The streets around Zagreb Arena were alive, as fans poured in to watch #14 Croatia play #4 Russia. With an unsuccessful resume in futsal thus far, Many never thought that the Croatians would make it this far.
Written by Matt ‘TheGoldenChild’ Lebo
@SportsFile
The mini Vatreni were riding a wave of confidence after their spectacular shootout victory against #8 Ukraine, and were looking to ride that wave into the finals. That wave came crashing down 35 seconds into the match, as Russian Dmitri Prudnikov deftly put the ball into the back of the net to send the Russians up 1-0. With a silent crowd and a shaken opponent, it was only a matter of minutes until the high pressure from the Russians paid off. Brazilian born Russian Cirilo slipped through the shaky Croatian defense and slotted another one in to put the Russians up 2-0. The Croatians looked shell shocked and the continuous pressure, lack of ball control, and a silent crowd were not helping their cause. The Russians put another goal in right before half, and the Vatreni went into the locker room down 3 and looking for a prayer to be answered.
@SportsFile
The beginning of the second half painted even a bleaker picture for the Croatians, as the Russians put in another goal only a minute into the match. Young star Dario Marinovic had jut about enough, and was able to finally get the ball under control on the Russian half of the field. Needing to test the keeper, Marinovic sent in a spinning toe punt just outside the box that caught the sleeping Russian keeper off guard. They finally had a point, but the celebration was short lived and the Russians went right back to a stifling defensive formation. With little success on the offensive front, Croatian coach Matko Stankovic replaced his keeper with an extra attacker at the 5 minute mark. The extra man breathed some new life into the Croatian attack, and Dario Marinovic was again able to put another weak goal passed Gustavo. Only down by 2, the fans came to their feet to try to push their side to another fairy tale ending. Croatia’s luck had run out though, as the offensive push saw them hit 3 posts and miss out on a trip to the finals.
Photo: Drago Sopta/CroPix
In the end, the Vatreni should be happy with what they were able to do this tournament. Finishing first in group stage, beating a very strong Ukrainian team, and competing with #4 Russia is a huge accomplishment for a team that hasn’t done much of anything in the past. With a team relying on young stars like Dario Marinovic and Franko Jelovcic, the Vatreni should only be getting better as an even younger generation brings in a more exciting and educated style of futsal. We will most likely see an Adriatic battle on Sunday for the Bronze as Spain is up 1-0 against Italy.
Croatia-Russia All Goals
where you from in Dalmacija?
@Slavonac…..agreed, I like this sport and I like playing it. I’ve played in some of the summer tourneys in the selos in Dalmacija. Always fun, but also very intense when you get guys involved who really need the money.
I was only pointing out that not much will change in Croatian regarding this sport despite the success of hosting the euros.
@IvicA, are those Brazilians on the Italian team of Italian descent?
It’s hilarious to me how the announcers can call those two black guys “Russians” with a straight face. LOL! Imagine a Russian on a Nigerian team, and the announcer calling him “the Nigerian”. LOL!
Ziva – regardless if they have money or not…its a great sport for all…and…it helps in development of skills
There is no money in Croatia for this sport. Look at the HNL, most of the teams in that league are running on fumes and unable to pay players on a regular basis. If the outdoor game can’t make it, there is no chance the futsal game will emerge from its current level. You can’t make a living by just playing futsal. I know plenty of guys back home who play in the league, have a full time job and in the summer months go whoring around selo to selo playing in the summer cash tournaments.
It was only a few years that the savez wouldn’t even cover the airfare for the futsal national team to a tourney in Brazil. Guys had to pay out of their own pocket.
@ Ziva – regarding coaches not liking their players involved in it? I’m not sure about that but I do know in south america almost all players play or have played…it is great for ball control but I think there is a major difference between veliki and mali nogomet…you can be great at one but it doesn’t mean you’ll be great at the other.
@ mali HRVAT – I dont think its a training aid for any team but its definitely a great way to help improve skills…learning to keep the ball while holding your head up, dribbling in small areas….definitely a great tool!
well the sport is already popular over there, almost ever village in Croatia has a summer futsal tournament. The only problem in terms of developing the NT, is that 90% of the players just play it during the summer when the soccer leagues are on break
I think this is a good sport to improve individual skill, but there are a number of pro coaches who don’t like their players involved in this. They claim it doesn’t help them.
Do Croatian youth utilize the game as a training aid for soccer?
Although it is a fun game, I see it as a great way to improve dribbling and control. I bought a Futsal ball for my kids for when we play on basketball courts.
IvicA – wow…interesting…I met the Italian national team both in 88 and 91…they were definitely all Italian when I met them…super good guys too!
Mark – sorry man but no i dont! I have never met a cro futsal player from hrvatska…while I was playing I dont think it caught on just yet…I quit playing futsal by 1996.
@ Slavonac
Do you happen to know Sinisa Alebic? I think he was a member of the the national Cro team in the late 90’s, early 2000’s. If not, I’m sure you know him through the annual Labor Day tournaments. He played for Adria Chicago.
I never met a 2-pack a day smoker who can run like that guy.
@ Slavonac
Well, it’s from wikipedia, so I don’t know for sure, but judging by the fact that HALF of their current squad (Assis, Lima, Honorio, Vampeta, Patias, Fortino, Forte) are all Brazilian born and raised, then it might be true about that ’08 team being 100% Brazilian. If you don’t count the three goalies, there are only 3 out of 10 that are Italian on this current roster!
not that I’m some futsal expert, but I felt the coach should have taken out the goalkeeper earlier, at least with 5 minutes to go. I was watching one of the other games and the coaches took our their goalkeeper with 10 minutes to go
Down by 3 at that point, they had nothing to lose, they made it interesting at the end, but possibly they could have cut the lead sooner if they opted to use the extra man sooner
@ IvicA – are you sure about the Italy comment?
Meh. If we add a bunch of Brazilians on our squad like Russia and Italy do, we’ll be a perennial top-4 team.
I didn’t realize this, but when Italy’s futsal team won bronze in the futsal worlds in 2008, their ENTIRE roster was Brazilian, lol.
This is a perfect example of losing with OUR players, than winning with rented ones.
Yes, Croatia played much better in the second half, but in defense of Russians, they literally opted to play defense instead of play two-way soccer. They were up 4-0 early in the second half. They sat back and let Croatia (try) to do their thing. Russia averaged only 1 Goal Against them coming into this match. I think they were pretty confident in their own defense that they would not allow more than three goals in one half against Croatia…who isn’t that spectacular on offense anyways.
Quote from coach Stankovic—
“Who knows what would have happened if the game lasted longer? Regarding possession of the ball and the number of shots, we were better than the Russians. We played an equal match. If they (Russia) would have destroyed us, it would be easier to take. It’s not easy to squeeze Russia, but congratulations to them because they were better ”
Nice to finally see a Croatian coach have a good attitude after the loss. Obviously Croatia over-performed during this tourney to make the 3rd place game. Russia is a much better team. We played well. Hot a few posts at the end.
Cest la Vie.
I played this game for quite a few years…actually there were a few of us Croats that had a team and we won the Canadian Champions (yes I know…the sport isnt popular but yes there was a Canadian Championship in London, ON). 2 of us Croats played in ’88 world cup in Australia and 4 of us played in the world cup in ’91 Milan, Italy! while in Australia we were crap…but learned a lot from a Paraguayan coach who trained us after they throttled us 11-1! the whole premise of this game is about ball movement, interchanging positions and set plays…I’ve seen some incredible teams and actually played against Russia in ’91…I hope the game catches on even more, its definitely exciting!
wtf Russia? Brazilian players? wow not fair!
@Slavonac
Pretty right on. Very one dimensional play from us down the wings. Teams need to create confusion or consistent skilled passes to get a defense like Russia off of their heels. Jelovcic and Marinovic were really the only guys, for me, that had the ability to go at their defenders one on one with skilled dribbling. When you play against opposition like that, everybody needs to be on the same page with movement and the ability to get past their defender.
This tourney was definitely huge for us. If our winters keep up like this every year, it’s going to foster a good batch of youngsters who will be forced to stay inside and play. 😉
The second half performance put up by the team was truly exceptional. You could see the team feeding off the crowd and that was a beautiful sight. Unfortunately for us, Russia has a near impenetrable defence and some very skilled players in Pula and Rijeka…I mean Cirilo.
This tournament has really piqued my interest in the sport and you bet I’m not the only one; this sport will increase in popularity in Croatia and I’m sure we will have a top 10 in coming years.
Marinovic for team of the tournament!
in futsal there are many many set plays and ways of planning attack. sometimes its what makes the difference from a well organized team vs a skilled team that doesn’t have the experience. I think Croatia should spend a little time in countries like Paraguay or Brazil to gain this experience. similar to how basketball is…by making set plays, setting picks, interchanging positions…
fun to watch. Good effort by our guys, but simply outmatched.
3 of the 4 teams in the Euro Futsal semifinals are ranked in the top-4 in the world.
Spain #1
Italy #3
Russia#4
Croatia is ranked #14…Russia is clearly a better team and it shows. They just don’t give up goals.
this is how Spain-Croatia might look like at Euro 2012! haha
Pretty ugly so far.
http://www.firstrowsports.eu/watch/106609/1/watch-croatia-vs-russia-(futsal).html
any links to the game?
russia has 2 brazilians. gej