Canada-Croatia World Cup match brings fans together in northern Ontario
While Canada fell to Croatia on Sunday at the World Cup, the game brought out the footie fans in northern Ontario for a chance to see Canadians compete on the big stage.
The historic moment in Canadian soccer came with ear-pinching roars and cheers at Timmins’ Croatian Hall.
Croatian-Canadians and other fans came together, sharing in some tense moments between the two teams that brought everyone to the edges of their seats.
The high of Canada’s early goal kept fans hopeful, even through Croatia’s first, second and third goals. But the fourth goal at the bottom of the second half sealed the game for the crowd.
No complaints from the Croatian community, though.
“Croatia’s a much more tactical team,” said Ivan Liposcak
“They’re much stronger. Canadians are … faster, speedier. But, in the end … skills prevailed.”
Crowds watching in Sudbury looked like they almost couldn’t stand the tension, as Canada fought to keep up its momentum after taking an early 1-0 lead.
“Scored a goal in 60, 80 seconds, amazing,” one patron said.
“But, ugh, we keep getting scored on. We just keep kicking the ball up, we can’t keep possession.”
Players for local soccer teams kept their eyes glued to the screen, waiting for yet another goal from Canada that never came.
Those rooting for Croatia kept the cheers coming. But they all said it’s really about bringing communities together and sharing their love of the game.
“The passion is crazy. Everybody gets so excited when they score or even just do anything good, it’s so exciting,” one person said.
Jasmine Chenier of the Croatian Hall said the rivalry is entirely good-natured.
“I think at the end of the day, we’re just happy to celebrate two nations,” Chenier said.
“All of our families came here to Schumacher, primarily, back in the day, and I think having everyone be together and celebrate Canada and Croatia is amazing.”
Croatia continues its World Cup quest Thursday against Belgium. Canada, meanwhile, hopes to make more soccer history when faces off against Morocco, also Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.