Croatia

Croatia were always supposed to finish their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against Slovakia in Rijeka. But after the Hungary match in Split, there were small rumblings that the game could be moved to Poljud. And after the Wales match, even stronger rumblings said that the Slovakia match would be moved to Maksimir in Zagreb. The HNS conformed that the match will in … [Read more...] about CONFIRMED: Croatia vs. Slovakia To Be Played In Rijeka

There's no doubt about it; Croatia's 1-1 draw against Wales was a bit disappointing. The Vatreni came out of the gate hot with a 9th minute goal from the 'wunderkind' duo of Josip Brekalo and Nikola Vlašić. It looked as if they would break open the flood gates in Cardiff, but it didn't happen. Wales - a mediocre European side at best - only has one guy on their team that is … [Read more...] about Croatia vs. Wales: The Silver Lining

Croatia Starting XI vs. Wales: (4-2-3-1): Livaković - Barišić, Vida, Lovren, Jedvaj - Modrić, Kovačić - Perišić, Vlašić, Brekalo - Petković The Vatreni started off their second to last Euro 2020 qualifier against Wales in fantastic fashion. Young bloods Josip Brekalo and Nikola Vlašić got the start in place of veterans Ivan Rakitić and Ante Rebić. The tandem linked … [Read more...] about Croatia Draw Wales 1-1, Still In Complete Control Of Euro Berth

Operation: Poljud was a huge success! Not only did the Vatreni smash on Hungary 3-0 to take control of their Euro 2020 qualifying group, but there was zero drama in Split surrounding the match for the first time in ages. The win means Croatia now hold a 4-point advantage over their Hungarian neighbors. The top two teams in the group go directly to Euro 2020. (For … [Read more...] about Croatia Can Book Euro 2020 Berth Sunday With Win, Or Draw (Maybe)

Croatia Starting XI vs. Hungary (4-3-3): Livaković - Jedvaj, Lovren, Vida, Barišić - Rakitić, Modrić, Brozović - Rebić, Perišić, Petković Mistakes galore by Hungary in the first half led to three Croatian goals at Poljud Thursday night. Captain Luka Modrić stole the ball and broke away in the 5' for the opener and then Dinamo Zagreb's Bruno Petković added two himself … [Read more...] about Croatia Demolish Hungary 3-0, One Win Away From Euro 2020 Berth

The Vatreni will play at Split's Poljud Stadion for the first time Thursday since June 12, 2015 - where they drew Italy 1-1 in Euro 2016 qualifying. That match was played behind closed doors due to Croatian fan trouble from a previous match against Norway and then brought a dark shadow upon Croatian football itself. The last time the Vatreni played at Poljud, a swastika could … [Read more...] about The Poljud Curse

So I'm sitting at my desk at work Tuesday afternoon doing my usual thing. I have the Dinamo Zagreb-Manchester City match in the background on my second computer screen. The Champions League anthem comes on at the Etihad as the camera pans to Dinamo's usual suspects: Olmo, Livaković, Oršić, Moro, Ademi. Unlike past Champions League seasons - where Dinamo would get … [Read more...] about 2019 Croatian Football: Don’t Take It For Granted, Folks