Croatians still partying across Australia
Image: SBS
Australia’s Croatian community is on cloud nine this morning after the nation earned its first ever FIFA World Cup final berth.
Croatia downed England 2-1 in extra-time, spoiling the British fairytale of #ItsComingHome.
The Croats move onwards to take on France, desperate to pull off another upset victory.
More than 1,000 fans packed into the King Tom Croatian Club in Sydney’s south-west to watch this morning’s big game, with the beers still flowing hours later.
The club’s manager Roy Estefan tells Michael McLaren the stress was palpable when England scored the first goal in the fifth minute.
But celebrations erupted when the Croatians fought back.
“As soon as they equalised and took the lead, it took the roof off the place,” Roy says.
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The celebrations are even bigger in Croatia, with Australian tourist Daniel calling in from Hvar Island to describe the locals’ jubilation.
“Everyone was out on the streets for the game and everyone has not moved. Everyone is still out on the streets,” he tells Michael.
“There are children who should have been in bed hours ago up and dancing. There have been flares going off every five minutes, it’s crazy.”
Daniel says when Croatia secured the lead in the 109th minute, “the sky was lit up like the daytime” with red smoke.
Click PLAY below for Daniel’s account