and waving Croatian flags poured into the streets in of the capital Zagreb to greet the players, many coming to the city from other parts of the country.
The joyful, singing crowd crammed the city’s central square or lined up along the route where the players passed in an open bus, greeting the fans along the way and signing autographs.
“Champions! Champions!” roared the crowds as the players came out of the plane to a red carpet placed on the tarmac at Zagreb airport.
The small country of four million people has been gripped by euphoria since its team beat England to reach its first World Cup final, where Croatia lost 4-2 to France in Moscow.
Croatia’s state railway company halved ticket prices so fans could travel to Zagreb, while city authorities in the capital said public transportation is free on Monday.
State TV has urged citizens to come out and enjoy “the historic moment” of the players’ return, while other media have described the team as “our heroes”.
