ZAGREB, June 8: Croatians thronged bars and cafes Saturday to celebrate their national team’s momentous 2-1 World Cup victory over three-time winners Italy.

Croatia snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with two goals in three minutes after trailing to a 55th-minute Christian Vieri goal to win in Ibaraki, Japan, Saturday.

“This victory makes all the Croatian people proud and happy,” said Ante Pasalic, a 20-year-old student from Zagreb, draped in the Croatian flag.

“I am so glad since we won despite all those who have been convinced that we will lose,” he added, rushing with a group of friends to a nearby cafe in downtown Zagreb to continue celebrations.

Croatia, who finished third at France 98, lost their opening group game 1-0 to Mexico last Monday.

Darko Magdic admitted he also did not believe Croatia would win although “deep in my heart I was hoping for it.”

Magdic, 40, watched the game on a giant screen placed at a building in the capital’s main square along with several hundred other fans.

As soon as the referee whistled fulltime, the crowd began celebrating, waving flags, throwing firecrackers and blowing whistles.

A dozen teenagers took a ritual bath to celebrate the victory in the Zagreb main square’s fountain.

They were immediately surrounded by several hundred people, many of them wearing the squad’s uniforms, chanting “Croatia, Croatia.”

The majority of Croatians watched the match at home, although many went to cafes, which have set up big screens to follow the World Cup games.—AFP