Zagreb (AFP) – Thousands of Croatians late on Thursday celebrated with euphoria in the country’s streets and squares after their team’s 3-0 victory over Argentina powered them into the World Cup last 16.
“Croatia is in a trance!” commented the influential Jutarnji List daily paper in its online edition, showing photos of delighted fans celebrating throughout the country. Many of them were dressed in Croatia’s red and white shirts and waving the nation’s flag.
“Euphoria will certainly last until the early morning hours,” the paper added. “The magnificent victory of the ‘Fiery Ones’ is celebrated in the whole of Croatia.”
The Sportske Novosti daily noted that the “whole world concluded the same — Croatia smashed Argentina!”
On a warm summer night, several thousand people watched the match on a giant screen above an improvised stage in the Zagreb main square, singing patriotic songs and lighting flares.
“We were better the whole match and Messi was invisible,” Marijan Baric, a 19-year-old student who watched the match with his two friends, told AFP.
Fireworks could be heard in the capital after the victory.
Argentina it looks like it’s time for a makeover.
Step 1: Get rid of clueless coach. Selected Argentine league players over proven stars that are European based (they performed badly).
Step 2: Stop selecting Messi. He’s 32 and has never been even close to his abilities while wearing the Argentine jersey (it happens…some players are fabulous for their club and mediocre in the national team, remember Salvatore Schillaci (sp) of Italy? Golden Boot in the WC but average for Juve so, it goes the other way too)
Step 3: Messi made a decision after the last WC debacle to retire from the national team…should have stayed with it.
Listen to that whisper voice in the wind, Lionel. It is calling out to you. It wants you. It needs you. That voice has a name… “MLS”.
LOL.