CROATIA Starting XI vs. Greece: Subašić - Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinić - Rakitić, Brozović, Modrić - Perišić, Kramarić- Kalinić. Mandžukić on the bench with a thigh injury. Wow! Who saw that coming? Croatia will be in cruise control Sunday versus Greece, and barring a complete catastrophe in Piraeus, will be heading to Russia next summer. The Vatreni … [Read more...] about Goals Galore In Zagreb! Croatia Defeat Greece 4-1, Now 90 Minutes Away From World Cup In Russia
Croatia vs. Greece: Badelj Out, Mandza Okay
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It is now official. Fiorentina midfielder Milan Badelj, who was slated to start against Greece, has been ruled out for both playoff games due to a thigh strain. With a midfield spot to fill, manager Zlatko Dalić should call up Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozović off the alternate list. Brozović returned to action last week for Inter after picking up a minor knock and has come off … [Read more...] about Croatia vs. Greece: Badelj Out, Mandza Okay
Croatia vs. Greece: Pick Your Poison!
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In one week's time, we will all know if Croatia will be headed to Russia or not. The Vatreni will take on Greece in a two-legged home-and-away playoff which begins with a 2:45PM (ET) kickoff this Thursday from Maksimir in Zagreb and the away leg on Sunday in Greece. But who should start for Croatia? Goalie Danijel Subašić was taken off for … [Read more...] about Croatia vs. Greece: Pick Your Poison!
Croatians Around Europe *X*
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Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ante Rebić once again justified his call up to the Croatian national squad for the Greece playoff with another 'wunder gol' Friday night against Werder Bremen in a 2-1 victory. The 24 year-old striker curled a one-timer from 18 yards out to beat the Bremen keeper for his fourth goal in last six matches. Rebić is known to be an emotional player who … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *X*
Croatia v. Greece Watch Parties
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Calling all Los Angeles-area Croatians! Croatia's second playoff match against Greece will be hosted LIVE without cover at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Downtown LA on November 12th at 11:45 AM. There will be food and beverage for sale. Sunday mass begins at 10AM. For the rest of the diaspora around the world, please comment below where the watch party … [Read more...] about Croatia v. Greece Watch Parties
Wien Return Favor, Down Rijeka 4-1
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After a 3-1 win over Wien in Austria in the previous round, Rijeka missed a golden chance Thursday night to make up some ground in Europa League Group D and fight for a knockout round berth. The reigning Croatian champions lost 4-1 in a game that saw Josip Mišić sent off in the 72nd minute with the game at 2-1 for hitting a Wien player, ever so slightly, in the body as both … [Read more...] about Wien Return Favor, Down Rijeka 4-1
Perišić Strikes Again!
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He may be wild at times with his outside the box shots, but when he connects, it's a thing of beauty. Inter Milan's Ivan Perišić scored the game winner Monday night in a 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona. Perišić blasted a 19-yard one-timer past the Verona keeper for the goal and three vital road points which keeps Inter only two points behind leaders Napoli in Serie … [Read more...] about Perišić Strikes Again!
Croatians Around Europe *IX*
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With the Greece tie now only two weeks away, it would be ideal to see Croatian players at optimal form with their clubs. But that didn't happen this weekend. Instead, defender Domagoj Vida was the only Croatian international to find the back of the net in a weekend that was uneventful for the Vatreni. Vida headed home a cross on a rain-soaked pitch against Karpaty in the 12th … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *IX*
Modrić Makes 2017 FIFA Best XI Team…Again
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For the 3rd straight year, Luka Modrić has been named to FIFA's "Team of the Year". The FIFA FIFPro World XI is voted on by 26,622 players from 71 countries, who all vote on one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three strikers, SkySports reports. Modrić is coming off a 2016/17 campaign at Real Madrid which saw Los Blancos win La Liga and … [Read more...] about Modrić Makes 2017 FIFA Best XI Team…Again
