Mad atmosphere in Zagreb tonight. The Croats lost, but they celebrate the World Cup final (almost) as if they won. The capital will make a triumph to players of the national team tomorrow noon, the return of his heroes.

"A huge pride" ; "A victory for a small country like us" ; "This final put us on the map of the world" ... Croatians know how to lose with panache. At the final whistle, far from being defeated, tens of thousands of Croatian fans flocked to the cafes of downtown Zagreb, where firecrackers, smoke, song of victories and concerts occupy the entire space.

The Croatian capital left to vibrate a good part of the year, while waiting for the return of its heroes, tomorrow morning. As in 1998, the players of the national team will march in town. They will be celebrated as heroes by the country, who has tried to forget his worries and divisions at the time of this World Cup.

Flags, horns, songs, horns of fog ... Big atmosphere in the streets of the Croatian capital. | Marc OLLIVIER

Tens of thousands of fans followed the game on the central square of the city, in the parks, at the cafe terraces ... | Marc OLLIVIER

Silent during the match (except for Croatia's goals), the Vatreni fans gave their voices at the end of the game, knowing that the games were made for them. | Marc OLLIVIER

Croatia is proud of its World Cup history. | Marc OLLIVIER

The children were the kings of the party. | Marc OLLIVIER

"Hvala! Hvala! Hvala!" ("thank you" in Croatian) shouted the fans to the attention of their national heroes. | Marc OLLIVIER

Enthusiasm and popular fervor were at the rendezvous. | Marc OLLIVIER

Red and white tidal wave on the central square of Zagreb! | Marc OLLIVIER

Chants and smokers greeted the end of the match. The party promises to last all night. | Marc OLLIVIER