With 25 minutes left in the game, Bodnizar “Bobby” Ranogajec could see how the World Cup finals were going to end, and he didn’t like it one bit.
Having learned to play the game when he was a child in Croatia, the Whiting resident and former right wing for Belgium and the Chicago Fire in the 1970s said the referee gave his team a penalty where there wasn’t one. Croatia would come back to score another goal, but it wouldn’t be enough to beat France, which ultimately won 4-2.
Perhaps there was a bit of bias, but Ranogajec felt the better team lost.
“Croatia is the much better team. They don’t deserve this,” he said as he and hundreds of Eastern European soccer fans watched the finals at the R-Bar and Grill in Highland Sunday morning. “But it’s a wonderful experience to see Croatia in the finals. Too bad I couldn’t be (on the team) now.
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“We are very proud they were there. Maybe next time,” he said.
With all the quiet intensity pulsing through the bar as the game roared on, Donovan Hayes of Lynwood, Ill., knew it was better to just keep quiet. The one of maybe a handful of France fans stood out, anyway, in his navy and purple jersey amid the red-and-white checkerboards.
He and pal Justin Golich, of Chicago, had nothing but admiration for each other’s teams.
“I lived in France for three or four months studying,” Hayes said. “If it wasn’t France, who’s always a contender, I’d definitely be rooting for Croatia. They’re looking good, but France is too fast, and they just can’t capitalize.”
“And if it weren’t for Croatia, I’d be rooting for France, too. Got to respect them.” Golich said.
R-Bar co-owner Stefe Ruzich said he had to turn away fans who wanted to watch the game. He, too, was thrilled that Croatia made it to the big show.
“I’m proud to see my heritage represented. Everyone here, that’s where our ancestors are from,” he said.
For Ryan Beal of Hammond, the fact that Croatia was playing didn’t matter.
“As long as they beat France; they’re (jerks),” Beal said.
