Čilić does it again!
Marin Čilić – who is playing as an unranked player in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in over a decade – defeated #9 Roberto Bautista Agut in the 3rd Round of the Australian Open Friday afternoon in Melbourne. Čilić is currently ranked 39th in the world after having a miserable 2019 where he never made it to a single Grand Slam quarterfinal.
After a disappointing 1st set loss in a tiebreaker, Marin Čilić turned on the jets and looked liked the version of himself that got to the 2017 Wimbledon Final and the 2018 Australian Open Final against Bautista Agut. He was hitting all of his spots and got the job done in the 2nd set, winning 6-4. Then he went on an absolute tear. Čilić took down Bautista Agut 6-0 in the 3rd set in only 26 minutes. He looked absolutely invincible, winning a total of 11 games in row, going up a break in the 4th set. Everything looked to be in control until he was finally broken, gifting the Spaniard hope and the set in an eventual 7-5 win.
The Croatian started the 5th set on the right track, breaking Bautista Agut immediately. And he never looked back. This was Čilić’s second straight 5-set match so he already has a lot of mileage on his legs early on in the tournament. He will face the winner of the #6 Tsitsipas/#32 Raonic match in the Round of 16 Sunday.
This was the match Čilić needed to jump start his 2020 season. He still has the goods to be a top-10 player in the world as he quickly enters the twilight of his career at 31 years-old.
Vlasic and Brekalo fellas, they’re gonna have a big impact for us this Euro, possibly Bruno in that category too but certainly the former two
Hopefully Brekalo switches teams next year. He’ll still be good for us at the Euros. He’s the type to step up his play for his country.
Rakitić floundering at Barca is no big deal for us. This cements his position on the bench for us (where he belongs, behind Vlašić, Modrić and Brozović).
I was afraid of Dalić being too scared to stand up to his veteran players and benching them when the time has come.
He would likely have stuck with Mandžukić and Rakitić as starters, if it wasn’t for Mandžo retiring and Raketa bailing on our qualifiers and subsequently losing out on first team football at his club.
Vlašić and Bruno(or Krama) are the correct starting options.
I’m confident that we’ll do well these Euros, barring injury.
Brekalo gets another nod of confidence from the Wolfsburg coach. Josip failed to produce again in another bad loss for Wolfsburg.
Barcelona new coach, same disrespect to Rakitic. Barcelona fans hating on Rakitic this year, but even after signing Greaseball Barcelona not the same without workhorse Rakitic playing a primary role. F’em
Well, i got a couple down my pants is the thing
Iggy what’s the fascination with fuzzy balls?
I don’t know what Dinamo normally makes in a year
But with this sale and champions league
Has to be the most profitable year ever
“AC Milan are now focusing more on potential summer signings after missing out on Dani Olmo to RB Leipzig, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
TMW offered more information on the terms of the agreement, claiming that the Bundesliga leaders will pay a fixed fee of €35million, with €15m in achievable bonuses, for a total of €50m – plus a 25% sell on clause in favour of the Croatian side.”
Is this for real?
Dinamo could end up with 50 mill for Olmo on top of a future sell clause?
Vekic lost, sigh
looks like we’re counting on Cilic to make a run
Ante Rebic (7.5): For the second straight week the Croatian scored a crucial goal to give the Rossoneri all three points and a temporary leap to 6th in the table. Was very energetic off the bench and overall provided the necessary spark to uplift the team.
@Milos Hvar << this guy knows!
Milan almost goofs again by not STARTING Rebic. Luckily for Milan’s coach, his nice touch off a long ball resulted in a solid sequence that ended with another Rebic goal. Another game winner.
Seems like his “slump” was only a coaching error (poor bloke got sacked, and the 2nd coach was on his way out until he saw the light of the BZ/Rebic express.)
Rebic is a winner.
for those with shorter attention spans, here is a 1 minute video of the ending:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJTBBaZIIt8
lots of comments on the Cro – Nor game about how disgracefully referees favoured Norway. A lot of comments about us being robbed as per usual in many sports.
ie:
BeyerT1
BeyerT1
1 hour ago (edited)
The TRUTH has to be said, don’t you dare delete this comment, and everyone spam it:
The organizers of this Euro did everything in their power to destroy Croatia’s chances in this semi-final in the game and outside of it:
1) They didn’t allow Croatia to travel from Austria to Sweden a day early (even though they had time) and to get extra rest time like Norway had, instead they were forced to travel a day before the game. On top of that, the SCHEDULE was changed, the game between Croatia and Norway was supposed to happen at 20:30, but they moved it to 18:00 with 1 day notice, to reduce rest time for Croatia even more. Not to mention how many people who planned to travel to the game had their plane tickets ruined.
2) When our players came to Sweden, they were welcomed like criminals and not like professional sportsmen, the players didn’t even get massage tables for regeneration or basic equipment. Croatian physiotherapists had to massage players in the back of transport vans in this cold winter weather.
3) The refereeing in this game was one of the worst I can remember, such one-sided pushing for Norway the entire game, 5-6 GAME CHANGING “mistakes”, and loads of smaller ones to constantly give an edge to Norway. People who understand handball can understand.
This time you (the people in power of EU handball) didn’t win and manage to ruin it. We in Croatia are already used to being robbed in this sport for years, because we don’t have the influence like big countries, but this time you FAILED.
SHAME ON YOU EHF
I dont know enough about the sport to know but i wouldnt be surprised. Anyway, we won despite this garbage so Zivjela Hrvatska!
Rebić on in the 58th scores in 72nd! Amazing what happens when you give the man minutes! Italian hate media has to be dying inside! When you get a bečar from the selo like that hungry he will devour!
double overtime btw, incredible stuff, here are highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34Ym2Q6wRxQ
Cilic great news as I do recall that agut bloke had the wood on Marin
Croatia with ANOTHER last second win over Norway in the handball, beautiful stuff!
Good news you Tennis Wogs.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7924769/Bristol-City-target-Leicester-defender-Filip-Benkovic-Brendan-Rodgers-willing-loan-out.html
Looks like being Raonic.
Hopefully Tsitsipas doesnt bash his dad again this time lmao
I agree Coric isn’t worth mentioning btw Ante, hehe.
Really sorry for him, someone needs to sort him out.
For about 2.5 sets there, Cilic was out of this world, showed his class and power. Almost reminded me of 2018. He’ll play either Montenegran Raonic or Tstisipas in the next round. See how we go. Also best of luck to Donna.