Ever been watching a Croatia game and noticed some of their fans are wearing red and white checked water polo caps? It's a bizarre trend among their fans.
Many Croatians packed water polo caps in their suitcases before travelling to major tournaments – so, what’s the deal?
With their ear-protectors and free-hanging strings the hats don’t make for the most flattering look, even when sporting the country’s iconic red and white squares.
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The trend began eight years ago at Euro 2016. It all started when defender Vedran Corluka – today an assistant on the coaching team – sustained a deep cut against Turkey that left him bleeding profusely from the head.
The wound later reopened in a group game with Czech Republic, leaving Corluka in a tricky situation. Thankfully quick-thinking physio Nderim Redzaj had a solution: grabbing a water polo cap adorned in the national colours and strapping it around the defender.
Corluka played the rest of the game with the unique garment on and started a long-running habit. As it happens, the Croatians are pretty handy when it comes to water polo.
Their men won Olympic gold in 2012 and are ranked fifth in the world; the women have reached back-to-back European Championship quarter-finals.
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