Croatian football fans who are finding it hard to come
to terms with their sides traumatic defeat in the Euro 2008
quarter-final by Turkey have help at hand - a newspaper has
enrolled the services of a psychiatrist, the AFP reported on
Monday.
Daily newspaper Jutarnji List called on Mirela Vlastelica
to give some sound medical advice to their readers, who were left
shattered after Turkey leveled with the last kick of the match, in
which Croatia scored a minute from the end of extra-time to lead
the game, and then won 3-1 on
penalties.
Jutarnji List recalled that the difficult and unexpected
defeat had thrown the whole country into a depression, citing one
supporter who said the defeat had been as painful as losing someone
close to one.
Thus the paper called up Vlastelica to get her to give
some practical advice on how to deal with the loss.
"The country must look to the future," advised
Vlastelica.
"The supporters must think of September when the 2010
World Cup qualifiers begin.
"From now till then it is vital that you don’t disrupt
your daily routine, do not stop working and above all do not take
tranquilizers."
For those who have not enough strength to think about the
2010 World Cup she advises them to sympathize, which is according
to her, a process by which one can get through things.
Croatia's players and management will never
get over their penalty shootout defeat by Turkey, Slaven Bilic,
Croatia's coach, said after Friday's game.
"This is a match that not only we will not forget but that
will haunt us for the rest of our lives," Bilic
said.