Croatian papers on Tuesday bid farewell to Euro 2012 as the national side failed to qualify for the quarter-finals after defeat by Spain, but praised their "heroic" play against the defending champions.
"You Played Like Heroes!" read the front page headline of the Sportske Novosti daily after the 1-0 defeat in Gdansk, Poland, of the team affectionally called "Vatreni" or "The Fiery Ones".
"Although the Fiery Ones played bravely and combative against the world champions, it was not enough to go further," the paper commented.
"Thank You! Good Bye Ukraine!" read the Novi List daily front page headline.
"Great Sorrow and Great Pride!" echoed the influential Jutarnji List daily adding that "David did not beat Goliath as it showed photos of dejected fans in the country's red and white chequers taken across the Balkan nation.
Source: AFP
