Although Croatia is surely playoff bound, even with a loss to Scotland on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see what lineup manager Igor Štimac comes up with as Ivan Rakitić has been ruled out due to injury and captain Darijo Srna returns from a yellow card suspension. 19 year-old Inter Milan midfielder Mateo Kovačić, Šime Vrsaljko and Igor Bubnjić will join the U-21 Croatian … [Read more...] about Rakitić out, Kovačić heading to Switzerland
Soccer
Croatia 99% playoff bound
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The cardiac Croats are at it again. Since their March 2013 qualifiers against Serbia and Wales, which were both victories, Croatia has only earned one point from their next three competitive matches: 1-0 loss to Scotland, 1-1 draw with Serbia and 2-1 loss to Belgium. So instead of their fans booking tickets to next year's World Cup in Brazil, they are now holding their … [Read more...] about Croatia 99% playoff bound
What’s at stake? (pt. 2)
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Barring a complete Belgian (or) Croatian collapse, the Vatreni will be a seeded team in November's UEFA playoff draw for the 2014 World Cup. In FIFA's latest rankings, Croatia dropped two spots to #10, which still keeps them in front of some pretty tough competition. Teams will still shift around with the last round of qualifiers in the next week, but as it stands, this would … [Read more...] about What’s at stake? (pt. 2)
HNL Week 12
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Results for Oct. 4-6, 2013 GNK DINAMO ZAGREB 1 - 0 HNK RIJEKA Dinamo Zagreb temporarily interrupted Rijeka’s Cinderella story on Sunday by dominating play and scoring a last-second goal to take all three points. Rijeka has been turning into the darlings of the HNL during what could be their strongest season to date. The club is just coming off an … [Read more...] about HNL Week 12
Rijeka earn draw with Betis, Dinamo fall apart in Bulgaria
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In Rijeka's first ever European home match, Leon Benko and company got Kantrida rocking early as he volleyed home a cross from eight yards out in the 10th minute of play to give Rijeka a 1-0 lead. However, it wouldn't last long against La Liga's Real Betis as a failed clearance attempt gave Cedric a second chance at goal in the 14th minute. From just outside the box, the Betis … [Read more...] about Rijeka earn draw with Betis, Dinamo fall apart in Bulgaria
Champions League Day 2
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Mario Mandžukić was given the night off, staying on the bench, as Bayern Munich steam rolled Manchester City 3-1 Wednesday night in Manchester. Goals from Ribery, Muller and Robben gave reigning Champions League title holders Bayern complete control before Alvaro Negredo added a late 79th minute goal to break up the shutout. With the win, Bayern lead Group D by three … [Read more...] about Champions League Day 2
Goodbye, Nikica Jelavić…
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Well, at least until 2014. Croatian striker Nikica Jelavić was benched Monday night for 20 year-old Chelsea loaner Romelu Lukaku. After only one assist and zero goals in the first five games of the season, Jelavić rode the pine Monday night as Everton defeated Newcastle United 3-2. But what's more important is what his replacement, Lukaku, did. The future Belgian star … [Read more...] about Goodbye, Nikica Jelavić…
HNK Week 11
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Results for Sept. 27-29, 2013 NK ZADAR 0 - 0 GNK DINAMO ZAGREB Zadar could be celebrating as if they were victorious, because well, in a sense, they were. The team that has barley hung on to first-division status for several years in a row has shut down the mighty Dinamo Zagreb in front of 3,000 at Stadion Stanovi. Dinamo created chance after … [Read more...] about HNK Week 11
Croatians Around Europe *VII*
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SPAIN Ivan Rakitic started for Sevilla in their 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad on Saturday. He picked up a yellow card in the 55th minute of an otherwise quiet performance from Ivan. On Wednesday however, Ivan had one of his best matches of the season, scoring on a penalty in the 17th minute and a fine free kick in the 53rd as Sevilla went on to win 4-1 over Rayo Vallecano. … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *VII*
