CROATIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Croatia fans proud of their team despite getting beaten by Spain in European championship match

Record ID: 860671

  • Title: CROATIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Croatia fans proud of their team despite getting beaten by Spain in European championship match
  • Date: 19th June 2012
  • Summary: ZAGREB, CROATIA (JUNE 18, 2012) (REUTERS) (NIGHTSHOTS) VARIOUS OF FANS WATCHING MATCH ON SCREEN AT ZAGREB MAIN SQUARE
  • Embargoed: 4th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Croatia
  • City:
  • Country: Croatia
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA4WISBLRT7WMM0K76KEW1QTC9K
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  • Story Text: Thousands of supporters of the Croatian football team gathered at Zagreb's main square on Monday evening (June 18) to watch the European championship match between Croatia and Spain.
    Croatia went into the game hoping that a bit of luck and an outstanding performance against the reigning world and European champions might help them reach the quarter-finals. Depending on the outcome of the Italy-Ireland match, also played on Monday evening, a draw might have been enough for Croatia to progress from group stage, while a victory over Spain would have placed them on top of their group.
    But after an exciting match with chances on both ends, the events ended Croatia's campaign as they lost 1-0 through a late goal from Spain's substitute Jesus Navas while Italy beat Ireland 2-0.
    "I think the match was mainly very exciting. Our team held their own but it is obvious that the Spaniards are pretty good at this," Croatia fan Vjekoslav said.
    Although Spain dominated possession throughout the match, Croatia still managed to produce several goalscoring chances and kept Spaniards at bay before a goal for Spain three minutes before full time ended Croatia's hopes of going through.
    "We had more chances and if chances counted we would have finished on top," Croatia fan Barbara said.
    Although some Croatia fans said they were disappointed by several refereeing decisions, including Spain's winning goal which seemed to have been scored from an offside position, overall mood in Zagreb remained cheerful and the fans were unanimous in their praise for the team's good performances in their three matches at the tournament.
    "The way I see it, the second half was very good, everyone here would probably agree. But the first half was not what we wanted. Everyone is a bit disappointed, but there you go, what is there to say. I think we left a good impression at the tournament. We lost, maybe slightly unfairly - a penalty should have been awarded in our favour, maybe the offside was there, maybe it wasn't... There will be discussions about it later. But in any case, I don't know, I'm happy with how they played," Croatia fan Damir from Zagreb said.
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