CROATIA ON FIRE

TEARS and cries of joy, hugs and chants, firecrackers and flares – Croatia was on fire yesterday after their victory against England set up a first ever appearance in a World Cup final.

“Croatia in World Cup finals! It is so beautiful! Miracle of all miracles in Russia!” the state-run HRT television commentator Drago Cosic shouted ecstatically.

Thousands of fans gathered at the country’s largest fan zone in Zagreb’s main square, braving intermittent rain to cheer on the “Fiery Ones” ( Vatreni) on a giant screen. Local media praised the players as heroes. “Perisic and Mandzukic heroes – Miraculous Croatia shocks England and makes it to the World Cup final for first time in history!” said the Tportal website.

“Dalic’s team played another dramatic match and with a new miraculous victory made its fans proud again!”

“Bravo! Everyone should celebrate ... Dalic’s Fiery Ones achieved the biggest success in Croatian football history!,” commented Sportske Novosti paper online

“We brought down the English! Croatia is in World Cup final! Bravo our heroes, bravo! Deep bow!,” said the Vecernji List paper online.