Okay, so, this will be the last post directly about the recently ended World Cup in Russia. Sad to see it go, but all things come to an end, right?
I will admit to being incredibly impressed with Croatia's play throughout this tournament, including right through the elimination game rounds. Admittedly, they outplayed France for the bulk of the final on Sunday, at least in every category except one: they did not get the goals needed to have the score reflect their level of dominance. That was a good thing for France, because not only were they not down by as much as they could have and maybe should have been, but they actually were. One of their goals was questionable, because Griezmann kind of sold the referee with what appeared to be a dive. However, the handball foul inside of the box was deserved. Those two goals were pretty much the only quality shots that France had through the first 59 minutes, but obviously, they made them count.
Then, when France finally showed why they got this far, they were able to essentially seal the deal and put the championship on ice with two goals in a span of roughly six minutes. From that point on, the outcome was virtually a foregone conclusion.
But the news was not over, and not restricted to the outcome, either. Many have commented on some of what happened on the field immediately afterwards, and some have commented on what happened once Croatia returned home.
Some people thought that Croatia's president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović's behavior and her wearing a Croatian jersey to support her team was grossly inappropriate. An Iranian MP complained about having to rationalize it when the images came on television.
Nor was that the only controversy. Apparently, there is a picture of Macron and Kitarović appearing to kiss on the lips, and many feel that was a little too cozy. Also, some people both in Croatia and in other countries thought that her postgame hugs were inappropriate.
Whatever.
Meanwhile, the Croatian national team came home to a hero's welcome, but were warmly received, and seemed to accept, the congratulations from ultra-nationalist Marko Perković.
Who is Perković?
Well, he is a singer who fought in the war in Croatia, and his nickname of "Thompson" came from the kind of gun he carried with him. He has defended some Croatians who have been accused of war crimes, and has glorified a certain chapter of Croatia's past, when it was essentially a Nazi puppet state, leading some to suspect that he has very prejudiced leanings. These concerns are serious enough that he was outright banned from Switzerland.
I sympathized with the Croatian team after they lost, but this story made me lose some of that sympathy, at least for the members of the team who seemed to be enjoying their time with Perković.
Take a look at the article below:
Then, when France finally showed why they got this far, they were able to essentially seal the deal and put the championship on ice with two goals in a span of roughly six minutes. From that point on, the outcome was virtually a foregone conclusion.
But the news was not over, and not restricted to the outcome, either. Many have commented on some of what happened on the field immediately afterwards, and some have commented on what happened once Croatia returned home.
Some people thought that Croatia's president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović's behavior and her wearing a Croatian jersey to support her team was grossly inappropriate. An Iranian MP complained about having to rationalize it when the images came on television.
Nor was that the only controversy. Apparently, there is a picture of Macron and Kitarović appearing to kiss on the lips, and many feel that was a little too cozy. Also, some people both in Croatia and in other countries thought that her postgame hugs were inappropriate.
Whatever.
Meanwhile, the Croatian national team came home to a hero's welcome, but were warmly received, and seemed to accept, the congratulations from ultra-nationalist Marko Perković.
Who is Perković?
Well, he is a singer who fought in the war in Croatia, and his nickname of "Thompson" came from the kind of gun he carried with him. He has defended some Croatians who have been accused of war crimes, and has glorified a certain chapter of Croatia's past, when it was essentially a Nazi puppet state, leading some to suspect that he has very prejudiced leanings. These concerns are serious enough that he was outright banned from Switzerland.
I sympathized with the Croatian team after they lost, but this story made me lose some of that sympathy, at least for the members of the team who seemed to be enjoying their time with Perković.
Take a look at the article below:
17 Jul 18 Nationalist Singer Joins Croatia Players at Homecoming Party by Anja Vladisavljevic BIRN in Zagreb, 17 Jul 18:
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/controversial-right-wring-singer-a-special-guest-of-croatian-footballers-07-17-2018
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