(Photos: Walter Sudetić / Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce)

The red, white, and blue of Croatia were proudly on display at BMO Field last night, as some 800 Croatian fans gathered to celebrate the 8th Annual Croatian Heritage Night, hosted by the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Toronto FC, which was playing its last match of the season against Orlando City SC.

The event once again brought together Croatian-Canadians for an experience that celebrated and blended sport, pride, tradition and community.

(Photo: Walter Sudetić / Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce)

This year’s event carried an extra buzz thanks to the presence of Croatian national football team forward Marco Pašalić, who plays for Orlando City SC.

Though his team faced off and lost 4-2 against Toronto FC, Pašalić received a heartfelt welcome from Croatian fans, who proudly wore their red-and-white checkered Croatian national team jerseys and cheered whenever the young Croat touched the ball, and especially after he setup the second goal for his team.

Young Croatian fan looking out at Marco Pašalić during the game (Photo: Walter Sudetić / Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce)

Young Croatian fan looking out on a field of dreams (Photo: Angela Jadrić)

After the match, Pašalić, who was born in Germany to Croatian parents from Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, joined the Croatian supporters section at field level for a post-game interview as well as an autograph and photo session, turning the event into a true celebration of shared heritage.

Marco Paśalić signing autographs after the game (Photo: Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce)

He spoke about his transition from starting his career in Europe and now playing in North America, the pride he feels in playing for the Croatian national team, and the connection he feels with the diaspora community.

“My heart is bursting! It’s an incredible feeling to see so many Croatians in the stands and in attendance for this event,” Pašalić said.

Post game interview of Marco Pašalić conducted by Ivan Grbešić (Photo: Walter Sudetić / Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce)

“There are not many Croatians in Orlando, so I had to travel all the way up to Toronto to find you. You can really feel how strong the Croatian spirit is here in Toronto, especially for far from Croatia.”

Now in its eighth year, Croatian Heritage Night is the longest consecutive-running cultural partnership with Toronto FC, and it continues to bring together generations of Croatian-Canadians.

Pašalić and Ivan Grbešić (Photo: Anto Božić)

The Chamber’s collaboration with Toronto FC, and the support it receives from other local organizations including Croatia Mississauga, Croatia Norval and Hamilton Croatia, has made the event a cornerstone of the community’s cultural calendar.

(Photo: Walter Sudetić / Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce)

Before the match kicked-off, several hundred Croatians, including Croatian Ambassador, Vice Skračić, and Croatian Consul General, Ante Jović, filled the Budweiser King Patio for a lively pre-game party, featuring Croatian music presented by DJ Frankie Fean, servings of ćevapi, and memento t-shirt and TFC jersey giveaways.

L-R: Ante Jović (Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Mississauga), Vice Skračić ( Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in Ottawa RH), Wanita Kelava (Manager, Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce) and Ivan Grbešić (Executive Member of the Board, Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce) (Photo: Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce)

Some 90 Croatian youth took part in the opening on-field ceremony prior to kick-off.

(Photo: Walter Sudetić / Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce)

“Croatian Heritage Night is about more than football, it’s about pride, unity, and recognition,” said Ivan Grbešić, an executive board member of the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce. “Having a member of Croatia’s national football team here with us made the night even more meaningful, and seeing the expressions on the faces of our Croatian youth who so eagerly awaited an opportunity to come into contact with Marco Pašalić was priceless and indescribable.”

L-R: Wanita Kelava (Manager, Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce), Marco Paśalić and Ivan Grbešić (Executive Member of the Board, Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce)) at post-game event (Photo: Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce)

“A special thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate our culture and community and who contributed to making this yet another successful event”, said Wanita Kelava, Manager of the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce.

(Photo: Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce)

As the evening wrapped up, one thing was clear, whether on the field or in the stands, Croatian pride continues to shine brightly in Canada.