Germany
Mladen Petrić didn’t forget to bring his scoring boots to the game on Sunday as he put two in the back of the net to help Hamburg stay in title contention with a 2-1 win over Hannover. Petrić apparently couldn’t wait to get started as he volleyed in a cross-field lob only seconds into the game. It was definitely one of Mladen’s better goals this season.
Petrić secured his double with an ‘Ivica Olić rebound goal’ midway through the second half. It wasn’t as nice as his first goal but it got Hamburg the win. Speaking of Olić, he was subbed into the game with 15 minutes left but didn’t receive a solid chance on net as Hannover were pushing hard to tie the game. Hamburg currently sit in third place but only three points behind leaders Wolfsburg, with six games left to play.
ŠIMUNIĆ PLAYING ROUGH AGAINST BREMEN
Josip Šimunić scored a beautiful header off a cross to tie up the game late for Hertha Berlin in their Sunday matinee against Werder Bremen. With Hertha desperately needing to claim maximum points to stay in title contention, Šimunić came through like no other. Hertha ultimately won the game in the 87′ when the Bremen defense committed a fatal error in losing the ball deep in their own zone. Hertha Berlin now sit in fourth and five points behind leaders Wolfsburg on the scoring power of unlikely candidate, Mr. Joe Šimunić.
ŠIMUNIĆ IS PUMPED UP!
Marko Babić was not included in Hertha Berlin’s squad for this match.
ŠIMUNIĆ’S BEAUTIFUL HEADER
Ivan Rakitić rode the pine the entire game for Schalke in their 4-0 dismantling of Energie Cottbus. There’s only six more games for Rakitić with Schalke this season before he can test the European transfer market this summer.
England
Luka Modrić and Vedran Ćorluka had an easy day against Newcastle United as Tottenham won 1-0. The Spurs dominated the entire match and gave Newcastle very few chances. Modrić ran the field well and put a nice ball into the box which lead to Tottenham’s goal. Luka once again received ‘Man of the Match’ honors. I know I say this every week; but Luka is becoming the real deal in the Premiership. I can’t wait to watch him play with the experience he now has next season.
Ćorluka basically had the day off as Newcastle couldn’t do anything offensively. However, Ćarli did miss a couple of easy passes during the game. It’s not a big deal but will only add to his reputation lately of not giving 100% while playing in England.
Tottenham now sits on 44 points with only five games left. They are one point behind West Ham for a 2009-10 Europa League spot. The Spurs have caught fire winning six of their last eight and should finish the season strong giving West Ham and Fulham trouble for the right to play in Europe.
Niko Kranjčar had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher Saturday afternoon after he appeared to have rolled his ankle after a bad tackle. Reports say that it is not that serious and Niko should be back in a few weeks. There is no danger to his availability for Ukraine in June.
Moments after the Kranjčar injury, Portsmouth scored an all-important goal to beat Bolton 1-0. Pompey can now breath a sigh of relief as they seem to have beat relegation worries- for the time being.
DROGBA CELEBRATING AFTER THE MATCH
Eduardo was merely a spectator in Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea in a FA Cup semifinal match at Wembley on Saturday. Even though Eduardo was an available substitute but not used earlier in the week against Villareal, it’s a surprise to me that Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, did not utilize ‘Dudu’ in the same role against Chelsea.
I think it’s now safe to say that we shouldn’t expect much more from Eduardo this season. Wenger looks to be keeping him sharp in practice sessions but ultimately saving Eduardo for next season. Every time ‘Dudu’ makes a recovery he seems to pick up another injury.
ARSENAL VS. CHELSEA FA CUP HIGHLIGHTS
France
Jerko Leko converted a penalty kick for Monaco’s first goal in their 3-1 win over Stade Rennes on the weekend. He also added a yellow card to his match resume- no surprise there. With six games left in the French season, Monaco should end up in the middle of the pack without a chance to play in Europe next season.
Nikola Pokrivač came into the game in the 88′ only to witness Monaco’s final goal in injury time first hand. Dario Šimić was not included in the roster for this match. He sat out last week’s game due to a red card suspension.
LEKO’S GUTSY PEANLTY KICK
Ivan Klasnić was left out of Nantes’ squad for their 2-0 win against Nice. ‘Killer’ could have been taking care of some legal business regarding doctors at his old club, Werder Bremen. KLASNIĆ LAWSUIT.
Thank you Ivica for bringing this to our attention. You are the first member to break the CSR v2.0 plateau.
Italy
Ivan Jurić and Genoa couldn’t keep the magic going as they lost to Lazio 1-0. Genoa played without star striker, Diego Milito, which accounted for them not being able to finish attacks. Lazio scored on a quickly devised counter-attack and Genoa couldn’t respond with numerous chances. Luckily for Genoa, Fiorentina was beaten by Udinese and still trail Genoa by two points for the final Champion’s League spot.
Jurić played well once again and received yet another yellow card for a late tackle. His role for Genoa is to roam the midfield while enforcing his presence. He creates contact with the opposition on nearly every play. Although he has yet to play a ‘real competitive’ game with Croatia, I doubt he will be able to mirror his role for Croatia as international football demands for more of a ‘bunkered defense’.
Will Jurić get a starting spot over Vukojević against Ukraine in June?
Russia
Is there trouble in Moscow? Stipe Pletikosa’s new manager benched him in Spartak’s 2-0 win over Terek Grozny. We’ll have to wait until next week to find out if this was a one-time occurance or if Pletikosa is officially Spartak’s backup.
Ivica Križanac and Zenit St. Petersburg managed a 1-1 away draw to Lokomotiv Moscow. Križanac received a yellow card early in the second half and was subbed out of the game in the 85′. As most leagues in Europe are approaching the end of the season, Russia is only five games into theirs. Defenders need to stay well rested and out of card trouble early in the season. It’s a marathon, not a race!
Ukraine
Darijo Srna received ‘Man of the Match’ in Shakhtar’s 2-1 win over city rival, Metalurg Donetsk. Shakhtar seems to be heating up at the right time even though they are stuck in second place; 12 points behind leaders, Dynamo Kyiv, with only six games left. Even though Shakhtar will not catch Dynamo for the Ukrainian league title this year, they will have a shot at their hated rivals when the two face off in the UEFA Cup semifinals on April 30th and May 7th.
Ognjen Vukojević and Goran Sablić played the entire game for Dynamo Kyiv as they were shocked by Kryvbas Krivyi Rig 2-1. It looks as if Dynamo is getting lazy towards the end of the season, but this is only a small bump in the road for them as they have basically locked up their 13th Ukrainian Premier League title. They are 12 points up on Shakhtar Donetsk with only six games left to play.
Greece
RUKAVINA’S RIDE. ZAGREB PLATES?
Mario Galinović and Ante Rukavina had the weekend off as Greek football took a break before they wrap up the season next Sunday. Panathinaikos must win against OFI Crete and pray for a PAOK Salonika loss or draw next week to gain a 2009-10 Champion’s League spot.
So what was Ante Rukavina doing with some free time this weekend? He was busy getting drunk driving charges slapped on him in Šibenik. Police reports said that Rukavina blew a 0.61. I’m not sure if Europe is on a different ‘Blood Alcohol Level’ than the States, but if Ante did in fact blow a 0.61 while driving; he’s insane! Is Rukavina depressed that Bilić won’t give him a call up and is taking it out on bottles of booze? Don’t look for Rukavina to be driving in Croatia anytime soon as his license has been suspended.
Netherlands
Danijel Pranjić sat out Heerenveen’s 2-1 loss at FC Utrecht for receiving a red card in last week’s game. Heerenveen is slowly crumbling as they now sit fourth in the Dutch Eredivisie. Will Pranjić be back next season though?
Next Matches:
4/20
Lens@Montpellier
4/21
Arsenal@Liverpool
4/22
Portsmouth@Manchester United, Werder Bremen@Hamburg (German Cup), Heerenveen@FC Volendam (Dutch Cup)
4/23
Espanyol@Sporting Gijon
4/24
Hertha Berlin@Hoffenheim, Bastia@Lens
4/25
Tottenham@Manchester United, Hamburg@Borussia Dortmund, Schalke@Bayern Munich, Karlsruhe@Bayer Leverkusen, Twente Enschede@Heerenveen, FC Khimki@Zenit, Spartak Moscow@FK Rubin Kazan, Trabzonspo @Sivasspor, Roeslare@Dender
4/26
Middlesbrough@Arsenal, Genoa@Bologna, Monaco@Le Mans, Nantes@Nancy, Sporting Gijon@Atletico Madrid, OFI Crete@Panathinaikos,
~Ante Kvartuč, still reporting from Lansdowne Road
VladYes, you are right. Didulica quit the national team because he wasn’t used in so many matches. A foreigner that he is(Australian born) got a taste of Croatian politics and quickly ran for the exit.
Croatiafan:)Mandza and Kalinic will continue to get called up until they are sold by Dinamo and Hajduk. So with Olic, Petric and Eduardo guaranteed spots if healthy, this only leaves one spot open for another striker, and if Slaven takes Klasnic, there will be no room for change.
Runje has almost single handedly taken Lens to the top of the french second division. Most keepers hit their prime at 30 years of age. 33 is not old for a keeper. Obviously, I would prefer to have a Casillas, who started for Spain and Real Madrid at an early age, however, at Croatia this isn’t possible.
With Pletikosa looking ever so closer to retirement, Runje deserves the #1 and after a great season in France first division next year, a start in next years World Cup(assuming we qualify)
RE: Vlad
I didn’t actually know that about Didiluca – but that can change if Bilic started showing an interest in him. Many players quit then come back. I think if we really need Ante Seric in a crisis he would probably come back as well. In the left back slot as back up Seric and Pamic both look better and fitter than a 6 months back when they were playing no football.
Re: Denis
The only reason i side with Runje being dropped as 33 is really the age where players normally starting to get on a bit. Runje should have been in squad in 2002 and 2004. I’m a Dinamo fan and i always thought Runje was much better than Tomislav Butina who took his place for so long.
Regards Keric i can’t stand this mentality of Kalinic and Mandza being included as they barely ever score in HNL1. 14 goals from Kalinic is nothing special and 10 by Mandza is even worse. We should reward the form players during each squad and not be looking at people that are doing nothing special. Also that 5th striking position is for a player who won’t get played unless theres loads of injuries. Kalinic has in fact not played a minute of football for Croatia since Euro 2008 against Poland so what’s the point in him being there. Meanwhile the Under 21 side is full out Osijek and Varteks players. Keric meanwhile looks a decent player and has had a excellant month and should be rewarded just like Ruki should have been when he was actually doing well rather than now when his season is over soon, he’s getting in troubles and at a club where he plays less and less time. Regards Knezevic i’d put him as last option on the pile of defenders selected, but if not him would take Vejic. When both fit they are similar standard – although Vejic has even less pace and is knocking on a bit.
croatiafan: didiluca never got the boot he quit, bc croatia for some stupid reason never gave him a chance, for some reason pletikosa who wasent even playing any soccer at the time, was playing instead of didiluca, politics, once didiluca show what was going on he said f**k this and quit, as woud I
Croatiafan I agree with you regarding Runje “he should have been selected back in the old days when he was a star in Belgium and at Marsielle.”
Runje never had a chance with Croatia, and failed to come through for Croatia at Israel in Euro 2008 Qualifiers.
Galinovic and Didulica also both deserve a shot.
Pletikosa has sucked abroad, however, has managed to do well with the national team. He comunicated well with the defense and rarely makes a mistake…. However, I think Croatia is in desperate need of a change. Pleti seems to have lost a step and isn’t doing anything for Moscow.
On the other hand, Runje is keeping Lens in first. Without Runje, Lens are a top-mid table team.
I would have Runje to start, with Galinovic and Didulica starting the next two friendlies.
We all know Subasic will be the #3, Hajduk is pushing for this so they can sell. Subasic wont start until after the world cup at the earliest. So with Subasic, there is only room for 2. Which 2?
Knezevic hasnt played for Juve all year. Even though we are thin in defense, he doen’s deserve a call.
Andrej Keric is also a good choice, however, there is no room for him. Kalinic, Mandza will continue to be included because of Dinamo and Hajduk pressure. Both clubs will want to sell during this summer transer window.
This is where a foreign manager will help Croatia. There will be no more pressure from Hajduk or Dinamo, and there will be no more room for Mandza, Kalinic or Subasic as neither deserve a first team place.
Rest of your squad looks good.
always a pleasure discussing Croatian football
Re: Denis
I also put Knezevic and Robert Kovac in as i think Vejic and Drpic are not really very experienced at the highest level. Plus Vejic is very slow and Drpic has a clanger in him.
Other than that the squad respresents our most in form players which is why Andrej Keric is there and not Kalinic, Mandza, Bilic or Ruki.
RE Denis: wasn’t it also harsh though that Josip Didiluca got the boot from the squad just cos of injuries. I like Runje, but he should have been selected back in the old days when he was a star in Belgium and at Marsielle. I think personally Didiluca is a more competent keeper than Runje and has not really done much wrong in the small number of games he played for us, whereas people seem to worry about Runje whenever Pleti is injured. Personally i think Runje is one of those players like Mate Bilic who is never gonna get a proper chance. Didiluca is about two years younger than Runje and may have more of a chance of taking Pletikosa’s jersey plus Galinovic. Arguably having Pletikosa, Subasic and Runje there is like a pecking order of keepers which everyone will normally pick Pletikosa – but if Galinovic and Didiluca are there then really they are both as good or better than Pletikosa. Just makes for better competition that’s all really – plus if Pletikosa is back on bench at club level long term then we prob need a new number 1.
Didiluca is first choice at Dutch Champions AZ Alkmaar so that’s really why i think he prob plays higher level than Runje – although Runje is at a big club that got relegated so i don’t actually recognise his second division status as Lens will be back in mid table in Ligue 1 next season.
CroatiafanNo Vedran Runje in your squad? wow, a litle harsh dont you think? Without Runje, Lens is a mid-table division 2 french team… and yes, 2nd division France is better than Croatian 1st league…
A call for Sablic isnt a terrible idea, considering that he plays in ukraine..
Tom from WinnipegI have to agree with Ante, not much interest in HNL… As the season gets closer to the end, Ante and I will continue to bring you news as it happens..
Great story from Vlad on HNL keeper getting looks… However, it looks like just another marketing scheme, as Croatians have always been known for their keepers that are know “to read Ronaldo, Kaka, Torres.” What is the greatest keeper to ever come out of the Balkans?
dinamofan said it the best “Croatia needs a strong Dinamo, Hajduk, Rijeka, Belupo, Varteks, Zagreb and Osijek for the HNL to be of any interest.”
However, as a Hajduk fan, I still have hope on the future of the league and Croatian football “on main street not wall street”
Hello Tom, i agree on selling of players spoling clubs chances, but i think the selling goes over the top though. Cos okay right you can understand like Dinamo selling Vukojevic, Corluka, Eduardo, Modric, Cale to progress their careers but then you see Gordon Schildenfeld being sold when its not in his interest to go or the clubs to let him go. Dinamo didn’t need to money and its this wholesale transfer policy which rips Croatian clubs apart every summer. As i say i don’t mind the major playerss going but to see every half decent player moving is frustrating.
At Hajduk i think its gonna be hard to keep Kalinic, Ibricic and Gabric as they are ready to step up to the next level, but i don’t think Hajduk should grant any one else a transfer such as Srdjan Andric who has had a fine season and maybe might attract some Greek or Russian club, but Hajduk should say no. If players like Andric go Hajduk will be a mess next season – but if they just sell their major major stars only then they can replace them with the money they recieve or from within i.e Tomasov or Ticinovic. This summer there is plenty of Croatian players available on free transfers so hopefully they’ll return back home and improve the league. Croatia needs a strong Dinamo, Hajduk, Rijeka, Belupo, Varteks, Zagreb and Osijek for the HNL to be of any interest.
RE: Croatian Prva Liga, lament for Croatian soccer
Hi guys. Yeah, I too have heard the corruption rumours. In fact, like you, I believe they’re probably a lot more than just rumours.
I dunno, I suppose there’s a part of me that simply chooses to disregard that stuff. If my late father didn’t have an attachment to Hajduk dating back to the days before he fled Jugoslavija as a young man, I probably wouldn’t either. In fact, my mother recently told me she actually went to a Hajduk vs Dinamo game in Zagreb after she’d left Dalmacija in her teens following WWII.
Anyway, I digress. As crazy as it sounds, I long for the days when Hajduk competed in the Champions League, not simply struggled to make it past the first qualifying round. I long for a new “zlatni generation,” knowing full well it is highly unlikely one will ever come along again. After all, how can a team compete at that level when it consistently loses its best players following every successful season?
Tom
just read an intersting article about a 16 year old kid thats a goalie for inter zapresic, he’s suposely the next big goalie to come out of croatia, benfica almost bought him last year, though i think dinamo or hajduk will buy him this summer. I read it in index hr
Hello Tom. My opinion on Croatia Sesvete is that it is not a team which has been put together properly. If you look on the incomings and outgoings of that club they seemed to have changed the whole playing staff over which really doesn’t help. Its also not a club which has been in the top flight for a long time. They even have been attracting decent players like Stjepan Jukic who didn’t want to stay in Osijek who are a more stable outfit and not really got much out of them.
I don’t catch the matches only the goals and reports and its disappointing to here Sesvete were so bad as i thought that Slepicka hatrick meant he was coming good, but if its just against a poor side i guess i’ll still hold judgement on him.
I think the enthuasiam might have gone out of many Croats deeply supporting domestic sides as the best players always go every year so its hard to hope for anything much. Take this season Hajduk may win the league but allow the whole team to transfer which could even include Vejic, Seric besides Subasic, Andric, Gabric, Ibricic and Kalinic so its kinda hard to get enthusiastic unfortunately.
@ Tow in Winnipeg,
We’re naturally going to start talking about Hajduk and Dinamo more as the season nears an end and the two teams approach the final game with the Prva Liga title to play for.
I don’t know if you have caught on to mine and Denis’ thoughts on the Croatian Prva Liga- but we’re not the biggest fans. You can call us cynical; but we believe the mafia control more of what happens than the players do.
But you will be hearing more of it. I promise you at least that!
RE: Hajduk’s title chase
Dinamo looked like they were playing against a bunch of complete amateurs in their win yesterday against last place Croatia Sesvete (based on what I saw in the highlight reel.)
I know stranger things have happened but anything less than three points, and three or four goals, against that same Croatia Sesvete team for Hajduk this coming weekend would be an absolute joke.
While I’m on the topic, can I make a request? I know the intent of the site is to focus on Croatians playing in Europe, but is there any way you could devote more space to the day-to-day news surrounding Hajduk and Dinamo?
All the best,
Tom in Winnipeg
I’ve been quite impressed by Jerko Leko’s form over the past fortnight. I think all those players Juric, Vukojevic, Leko and Pokrivac can be trusted.. doesn’t greatly matter which one plays.. although Juric and Vukojevic have had the best seasons. Leko has the best shot and when running with the ball, but really can cover right midfield so is great to have on bench. I can’t see his place under threat. Galinovic for Pletikosa is simple switch. If Pletikosa holds his place then that’s fine, but think really Galinovic should be tried. Didiluca also got his place back at new Dutch champions. Is he still a possibility?
Great to see Petric score. Is a bit annoying when he keeps looking world class one week and like he can’t be bothered the next.
Rukavina news is not good. I’m not one of those who advocate his inclusion in the national team. He had two months of good form, but seen nothing of him for a while. I watch Sporting Gijon and sadly looks like Mate Bilic is just falling short of being International and Premira Liga standard which is a shame as he is a good professional and worked really hard this season.
Not seen much in terms of goals from Kalinic or Mandzukic. Are they still gonna keep their places on this form. Drago Gabric looks like he’s got no intention of losing his Croatia squad position. I think one of those two out of Kalinic and Mandzukic are gonna miss out of squad next game. Personally i’d drop both of them and select Andrej Keric. My opinion on needing Mandzukic due to his strength and heading ability doesn’t really hold whilst Klasnic is in the squad and will choose Klasnic over Mandzukic.
My Next Croatia squad:)
Keepers: Galinovic, Pletikosa, Didiluca
Defenders: Sablic, Krizanac, Cale, Corluka, Simunic, R Kovac, Knezevic
Midfielders: Srna, Leko, Juric, Kranjcar, Modric, Vukojevic, Pokrivac, Gabric, Rakitic, Pranjic
Strikers: Dudu, Olic, Petric, Klasnic, Keric
Pletikosa benched? That’s not good.
Finally time for Galinovic maybe?