England
EDUARDO CHIPPING AWAY FOR ARSENAL’S 2ND GOAL
Eduardo got a well-deserved start in place of injured striker Nicklas Bendtner Saturday afternoon and made the most of it in front of 29,000 at the Molineux Stadium as Arsenal made the trip to Wolverhampton. The first 20 minutes of the match looked bleak for the Gunners as Wolverhampton applied heavy pressure on a rain soaked night. It wasn’t until the 28′ when Eduardo forced a smart foul in the corner to give Arsenal a good look at goal. The following play resulted in a corner, which at first looked to be scored by Dudu, but on replay clearly shows going off Wolverhampton defender Ronald Zubar for the own goal. Eduardo refused to celebrate.
ARSENAL-WOLVERHAMPTON HIGHLIGHTS
It only took Eduardo seven more minutes to force another Wolves own goal as he found himself free on a 2v1 break away. Eduardo chipped the ball with the outside of his left foot only for it to be slightly deflected by defender Jody Craddock. Some may credit Eduardo with the goal, but the initial shot looked to be going wide. Nonetheless, Dudu was responsible for the first two Gunner goals even though his name was not seen on the scoresheet in the 4-1 win. Eduardo was subbed out in 71′ when the game was already out of hand. A fantastic game for our adopted Croatian as he is making a difference in the Premiership with his pesky play and great runs off ball.
ĆORLUKA UP TO HIS USUAL ANTICS
Vedran Ćorluka and Tottenham welcomed back former teammate Darren Bent to White Heart Lane as the Spurs took on Sunderland Saturday afternoon. Captain Robbie Keane quickly put Tottenham ahead in the 12′ with a lob from outside the box that he slotted through from close range. In this evenly matched affair, Bent had the opportunity to ‘stick it’ to his old team with a penalty in the 52′. Spurs goalie Heurelho Gomes read the kick perfectly to keep the game at 1-0.
Ćorluka made a fatal error in the match that almost cost Tottenham the game as he tried to head a ball back to Gomes. He didn’t get enough on it and as as a result Sunderland got a free look on goal only for Gomes to make another nice save. Ćorluka played the entire match even though it was not his best; although good enough for the clean sheet.
Niko Kranjčar came on as a 63rd minute sub and played very well in the last 30 minutes of the match. He has been an exceptional substitute for Tottenham since he arrived from Portsmouth in the late summer. Kranjčar was on the pitch for Huddlestone’s laser of a shot late in the 68′ to seal a 2-0 win for the Spurs. Tottenham currently sit in fourth position on the English Premier League table.
WHEN WILL MODRIĆ REJOIN TEAMMATES ON THE PITCH?
Luka Modrić was supposed to be close to returning to the Spurs lineup by now. He fractured his fibula in early September but there are no signs of a return. The earliest we should expect Modrić to be back is after the winter break.
Ivan Klasnić and Nikola Kalinić were not used off the bench for their respective teams on Saturday. Blackburn defeated Portsmouth 3-1 while Bolton couldn’t figure out a plan in their 5-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Germany
Take the money and run Danijel, take the money and run
Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 battled to a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon at the Allianz Arena with 69,000 fans in attendance. Both Ivan Rakitić and Danijel Pranjić were featured on their respective team’s roster, but neither man came off the bench during the match. Each man’s situation has become more and more desperate in the past few months.
PHOTO: muensterschezeitung.de, Ivan Rakitić
Rakitić, once viewed as a rising young talent at both the NT and club level, has been in the dog house for Schalke 04 for some time now. His development as a player has regressed significantly due to a lack of playing time and a poor attitude with his coaching staff. Ivan desperately needs a change of scenery, and is rumored to be on his way out along with several other teammates in the near future.
After a high profile move from SC Heerenveen, Pranjić hasn’t lived up to expectations with the Bavarian giants either and is unable to find a consistent spot on the roster. Bayern Munich should realize that acquring Pranjić was a big mistake and will more than likely be looking to sell him to another team soon before his stock drops any lower.
With Bundesliga games wrapped up for the weekend, Schalke 04 now sit 4th place while Bayern Munich are in 8th.
PHOTO: achtzehn99.de, Josip Šimunić
Josip Šimunić played the entire match for TSG Hoffenheim in a 2-1 loss to Vfl Wolfsburg at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena with 30,000 in attendence. Josip received a yellow card in the 72′ after the frustration of surrendering 2 goals after going up early 1-0 had set in. This of course, is the Šimunić temper we all know of that has gotten him in trouble in the past. Despite his track record, Josip has remained off the penalty sheets this season with his new team. TSG Hoffenheim are 7th in the Bundesliga and face FC Cologne after the international break.
PHOTO: achtzehn99.de, Josip Šimunić
PHOTO: scfreiburg.com, Ivica Banović (5th from left) pre-game
SC Freiburg defeated VfL Bochum 2-1 from the Rewirpower Stadion with 21,000 in attendance. A Stefan Reisinger goal in the 90′ gave SC Freiburg the thrilling victory. Ivica Banović played the entire match for his squad. SC Freiburg are in 12th place in the German Bundesliga standings and take on Werder Bremen next.
PHOTO: HSV.de, Mladen limping off against Hertha Berlin
Hamburg striker Mladen Petrić has been ruled out until after the Bundesliga’s winter break due to an ankle injury suffered against Hertha Berlin on October 4th.
PHOTO: Antonio Bronić, Ivica Olić helped off the field after tearing his calf muscle in training for Croatia
Bayern Munich striker Ivica Olić will be out of action for a few more weeks after sustaining a calf injury on international duty with Croatia last month.
France
PHOTO: SkySports.com, Vedran Runje
Lens moved out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone as Croatian goalkeeper Vedran Runje starred in their 2-1 win against Sochaux at Stade Bonal. Runje made several important saves throughout the course of the match as his team only controlled the ball for 35% of the contest. If Lens plans on sticking around in Lique 1 for next season, a lot of pressure is on Runje to contribute such efforts for the rest of the season. Lens take on AS Nancy Lorraine next weekend.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Spain
PHOTO: realsporting.com, Mate Bilić scored the game-winner against Espanyol
Mate Bilić scored the game-winning goal for Sporting Gijon in the 3′ to defeat Catalonian side Espanyol 1-0. Bilić played the entire match for his club, who now sit in 7th place and will be taking on Recreativo Huelva on Tuesday in the Copa Del Rey before visiting Xerez next week in Spanish Primera action.
Bilić Goal
Italy
Igor Budan got the start for Palermo in their clash against Bologna for Italian mid-table position. Budan couldn’t get that important goal for Palermo in the back of the net as the team only had two shots on goal and ultimately lost 3-1. Budan was subbed out in the 82′ for fresh legs but it’s good to see him starting for a decent Serie A side.
Dario Knežević played the full match for Livorno as a central defender in their 1-0 away loss to Bari. It’s good to see Knežević healthy and at full fitness as Croatia will need defensive options on the back line. Livorno sit third from the bottom with only 9 points from 12 games. Expect them to be in relegation talk the entire season.
Mato Jajalo started for Siena but only played the first half against an in-form Genoa side. Siena, who are the current bottom feeders of Serie A, managed to score two late goals in the game but it wasn’t enough as Genoa scored three quick strikes in the first 35 minutes of play and added another one in injury time for a 4-2 win. Genoa’s Ivan Jurić is still out with injury but should return in the next few weeks.
It’s a good sign that the under-21 Croatia midfielder Mato Jajalo is getting starts at a top tier European league. But what will he do in th offseason when Siena gets relegated?
Russia
Ivica Križanac played the full 90 and helped Zenit St. Petersburg earn a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Terek Grozny. There are only two games left in the Russian season and Zenit currently control their own destiny for a Europa League spot. However, they need to win out and have Spartak lose their next two to steal a Champions League birth for next season.
Tomislav Dujmović was not featured in Lokomotiv Moscow’s thrilling 1-0 win in injury time. It could be due to acquiring too many yellow cards. Lokomotiv currently sit in fifth position and need everything to go their way to grab a Europa League spot.
Stipe Pletikosa started the season as #1 goalkeeper for Spartak Moscow but was quickly benched due to a foreign player cap rule in Russia. Later in the year, Pletikosa tore his knee up in training on the same day he was supposed to be moved to Tottenham.Now he will have to watch Spartak clinch a Champions League spot without him. What a rough year for Pleti!
Ukraine
The Ukrainian Premier League was postponed for all Round 13 matches to be played on November 7th and 8th due to a referee and inspector strike. Dynamo Kyiv currently sit at the top of the table with 32 points while Shakhtar trail only by four. Both teams are undefeated.
Austria
Nikola Pokrivač
Visiting Red Bull Salzburg defeated defeated FC Magna Wr. Neustadt 3-2 from the Magna Arena. Nikola Pokrivač played the entire match for his team, blasting an absolute rocket past goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen in the 55′ for Red Bull Salzburg’s second goal of the contest. Pokrivač received a yellow card in the 90′ of the contest to finish up an eventful game. Red Bull Salzburg are in first place of the Austrian Bundesliga.
Pokrivač Goal
Rapid Vienna tied LASK Linz 3-3 from the Linzer Arena in Austrian Bundesliga action. Nikica Jelavić scored in the very first minute of the contest with a header off a cross from teammate Veli Kavak. Jelavić then went on to play the rest of the contest for his squad.
Jelavić Goal
Hopefully this performance will bring Jelavić back to his scoring ways. Rapid Vienna sit in second place of the Austrian Bundesliga standings.
Belgium
PHOTO: clubbrugge.be, Ivan Perišić
Standard Liege defeteated Club Brugge 3-1 today from the Maurice Dufrasne Stadium. Ivan Perišić played the entire match for Club Brugge in what seemed like a quite day for the Split native when you compare his performances in the past month. With the loss, Club Brugge slip into 2nd in the Belgian Jupiler League standings behind Anderlecht. In two weeks, Club Brugge host Germinal Beerschot.
PHOTO: clubbrugge.be, Ivan Perišić
Turkey
PHOTO: trabzonspor.org.tr, Drago Gabrić
Trabzonspor were defeated 2-0 by guests Besiktas at the Hüseyin Avni Aker Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Croatian young guns Drago Gabrić and Hrvoje Čale both started the match for Trabzonspor, but were subbed out of the match at 54′ and 84′, respectively. Gabrić had a rough day leading to an early exit from the game, whereas Čale provided a solid effort for the match, only a few days after being snubbed by Slaven Bilić for a spot in Croatia’s roster for an exhibition next week against Liechtenstein. Trabzonspor take on Kasimpasa after the international break in Turkish Super League play and currently sit 8th in the standings.
PHOTO: trabzonspor.org.tr, Drago Gabrić
PHOTO: trabzonspor.org.tr, Drago Gabrić(6th from left), Hrvoje Čale (5th from right)
~Ivica Peroš reporting from Long Island & Ante Kvartuč writing from warm Southern California while Denis Svirčić is on assignment in Croatia.
Ivan Perisic was cleared today, so, no need to worry. Lets get 6 points in the next few days and top the under 21 group.
http://www.nogometni-magazin.com/newspro/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkVZlZpupVCQmKcTye&tmpl=coranto_hrv_news
Not sure what you want to make of this, but yeah this doesn't seem good.
The match is in Cyprus, so I am not entirely sure what the availability would be.
You can check http://www.myp2p.eu
I even checked RTL and no dice.
@ TheGoldenChild – Not a crazy idea to call up Perisic. I will always be the first to ask for the youth to get a shot at the senior level, however, I think our Under 21s have a very good side at the moment, best to leave them all alone and let them try and compete for the under 21 championship. I was very critical of Ladic before, but, with Rakitic and Kalinic joining the youngsters, just leave them all down there and watch them make a run at the title.
@ Michael – That just ruined my day. I was planning on watching that, just assumed they would show the match. How tough would it be to find a live stream of that match on the net?
I just checked the schedule, here it is.
http://raspored.hrt.hr/?raspored=1&mreza=3&datum=2009-11-14
Why doesn't Bilic call up Perisic and bring in Bilic, and let them play off each other up top. Might as well take a shot to see how it would work out. I know we have many different options up top..just a thought since we're not making the world cup there is no reason why we couldn't experiment for a game or two.
Crazy idea?
Really? the Under 21s play a few hours before the senior team.
HRT won't be broadcasting the U-21 game this Saturday.
They will be showing
Croatia vs Lictenstein (sp?)
Portugal vs BiH
Apparently he (Enke) lost his daughter to a rare heart condition when she was only 2. That would be enough to lead anyone to depression.
Their own bank account, sorry. One eye on the cpu screen, the other on the Barca game.
Initial reports are that he threw himself under a train. Very sad. I dont know what drove him to it, but, depression is something that can strike anyone and very easily at that.
On another note;
Bravo Alcorcon!!! Hahaha, 4 – 1 on aggregate over the pretty boys of Real Madrid. They totally outclassed Madrid in the first leg. The Madrid fans were breaking out the cries of Ole anytime Alcorcon strung together 2 passes in the last 5 mins. Lets go Barca!! I hope Villarreal and Valencia can string together some nice results as well.
Pokrivac should have definitely went to Germany instead. The problem is the agents. Never trust anyone who stands to make a commission off your decisions. They are supposed to be acting within the best interest of their client, instead, they act in the best interest of their bank own account.
that's really sad, he was only on the pitch two days ago. There is far too many players being lost. Croatia has lost its share too – Mile Kovacic, Custic, Dani Popovic and Sabolcki.
Schildenfeld can make himself a good career in Austria. Pokrivac has been excellant in Austria. I think he prob dropped down a bit too low. He should have gone to Koln. Pokrivac however has done what so many players from Croatia should be doing which is finding there level. Too many get lost in the wrong clubs.
RIP, Robret Enke. I knew he was suffering from depression, thats just a really sad story. Second high profile German International to suffer from depression over the past few years. Thank goodness that Sebastian Deisler got the help that he needed.
Andre Mijatović should have definitely been called up, before he broke his leg many years ago, he was highly thought of.
I hate to disrespect anyone who we call up, or may at one time represent our country on the field. However, I never thought Schildenfeld or Strinic were really in line for a call up. I am happy to see Pamic get a chance. Trapatoni and Lothar Matthaus must have seen something in him to bring him to Austria. I think we may have to start thinking of players like Pokrivac and Perisic a bit differently. It seems as if both of their roles are changing. Nikola has been used in a 4-1-4-1 and is lined up inside the flat midfield four. Ivan has been lined up as a support striker recently. I dont know if Pokrivac can be seen as a lone CDM and Perisic as a classic creative midfielder. Seems as if he is a hybrid between a midfielder and a striker.
I am looking forward to watching our Under 21s this weekend. I look forward to that match more than the senior squad which will be playing later that day. Hopefully Vida gets a start, he was all over the park on the weekend and was even helping out the midfielders and the strikers. He looked like Igor Tudor, back in his Juventus days under Lippi. Lippi gave him a free role at times. The winner against Deportivo de La Coruña definitely comes to mind.
I believe that if it were a competitive match this Schildenfeld/ Strinic position we are discussing belongs to Dejan Lovren. At least until Goran Sablic gets fit anyway.
I'm completely disinterested in the Croatia friendly. Its such a low class opponent that i think we'll learn even less than Qatar. Qatar were at least quite quick and tricky, but Leichenstien is just a mundane match. HNS prob will even make a loss in hosting it. I'm only really interested in Slovenia and Bosnia's match this week. Croatia's going on the back burner for a fortnight.
I don't even think the friendly is a good match to judge the qualities of Dujmovic, M Bilic or Jelavic. Dujmovic has to avoid injury at all costs as his team are involved in the last matches of their season. Also a goal for Bilic against Leicestien is about as impressive as scoring his Cup goal and the goal Jelavic scored at weekend. We all know they can score against low class opposition.
Personally i think you may as well send out players like Mario Carevic, Ilija Sivonjic, Anas Sharbini, Bojan Vrucina to play Leichenstien.
CORRECTION: Schildenfeld plays for Sturm Graz like dinamofan said, not LASK Linz.
With regards to defense. We have a bunch of defensive prospects in the u-21 squad.
Names that stand out the most:
Lovren
Maloca
Tomecak
Vida
All play in the HNL, all 20 or younger, far too young and inexperienced for the big boys NT at this point in time.
Any Josip Simunic's being sought after by the HNS in Australia right now?
There should be more Schildenfeld's playing in the game against Leichenstien. Its such a nothing match. Is Schildenfeld really any worse than Strinic? At least Schildenfeld has played in a side that won titles and played in Europe. Also at Dinamo if he was so bad he would not have gone to Besiktas. Schildenfeld was still young and not ready to transfer, but cos of Drpic he ended up going. Early 20's in not the age to judge a central defender. Schildenfeld can improve as he gets older. He's certainly good enough to play well in the Austrian league. I personally don't see him as a Croatia player at this point, but then again neither is Strinic. Hopefully Cale gets restored sooner rather than later. Andre Mijatovic has also had a good season so far and can be added to the list of providing potential defensive cover.
Regards his situation in Turkey apparently he had a bizarre illness on arrival and then Besiktas tried to not pay for him. He played a few games as sub and then had a nothing season last year at Duisburg. But at Sturm Graz he's been fine. Against Leichenstien i see no problem in calling him up. I would imagine sides like Hoffenheim and Spurs would hope Schildenfeld plays instead of Simunic and Corluka.
@ Denis,
It's good to hear that CAE is liked from a reverse perspective. Ivica got it right away…we have a weekend off coming up. What the hell are we going to talk about now?
If anyone doubted the defensive crisis facing the NT in the near future, I've two words; Gordon Schildenfeld. And to think there was a time when people used to whine about Dario Simic sitting on the bench for Milan…
Seriously, unless Sablic and Knezevic can stay healthy and Lovren can develop into a decent defender, we're in trouble in the near future. Bilic needs to kiss his lucky charm and pray that another quality young defender pops up a-la-Corluka.
On a more positive note, it's great to see Babic back. He created the goal v Valencia by taking a wicked 25yrd shot which was tapped in by the rebound and was himself denied a goal by a questionable offside call. All after coming on as a sub.
That is true, I'm just not a fan of his, so I guess my bias is a bit too strong.
I should reserve judgment until I see him in action.
I do believe he has been getting solid minutes with LASK Linz in Austria this season. Why not check him out? It is just a friendly.
Bilic did call him up to he squad…..I just don't see why.
He was horrible in Dinamo, perhaps he's improved his game, but Besiktas sent him packing mighty early (And if I'm not mistaken, he's involved in a financial dispute with them)
@ Michael
Michael, I thought I read somewhere that Gordon Schildenfeld had some words for Bilic? Or vice versa?
Fill us all in pleaseee!
Gordon Schildenfeld……….really Bilic?
That's a new low.
Ngog is dirty
Great work guys! Croatians around Europe to this day is the bread and butter of this site. Being 'on assignment in Croatia' I dont have much time to keep up with the weekend football. For the first time I realized how valuable Croatians Around Europe is to the reader.
******UPDATE FROM ZAGREB********
It turns out that I did have credentials for Dinamo-Hajduk, however, my guy failed to contact me through email and didnt have my contact information.
Dinamo gave me the cold shoulder on credentials for Dinamo-Ajax and Dinamo-Šibenik… I planned on attending Dinamo-Šibenik, however, the heavy rain and cold weather turned me away. Some reporter I am…hmm.
@ziva istina, I am still waiting for an email from you with Torcida contact info. I would like to have a word with them regarding their 'brief' protest.
paluka81@yahoo.com
I am heading back to Sibenik on Tuesday and will cover the Hajduk-Croatia Sesvete match on Saturday.
Strinic Had to be dropped because of injury, Gordon Shildenfield has been called up
That's a nice strike from Pokrivac. Eduardo should be credited with the second goal as he put the ball in that area and Craddock couldn't do anything to change that scenario cos it came off the inside part of his head. I've got zero concerns about about Eduardo, Rakitic, Pranjic, Kranjcar, Knezevic, Mate Bilic, Simunic and Krizanac. i think they should all be in Croatia's squad. Marko Babic had another good cameo display yesterday. I think possibly we should go with Babic ahead of Gabric. Babic is fully fit now and is more of a big league player. He is tournament hardy so i reckon we should restore him to the squad. I still like Gabric, but probably is behind Perisic at present. Should go with Srna, Kranjcar, Perisic, Modric, Pranjic, Rakitic as the attacking mids when everyones fit. I think Klasnic and Jelavic, along with Mandzo are borderline being dropped. This Ceserac is doing interesting things in Greece. He's the league leading scorer. Can you put him on Croatians Around Europe. I think he should be on Bilic's players to monitor list.