Slaven Bilić is a fun guy. He's animated. He's energetic. He's in a band. And he's just about got his coaching career back in control. After leading Croatia to the Euro 2008 quarterfinals after an improbable 3-2 win over England at Wembley, denying the Three Lions Euro qualification, Bilić was on top of the world. He was untouchable. The players loved him. The … [Read more...] about Bilić’s Boys (Besiktas Edition)
Croatians Around Europe
Srna’s Last Stand
By 22 CommentsAt 32 years and 10 months old, Croatia/Shakhtar Donetsk captain Darijo Srna may very well play the last significant match of his career Wednesday night (3:45PM ET) in Germany. After a scoreless affair in Donetsk three weeks ago, Shakhtar will take on German champions Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 showdown. Although heavy … [Read more...] about Srna’s Last Stand
They once called him a flop…
By 33 Comments...and now they chant his name. While he sits on the bench. Injured. The Real Madrid faithful chanted Luka Modrić's name Sunday in the 63rd minute of their 1-1 draw against Villareal at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. Modrić has been sidelined since injuring his thigh against Italy in November but is scheduled to return sometime this month. Real … [Read more...] about They once called him a flop…
Bad Luck Lovren
By 31 CommentsDejan Lovren was supposed to be Liverpool's anchor at defense this season. In his first year in England last season, Lovren was a beast in the back for Southampton. Following his success, a requested move to Liverpool in the summer of 2014 was finally granted. But instead of success, Lovren has only received criticism in these times of turmoil for the 25 year-old Croatian … [Read more...] about Bad Luck Lovren
Croatians Around Europe *XXVII*
By 39 CommentsSPAIN Mario Mandžukić and French teammate Antoine Griezmann are peaking at the perfect time for Atletico Madrid. In a 3-0 win over Almeria on Saturday, Mandza converted a penalty in the 13th minute before assisting on both Griezmann goals in the 20th and 29th minutes. The first was a cool little pass at midfield, keeping the Frenchman just onside with the … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *XXVII*
Croatians Around Europe *XXVI*
By 85 CommentsENGLAND Andrej Kramarić is quickly making a name for himself in England. After completing a transfer from Rijeka to Leicester City in the most recent winter transfer window, Kramarić scored his first goal in the Premiership this week before scoring a beautiful header against Aston Villa Saturday in FA Cup play. With Leicester down 2-0 and all but defeated to … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *XXVI*
Kramarić scores 1st Premiership goal
By 57 Comments23 year-old former Rijeka striker Andrej Kramarić netted his first English Premier League goal Tuesday night in London as his Leicester City side were defeated 2-1 by a much more complete Arsenal club. With Leicester down 2-0 in the 62nd minute, Kramarić found himself open inside the box after a failed clearance attempt to one-time the ball just inside the near post to beat … [Read more...] about Kramarić scores 1st Premiership goal
Kovačić Red Card: Fair or Foul?
By 7 CommentsIn Tuesday night's Serie A match between Juventus and Inter Milan in Torino, Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovačić picked up a straight red card in the 86th minute for a late tackle on Stephan Lichtsteiner. Kovačić was clearly late on the play but was it worthy of a red card late in a 1-1 match? Lichtsteiner clearly sold the foul as Kovačić lunged for the ball cleats up, … [Read more...] about Kovačić Red Card: Fair or Foul?
Kramarić heading to Leicester?
By 14 CommentsIt appears that Croatia's biggest transfer piece of the winter window, Andrej Kramarić, will get snubbed by Chelsea and picked up by Leicester City instead. The current HNL scoring leader is set to break the bank for Rijeka in there biggest transfer to date as the Premiership carousel keeps spinning. Originally it looked as if Kramarić would be heading to English … [Read more...] about Kramarić heading to Leicester?