Croatia Starting XI vs. Wales: (4-2-3-1): Livaković - Barišić, Vida, Lovren, Jedvaj - Modrić, Kovačić - Perišić, Vlašić, Brekalo - Petković The Vatreni started off their second to last Euro 2020 qualifier against Wales in fantastic fashion. Young bloods Josip Brekalo and Nikola Vlašić got the start in place of veterans Ivan Rakitić and Ante Rebić. The tandem linked … [Read more...] about Croatia Draw Wales 1-1, Still In Complete Control Of Euro Berth
Archives for October 2019
Croatia Can Book Euro 2020 Berth Sunday With Win, Or Draw (Maybe)
By 51 CommentsOperation: Poljud was a huge success! Not only did the Vatreni smash on Hungary 3-0 to take control of their Euro 2020 qualifying group, but there was zero drama in Split surrounding the match for the first time in ages. The win means Croatia now hold a 4-point advantage over their Hungarian neighbors. The top two teams in the group go directly to Euro 2020. (For … [Read more...] about Croatia Can Book Euro 2020 Berth Sunday With Win, Or Draw (Maybe)
Croatia Demolish Hungary 3-0, One Win Away From Euro 2020 Berth
By 179 CommentsCroatia Starting XI vs. Hungary (4-3-3): Livaković - Jedvaj, Lovren, Vida, Barišić - Rakitić, Modrić, Brozović - Rebić, Perišić, Petković Mistakes galore by Hungary in the first half led to three Croatian goals at Poljud Thursday night. Captain Luka Modrić stole the ball and broke away in the 5' for the opener and then Dinamo Zagreb's Bruno Petković added two himself … [Read more...] about Croatia Demolish Hungary 3-0, One Win Away From Euro 2020 Berth
The Poljud Curse
By 30 CommentsThe Vatreni will play at Split's Poljud Stadion for the first time Thursday since June 12, 2015 - where they drew Italy 1-1 in Euro 2016 qualifying. That match was played behind closed doors due to Croatian fan trouble from a previous match against Norway and then brought a dark shadow upon Croatian football itself. The last time the Vatreni played at Poljud, a swastika could … [Read more...] about The Poljud Curse
HNL Week 11
By 8 CommentsHajduk Split and Dinamo both came out with victories this weekend, leaving the top end of the table unchanged, but a slip up by Rijeka created a chance for Osijek to maneuver up to third place after taking down a tough Gorica side. Despite the loss for HNK Gorica, they actually moved up the table, leapfrogging NK Lokomotiva on goal differential. The … [Read more...] about HNL Week 11
Croatians Around Europe *VII*
By 104 CommentsAfter a rough start to the Champions League season - where Real Madrid only have one point through the first two matches - Los Blancos got a 4-2 win against Granada on Saturday. Luka Modrić came off the bench in the 34th minute for Toni Kroos and made the game 3-0 in the 61' with a wonderful strike from 24 yards out. The man doesn't score many goals, but when he does, they are … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *VII*
Mandžukić: Football Player By Day, Gangster By Night
By 15 CommentsFOX Sports Asia reported that Mario Mandžukić's move from Juventus to Qatari club Al Rayyan was nearing the final stages. Al Rayyan had reportedly offered the forward a huge €7 million salary, and were willing to pay the €10 million transfer fee that the Italian giants were demanding for letting Mandžukić go. But Mandzo apparently added one more clause to the … [Read more...] about Mandžukić: Football Player By Day, Gangster By Night
2019 Croatian Football: Don’t Take It For Granted, Folks
By 132 CommentsSo I'm sitting at my desk at work Tuesday afternoon doing my usual thing. I have the Dinamo Zagreb-Manchester City match in the background on my second computer screen. The Champions League anthem comes on at the Etihad as the camera pans to Dinamo's usual suspects: Olmo, Livaković, Oršić, Moro, Ademi. Unlike past Champions League seasons - where Dinamo would get … [Read more...] about 2019 Croatian Football: Don’t Take It For Granted, Folks