CROATIA’S VIDA SAYS SORRY FOR UKRAINE REMARK

MOSCOW: Croatia defender Domagoj Vida apologised after speaking out in support of Russia’s neighbour and adversary Ukraine. Spectators at Wednesday’s semi-final booed and whistled at the Croatia centreback, after a video posted online earlier in the week showed Vida, a former player with Ukrainian club side Dynamo Kiev, saying “Glory to Ukraine!”. “I know I made a mistake and I would like to apologise again to Russian people,” Vida said, speaking in Russian in a live post-match interview with the Rossiya 24 state TV channel. “That’s life. You have to learn from your mistakes,” he added. Russia’s relations with Ukraine have been fraught since Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014.

Rakitic had fever a day before England semifinal

MOSCOW : Ivan Rakitic revealed he was suffering with fever in the days leading up to Croatia’s 2-1 semi-final win. The Barcelona midfielder was key alongside

Luka Modric as the first-time finalists came from behind at half-time to win. Losing the 30-year-old would have been a big blow for Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia, but the former Sevilla and Schalke player said he would have done everything possible to play. “Last night I had a fever,” he said. “I was lying in bed finding the strength to play and it was worth it. I would play a final without a leg if necessary.” Rakitic added the hype surrounding England on social media did not go unnoticed.