Exhausted players, buoyed by an ecstatic reception, continue the celebrations.
Players from Croatia's national football team have graciously agreed to greet fans at a series of public events occurring across the country over forthcoming days. Support for the team has been incredible, with over half a million people having greeted them on their journey from the airport to central Zagreb yesterday. Now, regional football fans will get the chance to also thank their heroes.
Having been in competition for one month and with less than one month to go before they must begin pre-season training for their individual clubs, there's very little holiday time remaining for these players. Nevertheless, Dalmatia, where several of the team come from, will get two significant parties.
Lovre Kalinić, Ante Rebić, Ivan Perišić, Filip Bradarić, and Ivan Strinić, who are all from Split or the surrounding area, will attend a party from 4 pm on the Riva in Split, with local singers entertaining crowds before the players arrive. Also today, local lads Luka Modrić, Šime Vrsaljko, Dominik Livaković and Danijel Subašić, will visit a party at the Forum in Zadar which starts around 9 pm.
Continental Croatia is also not yet done with the celebrations. Popular Croatian bands Prljavo Kazalište and Zaprešić Boys will play a special party from 7 pm tonight at Trg Kapuscinski in Varaždīn in honour of Croatia's coach Zlatko Dalić. Dalić spent much of his career in Varaždīn.
On Monday July 23 there will also be a welcome party for Dalić in his hometown of Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On Wednesday July 18, a party for Ivan Perišić at 7 pm in Park Hrvatskih branitelja in Omiš. There is also a special party planned for Domagoja Vida in Donji Miholjac, the defender having famously taken a town flag with him for official photos following the final. A similar special event is also planned for Mario Mandžukić in Slavonski Brod.