(During the next 30 days, starting May 10th, CroatianSports will be giving “season grades” to 30 of Croatia’s most important football players: Starting XI, bench, fringe, prospects. Grades will be given on preseason expectations vs. actual season performance; not stats.) Day 12: Marko Livaja Season Grade: A- Season Highlight: Clutch goal vs. Canada during the group … [Read more...] about Marko Livaja | Season Grade: A-
Croatians Around Europe Weekend #32: Kramarić Keeps Hoffenheim Up With Brace In MOTM Performance
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Andrej Kramarić secured Hoffenheim's status in the Bundesliga next season with a MOTM performance (2 goals, 1 assist) in a 4-2 victory over 4th place Union Berlin and Croatian teammate Josip Juranović Saturday. Krama cooly converted a penalty in the 36th minute to make it 2-0 and then tapped in from a few yards out in the 90th to make it 3-1. Krama would assist nine minutes … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe Weekend #32: Kramarić Keeps Hoffenheim Up With Brace In MOTM Performance
Dominik Livaković | Season Grade: A+
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(During the next 30 days, starting May 10th, CroatianSports will be giving “season grades” to 30 of Croatia’s most important football players: Starting XI, bench, fringe, prospects. Grades will be given on preseason expectations vs. actual season performance; not stats.) Day 6: Dominik Livaković Season Grade: A+ Grade for Croatian NT: A+, an absolutely heroic World … [Read more...] about Dominik Livaković | Season Grade: A+
Brozović & Inter Milan Punch Ticket To Champions League Final!
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After a 1-0 (3-0 agg.) victory on Tuesday, Marcelo Brozović and Inter are through to the Champions League Finals! They are set to face the winner of Real Madrid and Manchester City, which will be played tomorrow at 3pm ET. Although he did not get the start, Brozović played for more than a half after being subbed on shortly before halftime. It hasn't been his best season for … [Read more...] about Brozović & Inter Milan Punch Ticket To Champions League Final!
Croatians Around Europe Weekend #31: Beljo, Baturina Stay Hot
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Dion Drena Beljo assisted twice as Augsburg fell to Bochum 3-2 in the Bundesliga. He has been on fire for his side lately - is it finally time that Dalić gives him a chance on the pitch? Martin Baturina scored and assisted in Dinamo's 4-0 thrashing of Šibenik. The 20 year-old now has 6 goals and 10 assists this season. Nikola Vlašić scored a beautiful game-winner … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe Weekend #31: Beljo, Baturina Stay Hot
Dinamo Draw Hajduk At Poljud, Capture 6th Straight League Title
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Surprise! Dinamo Zagreb are the champions of Croatia once again. The Modri rolled into Poljud only one point shy of capturing the 2022-23 Prva Liga title. A scoreless draw propelled Dinamo to their sixth title in a row, and Igor Bišćan's first as the club's manager. Also, this is Dinamo's 17th league title in the past 18 Prva Liga seasons. However, a more competitive … [Read more...] about Dinamo Draw Hajduk At Poljud, Capture 6th Straight League Title
Croatian Football – Close, But No Cigar
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Another tournament, and yet another medal given to a Croatian football side for being just short of the best. "I love it, and I'm proud, and it's an amazing achievement, but I want to win something already. I'm so tired of celebrating second or third place over and over again" - a good friend's (and die-hard Vatreni supporter) response to a photo of the parade that … [Read more...] about Croatian Football – Close, But No Cigar
Kramarić Bags Late Goal As Croatia Defeats Saudi Arabia 1-0 In Pre-World Cup Friendly
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Andrej Kramarić bagged the game's lone goal in the 82nd minute after receiving a Modrić pass on the left flank and cutting in to beat the Saudi keeper with a low shot inside the post. It was enough for the win an an extremely boring game that to be more of a training exercise than a real football match. If you didn't watch this one, you didn't miss much. The Vatreni scored … [Read more...] about Kramarić Bags Late Goal As Croatia Defeats Saudi Arabia 1-0 In Pre-World Cup Friendly
World Cup 2022: 5 “Hot Takes” For Croatia In Qatar
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The 2022 World Cup is less than 10 days away! Let's take a look at five bold predictions for Croatia's campaign as the tournament draws closer and closer... Croatia will show no hangover from the 2018 World Cup. Expect a quarterfinal appearance from the Vatreni at minimum. After falling to France in the final, most Croatians thought they'd have to wait another 20 years … [Read more...] about World Cup 2022: 5 “Hot Takes” For Croatia In Qatar