The 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
Croatians Around Europe *VII*
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After 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
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FOX 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
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So 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
Dinamo Fight Man City Tough In 2-0 Loss At Etihad
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After a 4-0 Champions League opening match victory over Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb had to put their big boy pants on Tuesday night in Manchester as they marched into the Etihad against arguably one of the best football teams on the planet - Manchester City. Even without Belgian midfielder star Kevin de Bruyne, City were favored in Vegas to beat Dinamo by four goals; and … [Read more...] about Dinamo Fight Man City Tough In 2-0 Loss At Etihad
Croatians Around Europe *VI*
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It was a slow week for Croatians around Europe in club play but 23 year-old Šibenik-born Duje Ćaleta-Car scored the equalizer for Marseille off a corner in a 1-1 draw against Rennes. With his side down 1-0, Ćaleta-Car headed home a corner in the 52nd minute. Ćaleta-Car has only been capped by Croatia twice, but with a hole soon opening up at the center-back position, as Dejan … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *VI*
Croatia Squad Named For Hungary & Wales
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Earlier in the week, Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić named his squad for the October Euro 2020 qualifiers against Hungary and Wales. The Vatreni will host Hungary - who beat Croatia 2-1 earlier in the year - at Poljud in Split on October 10th. It will be the first game in Split since the swastika was found on the pitch against Italy in June of 2015. Croatia will then travel to … [Read more...] about Croatia Squad Named For Hungary & Wales
Dinamo Zagreb Thrash Atalanta 4-0 In CL Opener, Oršić Nets Hat Trick
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Oh boy. That happened tonight. A Croatian team defeated an Italian club in the Champions League. Dinamo Zagreb slapped four goals on Atalanta - who finished 3rd in Serie A last season - in a 4-0 Champions League thumping Wednesday night at Maksimir. It was all Dinamo for 90 minutes as Marin Leovac opened up the scoring in the 10th with Mislav Oršić rattling off three … [Read more...] about Dinamo Zagreb Thrash Atalanta 4-0 In CL Opener, Oršić Nets Hat Trick
Champions League: Day 1
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The Champions League is back! Tuesday night, Marcelo Brozović got the start for Inter Milan in a 1-1 home draw vs. Slavia Prague. Brozović played 71 minutes and was slightly responsible for the Slavia goal with poor defending in the box. Inter Milan needed an injury time equalizer to spare a point in a group which is also comprised of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. … [Read more...] about Champions League: Day 1
