Croatia

The 2022 World Cup qualifying schedule is set! Whoever negotiated this schedule from the HNS is an absolute genius. The Vatreni start with incredibly soft fixtures vs. Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta in March before taking on the bulk of their schedule against Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia in their toughest month in September. Croatia should get off to a quick … [Read more...] about World Cup 2022 Qualifying Schedule Released For Croatia

Croatia's World Cup 2022 qualifying group is set! The Vatreni received a favorable draw out of Pot 2 picking up Slovakia but will play the toughest team out of Pot 3 - Russia - in a World Cup 2018 quarterfinal rematch. The final three teams in the group consists of Slovenia, Cyprus, and Malta. Analysis & Shout-Outs The top finisher in the group … [Read more...] about Croatia Get Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta In World Cup Qualifying (ANALYSIS)

The 2022 World Cup qualifying draw is finally upon us. On December 7th, Croatia will know who will be in their 2022 World Cup qualifying group. The reigning World Cup finalists will be placed in Pot 1 among the top teams in Europe. Of the 10 groups in play, all group winners automatically clinch a berth to the World Cup while all 10 runners-up with join two UEFA … [Read more...] about 2022 World Cup Qualifying Draw: Who Do We Want?

Written by CroatianSports.com Staff At a young age, Vito Matijević was told to “never stop believing in himself, to always be persistent, and to keep pushing further and further." The 16 year-old striker has done nothing short of that, denying offers from Chelsea and Everton to improve as a player under a professional contract at GNK Dinamo Zagreb. Similar … [Read more...] about FUTURE STARS SERIES | Vito Matijević: The Next Mandžukić

With all attention on Croatia vs. Portugal on Tuesday, the U-21 qualification to EURO 2021 next year was overshadowed. It's great to see such a talented group of Croatian young guns qualify for the tournament, but it's how they qualified is what we should be talking about. The Mladi Vatreni did not control their own destiny starting the day Tuesday and not only … [Read more...] about Mladi Vatreni Backdoor Qualify To U-21 EURO 2021

A much better performance from the Vatreni today compared to the Sweden match on Saturday. The boys looked determined not to lay up another goose egg, and it showed. Even though this was a friendly match for Portugal, as they could not top the group, they played their 'Big 4' of Ronaldo, Fernandes, Jota, and Felix against Croatia in Split. Mateo Kovačić would score … [Read more...] about Kovačić Scores Twice As Lucky Portugal Beats Croatia 3-2 At Poljud

Maminjo is my "POTW", Poster of the Week. He's been on fire and is looking through his 'logical lens' rather than taking an emotional approach. Should Croatian fans be in 'panic mode' after the 2-1 loss to Sweden on Saturday? Absolutely not! Don't even spend one ounce of your energy thinking about it. The Vatreni are fine and by the time EURO … [Read more...] about Relax, Breathe, Don’t Worry…Repeat

It will be interesting to see who Dalić puts out there against Sweden. Modrić and Perišić are automatic. You can also add Brekalo and Vlašić to that list as Ante Rebić hasn't gone 90 minutes in over a month. Marcelo Brozović tested positive for COVID and will not be playing. Would Dalić try out Kovačić as the CDM behind Modrić? I would be completely fine with that rather than … [Read more...] about Vatreni Sleep Walk Through 2-1 Loss To Sweden