Moscow: Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic on Sunday gave her Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin a Croatian soccer jersey with the name "Putin" printed on the back, hours before Croatia's World Cup final against France in Moscow.

Croatia has been caught up in soccer fever after the Balkan nation of 4.2 million people swept aside more fancied opponents to reach its first ever World Cup final.

Grabar-Kitarovic has, herself, entered into the spirit of the occasion, travelling to Russia to watch matches and dressing in the colours of the national flag. Croatia knocked Russia out of the competition in the quarterfinals.

At a Kremlin meeting, Putin congratulated the Croatian president on the Croatian team's performance.

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"I'm sure we will see a beautiful game today," he said. Grabar-Kitarovic thanked Putin for what she said was the successful organisation of the competition.

Putin presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

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