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Serbian son-in-law wows the world with message: 'This is for you, pure love'
🇭🇷 Croatia /Sports

Serbian son-in-law wows the world with message: 'This is for you, pure love'

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Goalkeeper Eloy Room made a record-breaking 15 saves for Curaçao in their historic 0-0 draw against Ecuador at the World Cup.
  • Room's performance earned him a perfect score and cemented Curaçao's first-ever World Cup point.
  • The 37-year-old, who is married to a Serbian influencer, was praised for his heroic display and a heartwarming post-match message.

Curaçao's national football team achieved a historic milestone on Sunday, securing their first-ever point in a World Cup appearance with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Ecuador. The absolute hero of the match was goalkeeper Eloy Room, whose extraordinary performance kept Ecuador at bay throughout the game.

The 37-year-old veteran made an astonishing 15 saves, including ten shots from within the penalty area. This remarkable display earned him a perfect match rating and etched his name in World Cup history as the goalkeeper with the most saves in a single match that did not go into extra time. While American Tim Howard holds the overall record with 16 saves in a 2014 match, Room's feat in a regulation 90 minutes is exceptional.

Beyond his goalkeeping heroics, Room captured hearts with a touching post-match gesture. He revealed a shirt with the message "This is for you! Pure love, Curacao," dedicating his performance to his homeland. This display of passion and gratitude resonated widely, further solidifying his status as a national hero.

Room's professional career began in 2008, and he has played for several clubs, including Vitesse, Go Ahead Eagles, PSV Eindhoven, Columbus Crew, Cercle Brugge, and Miami FC. He notably won the MLS Cup with Columbus Crew in 2020. Adding a unique dimension to his profile, Room is married to Serbian influencer Zorana Jovanović, often referred to as Zorannah, leading to him being dubbed the "Serbian son-in-law" by the media. His blend of athletic achievement and personal connection has made him a celebrated figure.

This is for you! Pure love, Curacao

— Eloy RoomThe message displayed on Room's shirt after the match, dedicating his performance to his homeland.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.