The Croatian squad landed in Zagreb earlier this week as they once again reunite for their 2010 World Cup qualifier against Andorra next Wednesday. Pure excitement could be felt as players touched down from all over Europe to join the rest of the team. I might be biased in saying this, but I have never seen an international team show this much love for one another. Players … [Read more...] about THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN
Croatia
BILIĆ NAMES SQUAD VS. ANDORRA
By 20 CommentsGoalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak Moscow) Vedran Runje (RC Lens) Danijel Subašić (Hajduk Split) Surprises in net: Danijel Subašić still sits ahead of Champion's League Greek goalie, Mario Galinović. At age 32, will Galinović ever get another call up to the national team? Defenders: Vedran Ćorluka (Tottenham) Josip Šimunić (Hertha Berlin) Ivica Križanac … [Read more...] about BILIĆ NAMES SQUAD VS. ANDORRA
‘VATRENI’ ARE A BLAST FROM THE PAST
By 4 CommentsEarlier this week, some of your favorite Croatian players turned in their checkered shirts and hung up their cleats in exchange for thick mustaches and pastel-colored coats. So why did they decide to hop in a time machine and take a trip down 70's lane where John Travolta is king and Studio 54 was the only 'happening' place to be? Eduardo, Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić helped … [Read more...] about ‘VATRENI’ ARE A BLAST FROM THE PAST
CROATIA WIN IN EDUARDO’S RETURN
By 39 CommentsSo far, so good for Croatia in 2009. The 'Vatreni' went down early to Romania in Bucharest but managed a 2-1 victory in the end with some new faces, some old ones and most importantly that one returning face. Yes, Eduardo is officially back! He was subbed into the game at the 60' mark for Ivica Olić. Although he only had a few touches on the ball, Eduardo managed to squeak a … [Read more...] about CROATIA WIN IN EDUARDO’S RETURN
BILIĆ NAMES SQUAD VS. ROMANIA
By 48 CommentsBefore we get to the squad, I would just like to apologize for this post being published so late. I have been busy and Denis is currently computer-less. We have been aware of Bilić's picks and are glad some of you got started without us commenting on the squad. So to the team... GOALKEEPERS Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak) Danijel Subašić … [Read more...] about BILIĆ NAMES SQUAD VS. ROMANIA
BREAKING NEWS! FABIO CAPELLO SMILES!
By 3 CommentsEngland boss, Fabio Capello, visited his home country of Italy this week to scout David Beckham in Milan's match against Genoa at the San Siro Stadium. Ivan Jurić and company held Milan to a 1-1 draw; but that's not the whole story. While Capello was in Italy, he was invited to be a guest on a nighttime talk show. Little did he know, but the talk show had a guest of … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS! FABIO CAPELLO SMILES!
CSR CHOOSES SRNA AS NEW CAPTAIN
By 14 CommentsSlaven Bilić has not yet made up his mind and we will all find out soon enough who Niko Kovač's predecessor as captain of Croatia will be; but for now, the fans have spoken and chosen Darijo Srna to lead the 'Vatreni' into the 2010 World Cup and beyond. In a unanimous decision, 61% of you voted for Srna, while Modrić, Šimunić and Robert Kovač equally shared the remainder of … [Read more...] about CSR CHOOSES SRNA AS NEW CAPTAIN
FIFA SAYS NO TO CVITANICH
By 53 CommentsAs most of you on CSR are now creating your own individual 'mock squads' for the Romania friendly, it looks like Dario Cvitanich will remain absent from everyone's list- as well as all future Croatian squads all together. INDEX.hr has confirmed that FIFA has banned Argentina-born and current Ajax striker, Dario Cvitanich, from playing for the Croatian national side. FIFA … [Read more...] about FIFA SAYS NO TO CVITANICH
CSR "PLAYER OF THE YEAR" GOES TO…
By 11 CommentsNone other than Luka Modrić! The CroatianSoccerReport.com readers have spoken and Luka Modrić is your 2008 Croatian Player of the Year! During our most popular poll to date, 124 loyal readers voted over 2 weeks to reach the unanimous decision that Luka Modrić deserved the POY award with 41% of the votes. Congratulations Luka on this prestigious award. (Yes of … [Read more...] about CSR "PLAYER OF THE YEAR" GOES TO…