MOSCOW: (DNA) – Croatians were gearing up Saturday for the “match of a generation” against hosts Russia in the World Cup quarter-finals as tens of thousands prepared to watch the game on giant screens.

An estimated 10,000 fans will support captain Luka Modric’s side in Zagreb’s main square, where the World Cup matches are watched on a giant screen.

Thousands of others were expected at fan zones in the capital and other cities.

Football fever has ratcheted up in the country of around four million people, boosted by a thumping 3-0 group-stage win against Argentina and a victory on penalties against Denmark to reach the quarter-finals.

Cars are decorated with red-and-white chequerboard flags and football jerseys are being sold in large numbers.

“Modric is bestselling, although (Danijel) Subasic is becoming increasingly popular,” Ana Maric, 20, selling souvenirs in downtown Zagreb, told.