In the midst of Canada, where the Croatia national football team has finished its World Cup run, we find ourselves in Mississauga, a city just outside Toronto known for its large Croatian community. In this place, there is a store that is the hero of our story today. Croatia Meats is a store that sells cured meats, but also all other well-known products from Croatia. For the approximately 15,000 Croats living there, this is much more than just a store. This is a place where you can buy Vegeta, napolitanke, Linolada, Smoki, paštete and Bajadera, but also where you can get what you most crave. You guess, it's the smell of homemade sausages, ham, kulen and roasted meat. Croatia Meats is run by Josip Palić, a man whose roots are in Rešetari near Nova Gradiška. His father moved to Canada as early as 1957, but Croatia has never left his family. 'I always return to Croatia. I love it,' Josip tells us as he shows us the products that the local Croats most want to buy. The most sought-after are those things that are not available in Canada. On the shelves, you can find well-known products that many people in Croatia take for granted. Vegeta, napolitanke, Linolada, Smoki, paštete, Bajadera - all those things that get a different value in a foreign country. But the real hit, says Josip, is meat. 'The most go for cured meats. Sausages, ham, kulen, roasted meat... That's what sells best because there's no such meat in Canada,' says Palić. At that moment, the conversation turns into a small Croatian-Canadian discussion about prices. I tell him that some products in his store are cheaper than in Croatia. 'Impossible,' he responds, surprised. I show him online prices of the same or similar products in Croatia. He looks, compares and doesn't hide his amazement. 'I don't believe it's that expensive over there,' he says through laughter, but also with a hint of disbelief. For Croats in Canada, the price is not the only reason to come. In such stores, you also buy a sense of belonging. A package of napolitanke, a jar of Linolada or a piece of kulen are not just products. They are reminders of family tables, holidays, childhood and places from which many have left, but have never stopped carrying with them. Josip tells us that the Croatian community in Mississauga is strong and connected. People know each other, socialize, help each other and preserve the customs they brought across the ocean. 'Croats get along with each other here. The community is strong. We have a Croatian church, folkloric associations. It's all really on a high level,' he says. Although his life is tied to Canada, Croatia remains in his heart. He says he has Croatian citizenship and plans to return to Croatia in retirement. 'I'll return to Croatia when I retire. My goal is to settle in Vrlika,' he says without much doubt. I'm surprised that he chose Vrlika from all the cities and places in Croatia. 'I found it one summer, I don't know how. I like the place because the sea is close, but it's not too crowded. It can't be better,' he explains to me. In that sentence, maybe the life of Josip Palić is best seen. Last result: Portugal 2-1 Croatia (2026-07-02). Recent form (last 5): 2W-0D-3L (LLWWL, most recent first); lost the last 2. Next fixture: vs Czechia (away, 2026-09-26) (4th in the table).