ZAGREB, CROATIA – Some 1,000 pupils from four schools gathered in Zagreb’s King Tomislav Square to pose for photographer Sime Strikoman, who envisioned a new millennium photograph in the shape of Ivano Balic.

Although this is his 153 rd millennium photograph, this is Strikoman`s first millennium photo with an athletic theme.

- I`ve been thinking about it for a long time, but decided on this photo because the World Handball Championship is underway at the moment – Strikoman said.

Handball player Ivano Balic`s left foot was illustrated by Goran and Lovro, grammar school pupils.

- It is a pleasure for us to be in the millennium photo – Goran and Lovro agreed, who won`t be going to the semi-final match on Friday, because of expensive tickets, but they believe Croatia will beat Poland.

Passers-by watched amazed and wondered what were so many young people doing at King Tomislav`s Square, with such freezing weather, posing to a photographer who was elevated in the air with a crane.

Take a look at a thousand pupils: Pupils Pose As Ivano Balic For Millennium Photo.

In the end, let us mention that Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic showed up half an hour late, with the pupils rushing to touch him, screaming and rejoicing.