England
Niko Kranjčar had another good game as his Portsmouth side stunned Everton 2-1 with a late Peter Crouch goal. Kranjčar flipped the ball into the box which led to Pompey’s first goal. Niko’s stock is still rising as he plans to leave the club in the summer for a better opportunity. Does anyone think Kranjčar will stay with Portsmouth past this season?
With this win, Portsmouth has temporarily delayed any relegation worries.
Eduardo was part of the bench Saturday evening but never used as a substitute in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United. Looks like Eduardo is all healed up with his latest leg injury. The next chance he will get to play is against Manchester City on April 4th. Expect so see ‘Dudu’ on the pitch!
FOR A FULL REPORT ON LUKA MODRIĆ, VEDRAN ĆORLUKA AND TOTTENHAM, click here.
Germany
ŠIMUNIĆ FEELING ALONE AFTER HERTHA’S LOSS
Josip Šimunić and Marko Babić were stunned in Stuttgart as the home side beat current German leaders, Hertha Berlin, 2-0. Babić couldn’t muster up anything in the first half and was subbed out at halftime. Šimunić played his usual 90 minutes, yellow card free, but lost a crucial header that lead to Stuttgart’s first goal. Not entirely his fault but most days he would take care of that ball in the air.
With this loss, Hertha remains in first by only one point. Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich and Hamburg are all right behind Berlin for the BundesLiga title.
Hamburg were without Croatian duo Ivica Olić and Mladen Petrić in their match against Schalke and fellow Croat, Ivan Rakitić. Petrić is still out after tearing his thigh muscle in last week’s game. I was a bit surprised Olić did not play but did read in a few articles that he was very tired after Thursday’s UEFA Cup match in Turkey. Does anyone know 100% why Olić didn’t play? Hamburg are now only one point behind leaders Hertha Berlin.
Ivan Rakitić only played the first 60 minutes for Schalke as they ultimately lost 2-1 to Hamburg. Less and less playing time for Raki is not helping him at all as he should be moving clubs this summer.
Check out the scuffle in net after Schalke scores. Simply hilarious!
Dino Drpić played the entire game for Karlsruhe in their 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich. Karlsruhe sit by themselves at the bottom of the BundesLiga table waiting to be officially relegated. Where will Drpić play next season now that he’ll be playing with the Croatian national team?
Russia
Ivica Krizanac scored a beautiful bicycle kick goal in the 9th minute to put Zenit St. Petersburg up early. I didn’t think the guy had it in him. It’s even harder to do with a defender on your back like that.
If Petrić and Olić keep disappointing up front for Croatia, we can always put Križanac up there to see what he can do with Eduardo. Zenit won the game 2-1.
Stipe Pletikosa let a goal go by in Spartak Moscow’s 1-0 loss to Kuban Krasnodar. With absolutely no offense and only one goal in two games, Spartak hasn’t started the way they had planned this season.
I apologize as I could not find a video for this game. However, here is Stipe’s penalty save over the weekend.
Ukraine
Darijo Srna scored a very nice free kick for Shakhtar Donetsk as they squeezed by Vorskla Poltava 1-0. The shot completely froze the goalie as it started dipping once it cleared the wall. Bravo Darijo!
THANK YOU ADRIEN FOR THE VIDEOS
Ognjen Vukojević and his Dynamo Kyiv side cruised by Arsenal Kyiv on March 23rd with a 3-0 win.
France
Ivan Klasnić was said to have had his most disappointing performance yet in a Nantes jersey by French media. They completely tore him up as Nantes lost 2-0 to Marseille.
For all of you who can’t wait for ‘Killer’ to return to the Croatian squad, do you still feel the same way?
Vedran Runje once again posted a shutout in Lens’ 0-0 draw with Guingamp. Lens will be promoted to French Ligue 1 next season as they currently sit in first in the second division. Runje has been playing exceptionally; can he be bought by a much larger club around Europe?
The Croatian triplets of Dario Simić, Nikola Pokrivač and Jerko Leko played the entire match for Monaco in their 1-0 win over AS Nancy. There are no goals or bookings to report for the Croatians, but it is nice to hear that the three of them got a chance to play with each other for a full game.
Earlier in the week, Monaco was ousted from the Coupe de France competition by a 2-0 loss to Grenoble. Pokrivač was the only Croat to play in that game.
Greece
Mario Galinović, Ante Rukavina and Panathinaikos slipped up against Asteras Tripoli in a 1-1 draw. Panathinaikos’ defense completely fell asleep as Galinović was not at fault for the goal. Rukavina was once again subbed in late (85′) and could not do anything with the few minutes he was given on the pitch.
What does the Greek coach expect from Rukavina? He gives him 3-5 minutes to play every game. At least give the kid a solid 15 minutes to establish his presence on the field between him and his teammates. Panathinaikos are now being pressured by two other teams for that last Champion’s League spot.
Italy
Ivan Jurić and Genoa keep on rolling as they easily cruised past a 10-man Udinese club, 2-0. This is Genoa’s second shutout in a row that Jurić has contributed to. He didn’t even receive a yellow card in this game.
Genoa sit by themselves in fourth place; two points in front of Fiorentina and four points behind AC Milan. The top four teams from Italy receive a Champion’s League spot for next season; can Genoa hold on?
Netherlands
Danijel Pranjić and Heerenveen were upset 2-0 by second to last place team in the Erdivisie, De Graafschap. Heerenveen has been stuck in fourth position the entire season and do not look like they will lock up a Champion’s League spot for next season. Is it officially time for Pranjić to get out of there?
Next Matches:
ALL CLUB TEAMS WILL BE TAKING A TWO WEEK BREAK IN ORDER TO RETURN PLAYERS TO THEIR INTERNATIONAL SQUADS. CLUB COMPETITION WILL RESUME THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 3RD.
I have created a Croatian Soccer group on Facebook if anyone is interested in joining it
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134729040065
Does this mean Vrucina is ahead of Rukavina and Bilic in the pecking order or just that strange coincidence that seems to happen where only HNL players are always called up when players get injured. If 4 are not able to play i wander who else is getting the call? I imagine Anas Sharbini will be one of them.
@ Steve V. & Matt,
Yes Vrucina is in because Olic, Mandza, Pranjic, and Klasnic are all doubtful to play while Petric is obviously out.
Here is the story in Croatian:
http://www.net.hr/sport/page/2009/03/24/0236006.html
@ Slavonac,
I don’t understand what you mean by “they will surf croatian football fans?”
@ Adrien,
I have heard nothing of this Oman friendly. So I’m calling it BS for now unless something funny happens later this week.
Were English press replying to what FIFA put up in Croatia’s schedule or was this something purely different?
Happy to help Ante.
Have we confirmed that the Oman friendly is bs? English press were mentioning it today.
zdarvo ever1,
i think olic will be available for the match since i heared he only “suffers” a chill.
btw, has somebody heared anything from http://www.hnslatest.com? i just came through it by surfing goal.com and was wondering what they will surf croatian football fans?
looks like pranjic, mandzukic, olic, petric are out
Looks like Bojan Vručina is getting the call. I like it.
That’s weak.
Ivica Olic was out because of a cold.