Ante Kvartuč

Croatia Starting XI vs. Scotland (4-3-3): Livaković - Juranović, Vida, Lovren, Gvardiol - Kovačić, Modrić, Brozović - Vlašić, Perišić - Petković Well, there it is. With their backs to the wall, Croatia come through huge in the final game of group play. The boys came out with pace and purpose. Vlašić bagged the opener in the 1st half, which I thought would have been good … [Read more...] about Modrić Banger Puts Croatia In EURO Round of 16! Vatreni Beat Scotland 3-1

Written by KING BRONK It’s become evident that Croatia has been on wrong side of some very dodgy officiating throughout its major tournament history. This fact once again reared its ugly head in the Croatia-Czech Republic game Friday. Croatia was once again victimized by what all observers felt was a dubious penalty award to the Czechs by referee Carlos del Cerro Grande … [Read more...] about New Tournament, Old Problem: Croatia Gets Hosed Again

HRVATSKA Starting XI vs. Czech Republic: Livaković - Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, Gvardiol - Modrić, Kovačić - Brekalo, Kramarić, Perišić - Rebić There's not much else to say. That was one of the worst VAR penalty calls to date. Croatia came back to force a 1-1 draw. They must win against Scotland on Tuesday to book a spot in the Round of 16. Ćaleta-Car and Brozović are out … [Read more...] about Stalemate In Glasgow: Croatia Draw Czech 1-1 After Treacherous Penalty Call vs. Vatreni

Thank you to the great Maminjo for bringing this to the site's attention. Croatia has never lost the second match of any tournament they have played in...ever. Denmark (EURO 1996) Won 3-0Japan (World Cup 1998) Won 1-0Italy (World Cup 2002) Won 2-1France (EURO 2004) Drew 2-2Japan (World Cup 2006) Drew 0-0Germany (EURO 2008) Won 2-1Italy (EURO 2012) Drew 1-1Cameroon (World … [Read more...] about Croatia Have Never Lost The 2nd Match Of Any Tournament…Ever

It's true. Croatia has NEVER got out of group stage after losing their first game of the tournament. This has happened on three occasions: World Cup 2002: Lost 1-0 to Mexico World Cup 2006: Lost 1-0 to Brazil World Cup 2014: Lost 3-1 to Brazil Obviously, you never want to lose the first game of group stage as it puts you in a deep hole with only two matches … [Read more...] about Vatreni Have Never Progressed To The Knockout Round After Losing 1st Tournament Game…But That’s Going To Change

This is exactly why the CroatianSports.com Team has been rooting for Croatia to finish 2nd in the England group. Whoever finishes 2nd will play the second place finisher from the Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Poland group in the Round of 16. The England match was a nice spectacle and it is disappointing that Croatia didn't do much offensively, but the real tournament starts Friday … [Read more...] about Don’t Forget Why Finishing 2nd Is The Way To Go

England was the better team on the day. They could have easily scored one or two in the 1st half with one shot ringing off the post. The Croatian defense absolutely became Swiss cheese on England's lone goal with two missed tackles. The Vatreni did nothing offensively and are missing a true striker to work off of. Gvardiol's nerves showed in his first major match for … [Read more...] about England Beats Croatia 1-0 In EURO Opener, Vatreni Offense Anemic At Best

It's always nice to get a fresh perspective from the other side. I sat down with Joe and Kei from United Mates Football Podcast to discuss Sunday's match between Croatia and England. The Vatreni may have a new defensive core with the Vida/DCC partnership running alongside Barišić or Gvardiol at left-back, but England definitely have their own questions in that department. … [Read more...] about Croatia-England Preview w/ United Mates Football

Hello CroatianSports.com Nation! My name is Ante and I will be your spiritual and emotional guide during EURO 2021. It's been an incredibly long time since we last saw our beloved Vatreni play on the world stage - three years to be exact. And where we last left Luka Modrić and company was at the pinnacle of the game - the World Cup Final. This team is now three years older … [Read more...] about Croatia vs. England: Managing Emotions & Expectations