Croatians celebrated Thursday after one of the country's greatest victories in international soccer.
``Great, fantastic, amazing,'' President Stipe Mesic said after Croatia beat England 2-0 on Wednesday in a European Championship qualifier.
In a separate message of congratulations, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader wrote: ``We beat a big national team. Victory against England is a colossal achievement.''
Stores in the capital flew national flags and people savoured coffees and cigarettes over newspapers praising the team's accomplishment.
``I'm not sure they are in a hurry to get back to work, but who could blame them,'' said bar owner Josip Skarica.
``A feel-good factor has swept across the country,'' columnist Tomislav Zidak wrote in the daily Jutarnji list. ``It is by far one of Croatia's biggest victories of all time _ against a country that invented the game.''
The headline in daily Vecernji said: ``England on their knees.''
England goalkeeper Paul Robinson made two mistakes _ as well as some excellent saves _ as Croatia moved into a four-way tie atop Group E with England, Israel and Macedonia.
Croatia's native Brazilian Eduardo da Silva headed over the stranded Robinson in the 61st minute. Eight minutes later, a back pass from England defender Gary Neville took an unexpected bounce and was missed by Robinson _ the ball rolling into an empty net.
The victory extended Croatia's unbeaten streak at home in qualifying matches to 30 and ended England's run of six straight shutouts.
``It's a magnificent victory against one of the world's best teams,'' Croatia coach Slaven Bilic said. ``It's just three points, but it is much, much more.
