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World Cup fans’ view: The day Croatia took over the Argentine Embassy in Washington

Slobodan Silijeg sidled up next to Dino Mihanovic in the atrium of the Croatian Embassy in Northwest Washington, planted his nose into the taller man’s left shoulder and sniffed.

“This isn’t that new!” Mihanovic laughed, plucking at the red-and-white, No. 17 jersey he’d just pulled on over his shirt and tie.

Silijeg shot the counselor of the European Union to the United States a skeptical look and they were both grinning as second secretary Josip Babic swooped into proclaim, “Okay, time to go!”

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