World Cup runners-up welcomed as heroes in Croatia
Zagreb (Croatia), July 17 : Croatia's national football team rode through this capital in triumph aboard an open-top bus for more than five hours on their return from the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where they reached the final before succumbing 2-4 to France.
More than 500,000 people, according to police, filled the streets of Zagreb - population 800,000 - to welcome the squad home on Monday.
"We have realized our dream," team captain and Real Madrid standout Luka Modric said, reports Efe.
Modric, who was voted best player of the 2018 World Cup for his part in leading dark horse Croatia to the final, then led the multitude in singing a traditional patriotic song.
Another star, Ivan Rakitic, was greeted with chants of "Ivan, Ivan, Ivan."
"It's impossible to describe these feelings," the FC Barcelona midfielder said adding: "We are truly proud of having defended our colors."
Croatia, a nation of roughly 4.5 million people, became the second-smallest country to reach a World Cup final behind two-time winners Uruguay.
?? What a welcome for #WorldCup silver medallist in Zagreb. ??#BeProud #CRO #FlamingPride #Vatreni? #Family pic.twitter.com/v0HqUFc8aZ
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) July 16, 2018
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DC beat PBKS by three wickets, keep playoff hopes alive
Dharamsala (PTI): Half-centuries from skipper Axar Patel and David Miller powered Delhi Capitals to a thrilling three-wicket win over Punjab Kings and kept their slim playoff hopes alive in the Indian Premier League here on Monday.
Sent in to bat, Priyansh Arya (56 off 33) and Prabhsimran Singh (18) shared 78 runs off 41 balls for the opening wicket for PBKS.
After their departure, Shreyas Iyer (59 not out off 36 balls) and Cooper Connolly (38 off 27) took responsibility to carry the innings forward as PBKS posted 210 for five.
In reply, DC slipped to 74 for four but Axar (56) and Miller (51) resurrected the chase, while Ashutosh Sharma and Madhav Tiwari completed the task, scoring 216 for seven in 19 overs.
Mitchell Starc (2/57) and Madhav (2/40) picked up two wickets each for DC.
For PBKS, Arshdeep Singh (2/21), Ben Dwarshuis (1/51) and Marcus Stoinis (1/44) were among the wicket-takers.
Brief Scores:
Punjab Kings: 210 for 5 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 59 not out, Priyansh Arya 56; Madhav Tiawai 2/40).
Delhi Capitals: 219 for 7 in 19 overs (Axar Patel 56, David Miller 51; Arshdeep Singh 2/21)
