Tommi Mischell Performing in front of a full house of Croatian soccer fans at the Craft Hall. Image by Fran Rubil
The National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation felt the World Cup fever taking over Philadelphia as hundreds of thousands of fans flocked from various parts of the United States, Croatia, Canada, and Australia for the Croatia-Ghana match on Saturday, June 27.
Vatreni managed a 2-1 victory over Ghana at Lincoln Stadium and advanced to the elimination round of 32 teams while finishing in second place in Group L. During the first round, Peter Sucic scored in the 31st minute, while Nikola Vlasic scored with a header from Luka Modric’s corner in the second half. Croatia will face Portugal in the elimination round on Thursday, July 2, in Toronto, Canada.
As the first rounds of the World Cup draw to a close and the tournament approaches the elimination stage, the City of Brotherly Love has embraced massive crowds of Croatian checkerboard jerseys and flags. Fans began arriving on the Friday before the Croatia vs. Ghana match for the largest march of Croatian fans, which caught the attention of local news outlets in Dallas and Toronto.
The celebration began at 6:45 p.m. as Croatian fans marched with the Croatian fan group Mi Hrvati from Center City, past Philadelphia City Hall, and down historic Chestnut Street toward Independence Hall. A giant checkered banner was unfurled during the march, stretching roughly 100 meters and requiring at least 100 people to carry it.
Mi Hrvati also organized a similar march at 2 p.m. on game day, carrying the giant banner from Marconi Plaza to Lincoln Stadium. Along with Croatian flags, fans also carried American flags to commemorate the semi quincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding.
During the Friday march, a World Cup celebration honoring the Croatian national soccer team took on a life of its own, with fans wearing Croatian checkerboard jerseys. The Croatian World Cup Welcome Reception at Craft Hall, hosted by the National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation, brought music, singing, dancing, and refreshments to fans from all walks of life, including ministers and officials.
Former President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović made an appearance and briefly spoke at the Craft Hall reception, along with Acting Minister of Demography Ivan Sipić and Croatian Ambassador Pjer Simunovic.
Acoustica Duo of Zvonimir Antolos and Marko Pačić. Image by Fran Rubil
FIFA Philadelphia Host City Executive Meg Kane and World Affairs Council President Lauren Swartz also made guest appearances at the reception.
FIFA Philadelphia President Meg Kane giving a speech at the Craft Hall. Image by Fran Rubil
Former Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic motivating Croatian fans at the Craft Hall. Image by Fran Rubil
Guests with advance reservations for refreshments were thoroughly entertained and invited to sing along with the Acoustica Duo of Zvonimir Antolos and Marko Pačić, a sensational Croatian American band from New York City that plays current and classic Croatian hits. Tommi Mischell, a Croatian American singer and songwriter, was the featured special guest performer and sang “Rajska Djevo, Kraljice Hrvata” (“Heavenly Virgin, Queen of the Croats”), a traditional Croatian song dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Ludin and Jay Lee, a Zagreb rap duo, also performed their anthem, “Idemo na Vrh,” or “We Are Going to the Top,” live for their supporters.
Representatives and teammates from Udruga UNUO with Former President Kitarovic (middle), 40 Under 40 winner Elle Mischel (far left), and NFCACF President Steve Rukavina (right).
At least 350 passionate Croatian fans attended the reception and joined foreign ministers, consuls, ambassadors, trainers, reporters of Croatian media, and public figures in cheering on Vatreni with Croatian soccer chants, traditional songs, and popular music from Croatia.
