How well is Croatia running right now? Even their backup team is winning games at Euro 2008. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Poland was BAD! I was actually worried about the Poland encounter and thought it would decide the group B runner-up. Not the case. Poland played like they had already been eliminated from the tournament. Our guys were playing for pride and possible spots on the team for later in the tournament- especially Ivan Klasnić.
Klasnić probably had the most to prove as he would be getting his first shot at action in the tournament and could overtake Petrić’s spot in the lineup since he hasn’t been looking good at all. We must remember that Klasnić was out of soccer for almost a year as he had 2 kidney transplants. It showed when Klasnić scored the only goal of the game in the second half. He fell to the ground showing how emotional the moment was for him as teammates smothered him.
As happy as I was for Klasnić for his goal and hoping that he would play great in this game so he would get more P.T. in the tournament- I just don’t think his efforts were good enough in today’s game. Klasnić had too many golden opportunities at goal and just could not finish. I was pulling hard for him but he just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. Petrić once again didn’t play well and I see Bilić playing Olić and Rakitić in the same roles as they did versus Germany.
I was happy with the team’s efforts today. Backup goalkeeper, Vedran Runje, made some nice saves. His only slip-up occurred when he came out for a clearing and ran over Dario Knežević, who injured his knee and was then subbed out minutes later for regular Vedran Ćorluka.
Dario Šimić, who earned his 99th career cap, played well in the back and turned down numerous Polish attacks. Ivan Rakitić played the entire game and was my man of the match as he controlled the midfield and put on a display of crosses which just couldn’t be put away by Croatian strikers.
Niko Kranjčar and Nikola Kalinić came in as late game substitutions for Petrić and Klasnić.
Overall, I couldn’t be happier with the team. We’ll be fresh for the Turkey game this Friday as the team is in high spirits. Croatia can beat the Turks, where they would then play the winner of the Germany/Portugal game in the semifinal. Call me biased, but Croatia can make the Final.
NOTES: This is the first time ever that Croatia has won their group in a Euro/World Cup tournament and the first time we have claimed all 9 points in a 3-0 undefeated group campaign.
we are the home team for the match on friday which means we get to pick our kit, however turkey has all white and all red so i dont think we can use checkers anyways….but i dont think we would go away from blue anyways….yes that is confirmed….turkey can be without 7….2 for sure due to suspension…
and also…
will croatia continue using the away jersey against Turkey or will the home one be used..
I want us to use this away one more…its good luck…we beat england at wembley in it and then win all our group matches at euro in it!
I was very suprised with how well the team played this morning. Great to see Klasnic score as he is one of my favourites but he should have finished off the other two chances he had. I think Bilic will use the same line up as against Germany but Klasnic will be a second half substitution. Petric really needs to shape up if he wants to continue playing for Croatia.
I also heard on tv that Turkey will possibly be without 7 players including Volkan so that will be a massive advantage for us.
And also I hope that Romania beat Netherlands today as I would love to see Italy and France out of the competition!
Cant wait for the game against Turkey!!!!
Agree with you totally about Klasnic, Against Turkey, Germany, Portugal we need to bury those chances. Don’t know how he got man of the match. That said, Congrats to Ivan on his recovery and his return.
I thought man of the match should have gone to Rakitic or Pranjic. Rakitic was very busy and created alot for us. Pranjic’s runs terrorised their RB.
Cant wait for Friday.
Croatia 3 Turkey 0
2 late goals will see us thru after some nervous moments. Niko Kranjcar to get on the score sheet.
u boj u boj…….
its still early in the week but here is a turkey report…we know that theyre #1 goalie is out with a red and so is one of their starting midfieders…but there are reports that 5 other players might not be able to play due to injury….
Another great outing, things are going to form, and falling into place as predicted. Slaven’s got a real team on his hands, and these guys are willing to go through a wall for him, all of them.
Expect a rematch with Germany next week. Croatia will dominate Turkey probably by a couple of goals or more. The Turks have had their moment in the sun for this tournament. They’ve peaked. Plus they have a slow defense, and no midfield than can match Croatia’s.
This victory bodes well both for the remainder of the tourney, and indeed for the team’s future. The experience gathered today was invaluable for the second team. Leko and Vukojevic played well, in addition to those that you mention.
Klasnic played well too, and he’ll be in the mix in the next few games.
Croatia’s style makes other teams look worse than they are. Expect more of it.