‘Our identity as a nation’: Croatians in the GTHA share what Tuesday’s World Cup game in Toronto means for the community

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The energy is palpable and emotions are high as the local Croatian community gears up for their national team’s first-ever FIFA World Cup match in Toronto on Tuesday.

The team, known by nicknames Vatreni (The Blazers) and Kockasti (The Checkered Ones), Croatia will be taking on Panama at 7 p.m. at Toronto Stadium.

An estimated 120,000 people of Croatian descent reside in the Golden Horseshoe Area. The community, which has a deep affinity and long-standing ties to the beautiful game, is the Balkan nation’s largest diaspora in all of North America. Its members will be out in full force on Tuesday to cheer on Croatia in the World Cup.

Late this afternoon, upwards of 10,000 fans are expected to take part in a procession to Toronto Stadium where a 100-metre long Croatian flag will be unfurled prior to the game.

• READ MORE: Thousands of Croatia supporters could be coming to Toronto and bringing a 100-metre flag with them

That activation is part of several being sponsored by the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce. The festivities got underway on Monday night with a ceremony to welcome supporters and unveil the massive flag, which was carried by fans to Dallas Stadium ahead of the country’s match against England last week. The chamber is also behind “Croatia House,” which is located at the Toronto Event Centre at 15 Saskatchewan Rd. in Exhibition Place.

‘A very emotional time’

Speaking with CP24 on Monday, board member Ivan Grbešić said Croatians are so passionate about soccer because it has helped unite a people divided by war and hardship. Many from the diaspora who struggled and worked hard to establish a new life here in Canada can also relate, he shared.

“We had to fight for our freedom so Croatians have a very strong sense of patriotism. It just means so much to us to have our team here for World Cup,” he said, adding the sport only comes next to his country’s strong Catholic faith and its love of family.

Grbešić said he wouldn’t miss attending today’s match for anything.

“For a country of 3.8 million people, that’s only been around for about 30 years, to make it to two World Cup semi-finals and a final, that’s truly incredible. I had to celebrate the success of my team” he said.

“I can’t explain to you what it means to have Croatia here for the World Cup. This is a very emotional time, especially for the older generations. This experience will be something that’s truly indescribable.”

‘Really big day of pride for our culture’

Branko Majstorovic played soccer professionally back home from 2003 to 2008. He’s also a former member of Croatia Norval Soccer Club in Halton Region and continues to coach soccer.

Majstorovic, who is now a school teacher, said thinking about the significance of his national soccer team being here to play in the World Cup almost brings him to tears and gives him goosebumps.

“To see our country’s colours and checkers on the world stage means so much to us Croatians. … People died to represent our country,” he told CP24.

“I’m getting emotional just thinking about it. … It’s going to be a really big day of pride for our culture.”

Majstorovic said while Croatia may be a young and small country, its national soccer team has the “heart of 100 million people.”

After an almost decade-long war with Yugoslavia, Croatia declared its independence on June 25, 1991. Its sovereignty was officially recognized internationally in January 1992.

“Soccer is what binds us, what represents us. … What drives us is our love for our country, our pride for our homeland,” said Majstorovic, who will be attending Tuesday’s match at Toronto Stadium with several friends and family members.

“Soccer is our identity as a nation.”

He said when he learned that Croatia was going to be playing in Toronto he, like thousands of other Croatians, had to get tickets to the match. Majstrovic said he plans to make his way downtown early in the day to “take it all in.”

“You’re going to see those checkers everywhere,” said Majstorovic, who went to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final in Moscow, Russia when Croatia took on and was defeated by France.

Majstorovic said he can’t wait to see superstar footballer Luka Modric, the team’s captain, play as this World Cup could be his last one ever. Tuesday will also be Modric’s 200^th appearance with the national team.

He said he previously met and competed against the 41-year-old central midfielder back in Croatia years ago and deeply admires his sportsmanship.

“Watching Modric play makes you love the game. He’s just so humble and kind,” Majstorovic said.

“His love for his country fuels him. He’s our king.”

‘A dream come true’

Dean Smiciklas, president of the Mississauga Croatia Soccer Club and a long-time soccer coach, said Croatia’s national soccer team is so well loved because its members all have such a big heart.

“Our players, you can tell that they really love wearing that jersey,” he said.

“When you see how much they care, it makes us fall in love with all them.”

That undying love and pride for Croatia is inspiring, especially for younger generations, said Smiciklas. It’s something his passed on to his own children just like his parents did, he said.

Modric, he added, is someone everyone can relate to as he lost his grandfather in the war and he was a refugee as a child. His experiences mirror those of many Croatians.

Smiciklas, who has tickets to Tuesday’s match against Panama and will be seeing Croatia’s national team play for the first time ever, shared that he was at a loss for words when he found out his country would be coming to Toronto to play in the World Cup.

“I never would have dreamed of this coming true in my lifetime. It’s a dream come true,” he said, adding he’s especially looking forward to seeing four members of MCSC carrying the Croatian flag onto the pitch prior to Tuesday’s match.