Famous footballers, other top sportsmen and notable dignitaries gathered at Zagreb’s Vatroslav Lisinski Hall to honour the life and achievements of legendary football coach Ćiro Blažević, who passed away earlier this month shortly before his 89th birthday.
Across the country, flags were lowered at half-mast for the Day of National Condolence. The public could also pay their respects, queuing to enter the main building at Mirogoj Cemetery, where Blažević will be laid to rest in the Alley of the Great.
The hero of Croatia’s famous run to the semi-final at the 1998 World Cup that helped put the country on the map, Blažević had long been ill. He was last seen in public just before Christmas to receive an award for his contribution to sport.