Croatian fans go for broke

The eastern town of Vittel, home to the team during the tournament, is now also playing host to scores of Croat fans, some of whom no longer have the money to pay for lodgings.

Goran, 22, a student in the United States, spent Sunday night sleeping rough in Vittel’s Central Park.

“I knew that we would get through the group stage and I hoped we would win in the second round but I never expected to reach the semi-finals,” he said while sitting next to his rucksack, breakfasting on a tin of sardines and a baguette.

“I had hoped to have a summer holiday back in Croatia but I amcompletely broke now,” he added.

Goran was part of a group of around 100 Croat fans who bought into a package deal for the three group games. Like many he has been hitchhiking and sleeping rough since the second round.

On Sunday night, around 30 Croatian fans, some of whom confessed to being penniless, gathered in a Vittel bar where they mingled with Croatian players. The players bought drinks and chatted with the supporters, a practice encouraged by the Croatian Football Federation (HNS).

“The players are very close to the fans,” says HNS spokesman Darko Tironi, “It is one of the reasons why there is such a fantastic atmosphere in our camp. They appreciate them for their enthusiasm.” This appreciation is not limited to words and a couple of beers.

“Some players have given them money which the fans use for tickets or for a room,” said Tironi.

The fans, constantly decked out in their team’s unique red and white chequered shirts, believe few supporters enjoy such close relationship with theiridols.

“Can you imagine Italian or English players coming into a bar and buying drinks for their fans and mixing with them like this ?” said one fan, who added Croatian coach Miroslav Blazevic had given him a ticket for the quarter-final.

“I am staying until the end,” says Kreso from Zagreb. “After all, that has happened I just cannot imagine us losing. I’m here until July 12.”