Croatian national coach Niko Kovac and several players offered their compassion to the people suffering from big floods that hit Slavonija, the eastern part of Croatia, and two neighboring countries, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.
After seeing houses covered with mud and water and meeting with people who were forced to leave their homes, Niko Kovac, his brother and assistant Robert and Croatian striker Ivica Olic, who has a family in Slavonija, were all visibly distressed.
"I've seen pictures and videos but you can't see the real proportions of this catastrophe on television and websites. It's hard to see whole towns and villages in ruins but what encourages me is the unity and enthusiasm to help that Croatian people show in such a difficult situations," Niko Kovac told reporters.
The whole of Croatia is already helping to those in needs collecting money and supplies mainly through Croatian Red Cross and sports icons are doing the same.
Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic was first to bring help to place where he spent his childhood and others followed.
"These people are always cheering for us when we are playing. They are always there for us. Now is the time for us to be there for them," Mandzukic said while visiting town Gunja that was completely flooded and bringing more than six tons of supplies for those who were fighting with the water.
"If we will fight on the football field in Brazil like you are fighting then we will be good," Niko Kovac said to people in help center in Cerna.
Croatian footballers agreed to donate one million kunas (170, 000 USD) to the flood victims from their prize money and Croatian Football Federation will donate all proceeds from friendly match against Mali on May 31 that will be played in Osijek, the largest city in Slavonija region.
Half of the proceeds from that match will be directed to the most devastated town Gunja and other half will be channeled through Croatian Red Cross.
In the shadow of this catastrophe came the bad news for Kovac: Dnipro defender Ivan Strinic, Kovac's first option for the left- back position, has an injured hamstring. The medical staff of Croatian national team will examine Strinic and conclude if he is able to recover in time for the World Cup.
