Thousands of Croatian Fans to Converge on EURO 2016 in France

Croatian fans

Big demand from fans wanting to head to France to watch Croatia play at EURO 2016…

Local travel agencies say that there has been a big surge in bookings from Croatian fans heading to France for EURO 2016 in June.

“Judging by the interest and information about allocated tickets via UEFA, we estimate that for each match Croatia plays in France there will be at least 10,000 fans from Croatia there, and since a number of fans will also come from abroad, that number could be a few thousand more,” says Pavle Marković from Ban Tours, who are the official travel agency of the Croatian football federation.

The biggest demand has been for Croatia’s first match at EURO against Turkey on 12 June 2016 in Paris. Croatia will also face the Czech Republic in St. Etienne on 17 June, and Spain in Bordeaux on 21 June in group play.

The Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ) will use the tournament also to promote Croatia. The project ‘Coast of Europe’ will be part of EURO 2016 in France. Each of the 24 nations playing in the tournament will have a oppotunity to present its culture and tourist offerings from 8 June to 10 July on the bank of the Seine in Paris. Around 3 million people are expected to visit the programme.

“Croatia will have its own pavilion, around 50-square metres on the promenade from d’Orsay museum to the Eiffel tower where artistic, culinary, linguistic and tourist qualities of Croatia will be presented. There will be performances by musicians, tastings, competitions, souvenir giveaways and other events going on,” HTZ Director Ratomir Ivičić said.

Croatian fans have been renowned for turning up in large numbers at major tournament. Big numbers turned up at the last EURO 2012 in Poland and created a special atmosphere. The team will be hoping for the same come June.