Croatian fans celebrate making history at the Football World Cup

Croatian football fans, clockwise from back left, Joseph Ukic, Goran Kacurov, Bono Kacurov, 10 and Vito Kacurov, 12, are celebrating their team's success in making the World Cup final. Photo / Michael Craig

New Zealand's Croatian community are celebrating making history this morning after their team took on France in their first ever Football World Cup final.

Football fan Goran Kacurov had high hopes for the team from the beginning.

Kacurov, who moved to New Zealand from Croatia 10 years ago, predicted his team would make the final when he spoke to the Herald from the Croatian Cultural Society premises on McLeod Rd in Te Atatu South after their first match against Nigeria.

"I started to catch that feeling after the first game. I started to believe really early that we could do something big."

Last night he could hardly contain his excitement and said whatever the outcome of this morning's game, the team had done the country proud.

"I don't know how to explain our feelings," he said. "All Croatians around the world, everyone is celebrating already."

Kacurov, who planned to be at the club with his wife and children for this morning's game, said his money was on Croatia to win but he would be celebrating whatever the outcome.

"We've never had this experience, to have our national team in the final," he said.

"I think our guys already did the best possible for all of us, for our little country.

"I can't explain how proud we are and how happy we are. It's just a lot of smiling faces and a lot of crying. I've never been so emotional."

The furthest the team has ever made it was the third place play-off in 1998 where they beat the Netherlands. During that tournament they lost 2-1 to France in the semifinals. France has made the finals three times.

Kacurov said there was plenty of excitement in Croatia with the whole country rooting for the team.

"They are really together - one team and one heart. Whatever happens, happens. They are already winners," he said.

He was also thrilled with the support the team had been receiving in New Zealand. The Croatian Club predicted there would be as many as 200 fans there watching this morning's match.

Kiwi football legend Ivan Vicelich was also planning to be among the crowd at the club.

There were bacon and eggs on offer but Vicelich said he wouldn't be eating until after the final whistle.

"Not many people eat while they are watching, it's when the tension starts and people are focusing on what is going on the screen."

As for the outcome? "In football anything can happen," he said.

"Whatever does happen it's amazing for Croatia to be there, it's an amazing result."

And with 3.2 billion people tuning in to watch the last world cup final, according to Fifa, it was also the best promotion the country could get, Kacurov said.