Slobodna Dalmacija is reporting that many Croatians in Dalmacija, especially Split, want Croatian qualifiers played at the Poljud now that the undefeated competitive streak has been broken at Maksimir in Zagreb. This is really the only opportunity that Split has to lure Croatian FA representatives into making a switch of home grounds for the team- even if it’s only a few matches to start off with.
The saying goes, “If it isn’t broken, then don’t fix it.” Now that the ‘Croatian Wembley’ (Maksimir) has been infiltrated; and the streak broken, I think a change would be good for the Croatian FA, as well as the entire country. Anyone would be called crazy and checked into a mental institution if they dared to recommend a change from Maksimir in the past few years. But Croatian football is now starting off with a clean slate with their next home game against a pretty bad Andorra side in Zagreb on October 15th.
So why might the Croatian FA and fans alike not want games played in Split?- well maybe because Croatia has never won a game at the Poljud, ever! Croatia has 3 losses and 3 draws at the Poljud in six friendly matches. And in the only three qualification games Split has ever hosted (the last one was played in April of 1997 against Slovenia in a World Cup 1998 qualifier), Croatia has posted 3 draws.
So if it was up to you, would you move any qualifiers to Split? I mean the city is the central hub of the Croatian coastline and hasn’t hosted a ‘real’ Croatian international in over 11 years. I think it’s time. And I also think the fans in Split would even be better; as long as they behaved themselves- not to take anything away from fans in Zagreb as they are always great.
I am all for playing friendlies at Poljud-and if we perform, then let’s take a look at things…but to play competitive fixtures there right now is simply stupid- if we can’t win friendlies there, why would competitive games be different? Besides, as it is, we can’t afford anymore losses- 2nd place doesn’t ensure qualification. I know it’s become a cliché but “there are no easy games in int’nl football” is right. Like the Champions League, teams MUST win home games.
That said, nobody has told me the advantage of playing outside Maksimir. Why would playing elsewhere HELP the team?..
Records were made to be broken.
Sooner or later Croatia’s home unbeaten record was going to come to an end. Luckily, it didn’t happen against “Yugoslavia” or Serbia in the final game of EURO 2000 qualifiers. I would have preffered that a Sweden, Denmark, or another “neutral” country had the honor, however, an England win won’t make me lose sleep at night.
Alex,
I agree with you on this one. Over the years, I have counted every game Croatia has won on this quite impressive streak. For some reason, I didn’t think it was going to end.
“Ending the streak at Maksimir was a blessing in disguise. It had become a burden on the players. Now they can just play without worrying of ruining some stupid record.”
Just like the English would rather play away from Wembley, Croatia must have that same feeling at Maksimir. now that the record is finished, they can finally breathe again.
As far as playing at the Poljud, Split should start hosting the meaningless games like (Estonia, Latvia, Switzerland, etc) and Varazdin and/or Osijek should get the Andorra-Malta-etc etc..
How do you guys feel about this idea?
Yes, I’m sure some weight will be lifted off the plaers shoulders now that there’s no streak to be extended. But why play all your games in 1 stadium? At Leat give Poljud a couple qualifiers, maybe 2 each qualifying campaign. And about the winless streak, the last time Croatia had a real game in Split was 1997, so that’ a pretty long time. The pitch would obviously look better and be fixed if the Croatian FA decided to play there. And you would be surprised to see what kind of direct connections you can make at Split airport from all over Europe. The airport is ever-expanding and can accommodate many more flights now. So I think the extra flight argument is invalid.
No, No, and No… Ending the streak at Maksimir was a blessing in disguise. It had become a burden on the players. Now they can just play without worrying of ruining some stupid record. As for playing at Poljud, that’s a terrible idea. Not only because of the winless record but because the players obviously don’t like/feel at ease playing there. Plus the pitch is lousy and it’s usually an extra flight for the players.
Maybe the Andorra game but not England or Ukraine. One loss in Zagreb should’nt mean we have to change and have a new start.