"Today I really liked Sochi, as well as Nizhny Novgorod several days ago. I know that, unfortunately, one of us will have to say goodbye tonight, and the other team will go on. Of course, I support Croatia and wish the Croatian team advance further," Grabar-Kitarovic said during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Sochi.

The Croatian President added that "football diplomacy" would be useful for rapprochement of people of the two countries.

"I think, no matter which team wins, today we will see an excellent and fair game, overcoming everything that can create obstacles in everyday life. Speaking about sports, it brings us closer," Grabar-Kitarovic noted.

Earlier, the Russian Government's press service said that Medvedev and Gravar-Kitarovic were going to discuss major issues concerning the two countries, regarding commercial, economic, culture and humanitarian cooperation.

Russia and Croatia finished the first half of their quarter-final level at 1-1.