Croatia

    Written by Markus     Let’s admit it - we all have a sweet spot for Zlatko Dalić thanks to Croatia's 2018 fairytale run. But fairytales always end, and i's time to start a new book...and a new book means new characters.     Dalić’s first game leading the checkers was a crucial one, and he delivered. A Kramarić brace against Ukrainian sent … [Read more...] about Zlatko Dalić: The End Of An Era

HRVATSKA: Livaković - Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Barišić - Kovačić, Brozović, Modrić - Kramarić, Vlašić, Perišić SLOVENIJA: Oblak - Stojanović, Mevlja, Blažič, Balkovec - Bijol, Kurtić - Iličić, Lovrić, Bohar - Vučkić  Post Game Recap Rebić and Petković have been ruled out with injuries. Luka Modrić will tie Darijo Srna as the most capped Croatian footballer in history (134) … [Read more...] about Croatia Lose 1-0 To Slovenia In WC Qualifying Opener

    Three weeks ago, the Mladi Vatreni were preparing to enter the Under-21 Euro with one of the best squads they’ve ever brought to the tournament. Although the Croatian side was drawn into the tournament’s 'Group of Death' with Portugal, England, and Switzerland, in-form players such as Joško Gvardiol, Luka Sučić, and Borna Sosa were expected to lead them to the … [Read more...] about Mladi Vatreni Begin Euro 2021 Run This Thursday

      It seems like ages since Croatia played a real game. Taking UEFA Nations League matches out of the equation - which I still count as a nonsense mini-tournament- the Vatreni have not played a competitive match since their last Euro qualifier against Slovakia on November 16th, 2019. That's nearly 18 months.     On Wednesday, Croatia begin … [Read more...] about Vatreni Begin WC Qualifying Run: 3 Things You Need To Know

What an interesting turn of events in only a few years. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, we considered the left back spot to be our weakest link with Ivan Strinić and Josip Pivarić being our best options. I am not saying those two were bad players. They have both played for some decent teams in their careers and I am sure we all appreciate their efforts playing for the national … [Read more...] about Left Back Conundrum: Who Will Be The Starting Left Back At EURO 2021?

Former Croatia manager Zlatko Kranjčar passed away at the age of 64 early Monday morning in Zagreb. He was admitted to the  hospital in Zadar on February 18th due to a liver issue and was eventually moved to Zagreb as his condition worsened, but was unable to recover, 24sata reports. Kranjčar was a Croatian football trail blazer. He scored 98 goals in 261 matches for Dinamo … [Read more...] about Zlatko ‘Cico’ Kranjčar 1956-2021

Joe and Kei (2 English blokes) from United Mates Football Podcast had me on last week to talk all things Croatian football; which included past, present, and future. They asked me about growing up Croatian in Los Angeles, the Crottenham phenomenon, Croatia's all-time starting XI, and we even played some Croatian footy trivia. Joe and Kei asked me if I was worried about … [Read more...] about CroatianSports Hits The United Mates Football Podcast