WILLOUGHBY, Ohio — Despite losing 3-0 to Argentina in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday, Croatians in Northeast Ohio are proud.
A nation that has four million people advanced to the semifinal round in each of the last two World Cup tournaments.
“Croatia is number one,” said Tonci Viskovic of Eastlake.
Croatian supporters marched through Willoughby Tuesday ahead of their semifinal match with Argentina, proudly waving their red and white flags while singing along to Croatian songs.
“Croatians are all about family,” said Viskovic. “We want our kids to be able to raise their kids when they have kids the Croatian culture.”
Soccer is a part of Croatian culture. The culture Viskovic hopes to instill in the minds of the youth in attendance.
“Look at all the kids that got out of school, look at all of us that are missing work or work early, we do everything to watch out Croatia,” said Viskovic.
A prayer at Wes Point Park in Willoughby didn’t help the team beat Argentina, but it did show the children how Croatians prepare for their games.
“We follow and support our team 100 percent,” said Viskovic.
Croatian fans packed into Sol by the dozens to cheer on their homeland and to be together to keep their culture strong.
“Croatia is number one for us,” said Viskovic. “I mean, what our parents went through to come here to America to give us a better life for our kids this is what it means to us in Croatia.”
Argentina will advance to the World Cup finals on Sunday to face the winner of the France vs. Morocco semifinal. The loser of that semifinal will face Croatia on Saturday morning.