ZAGREB, CROATIA – Gold, silver, bronze, it did not matter when Croatian handball players, like real cowboys with hats and scarves, climbed the stage in Zagreb’s Ban Jelacic Square. Thousands of people shouted: “Croatia is the world champion!”.

Because of the welcome thrown by their most loyal fans, sorrow started disappearing from the Cowboys` faces and their lips stretched into smiles, while the square resounded with their singing. The players were welcomed by ovations, which grew louder and louder and they returned the favour with champagne.

Despite snow, people from all over Croatia, as well as Diaspora, who came to watch the 2009 World Handball Championship, celebrated in the Square, as if the French did not exist, not holding a grudge because the Cowboys` medal is not the shiniest one.

- Cowboys, you are the champions in our book! – a group of fans from Vinkovci shouted, watching their players hugging each other on stage.

- We mustn`t allow the players to be sad, because the French took away the gold from us.  Nobody has done what the Cowboys achieved in world handball. They are the best, it just did not happen today, the pressure was too strong – a fan named Dejan said.

Joro Bicanic agreed with him, who said that it was not important that Croatia did not win gold, because it will be waiting for them at the European Championship next year.

Like many others, fan Barbara Duvnjak, no relation to Cowboy Domagoj Duvnjak, blames the Danish referees for the team`s defeat.

- We should have been golden. It was all the referees` fault, but I`m still pleased with silver. The atmosphere in the Square was excellent – said 20-year-old Barbara.

You can see the atmosphere in the attached photo gallery: Croatian Team Welcomed In Zagreb`s Main Square.

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