A few hours before the start of the final match of the World Cup, we strolled through the center of Zagreb. Approaching European Square, that feeling of inner restlessness begins as the buzz, tourists, checkers, songs, and vuvuzelas can already be felt from afar. By around two o’clock in the afternoon, fans had arrived who want to watch the match in the front row at all costs. Cafés are full of checkers, songs echo from all sides, and at times it turns into a deafening cacophony. Lines form around the stalls with fan merchandise and checkered shirts, whose prices rise to 200 kuna. Only large numbers remain, flags, hats, and scarves are being purchased. Raincoat vendors are everywhere. As are hordes of foreigners, but really hordes. Look at how it looks!
The Croatian language can be heard in the fans’ songs, while from all other sides, foreigners, completely ‘checkered’, are ready to cheer for that small country that has come so far.
By around three o’clock, people are already packed into the first ten rows in front of the large screen where the biggest, historic match will be watched. The rain pours down mercilessly, and streams of beer flow. Photo reporters cannot get enough, every shot is enchanting. Such a mass of people, so much positivity awakens delight in the eyes of the observers, everyone is aware that they are witnessing something magnificent, unique. According to estimates by the Zagreb police, by 3:30 PM, around 10,000 fans had gathered in the square, and new ones keep arriving.
They came all the way from the Netherlands and here they are from head to toe in checkers, Photo: Lider
Even the ban has received a new outfit in which he will travel the whole world because there is no one who does not stop next to the most famous Croatian horse and pose, Photo: Lider
