Croatia's handball players won the bronze medal at the European Championship on Sunday.
But their reception in their homeland has overshadowed all their sporting success. The reception has even become the main political topic in the country.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeThe handball players have requested that the famous singer, Marko Perkovic - Thompson, sing at the reception in the square. Due to Thompson's stance, the handball players' request has been rejected by the city of Zagreb.
And initially it was decided that there would be no waiting at all.
But on Monday the situation changed. The Croatian government came up with the unexpected decision to organize a solemn reception in the square for the handball players. The reception will take place in the main square of Zagreb, today from 18:00. And the famous Thompson will sing, among others.
Reactions are even more numerous after the Government's decision.
Zagreb mayor Tomislav Tomašević said that the players insisted that Thompson be on the pitch.
"Since this is against the municipal assembly's decisions on the use of the Ustasa salute, which applies to everyone, including Thompson, who has already violated this decision at the concert in the Arena, we were unable to fulfill the handball players' request. After this, the team has also decided that there will be no reception in Zagreb," Tomasevic wrote before the government's decision was made.
There are now clashes between two different political blocs. And handball and success suddenly took a back seat.
The handball players returned on Monday morning. Hundreds of citizens welcomed them at the airport. And Thompson's songs were sung.
Death threats have also been reported against the mayor of Zagreb, Tomašević.
Croatian federation reacts: We want celebration, not division
Numerous developments regarding the reception of the Croatian handball players in Zagreb continue. After the city of Zagreb, which is run by the Croatian opposition, canceled the reception, the Croatian Government came up with the decision to organize a solemn reception today from 18:00 PM.
Reactions are numerous, both for and against, and recently the Croatian Handball Federation also made a statement.
"As athletes, we want this celebration in the square to be a celebration of handball and Croatian sports, namely a celebration of the great success in the European Championship. We represent Croatian citizens and we do not want any divisions and we do not want to be involved in politics in any way," the Croatian federation's statement reads.
The handball players requested that the right-wing singer Thompson appear at the reception. But the city of Zagreb rejected this and the reception was initially canceled.
Thompson has been dividing Croatian opinion for decades. The Croatian left accuses him of supporting the Ustasa. But the number of Thompson's Croatian supporters is very large. Many records have been broken at his concerts.
Thompson's pro-Croatian songs were banned at the European Championships.