England
ĆORLUKA (L) AND MODRIĆ (R) IN ACTION VS. FULHAM
All three Crottenham players (Modrić, Kranjčar, Ćorluka) took the field for a full 90 minutes on Saturday at Craven Cottage as Tottenham took on Fulham in a FA Cup quarterfinal match. The game ended in a lackluster 0-0 draw with a replay set for March 24th at White Heart Lane. Niko Kranjčar set up on the right wing and played the best of all the Croatians. He has been trigger happy with shots from all over the field in recent weeks. Kranjčar had a strong shot on goal in the first half but it was easily blocked by Fulham goalie Mark Schwarzer.
Vedran Ćorluka played his usual solid game on defense with the addition of some offensive flare. Ćarli put a beautiful cross field ball right on Peter Crouch’s head, only for it to be tipped away by a diving Schwarzer. However, Ćorluka almost ended the tie in the 89th minute as he almost deflected a ball into his own net.
MODRIĆ COULDN’T GET IT GOING
Luka Modrić seemed a bit out of it as he played the central midfielder role during this match. For the first time in awhile, his passes were all over the place and he wasn’t taking on defenders like his usual self. Maybe the Belgium friendly took more out of him than originally thought. He’ll get another shot to impress in the replay. Tottenham will return to action next weekend. The week long break should do all Spurs international stars some good after they had double duty this week.
EDUARDO DOIN’ HIS THING VS. BURNLEY
Eduardo came into Arsenal’s match against Burnley in the 74th minute for Nicklas Bendtner, who had a horrible game not being able to finish any opportunities. With the game 2-1 in Arsenal’s favor, Eduardo missed a close range strike early in his substitution but made up for it assisting Arshavin accidentally on his injury time insurance goal to make it a 3-1 final. Arsenal host FC Porto this Tuesday in their Champions League second leg. Porto took the first match 2-1.
Ivan Klasnić remained on the bench as an unused sub in Bolton’s 2-1 win over West Ham United on Saturday. Expect Klasnić to get some time this Tuesday when Bolton takes on Sunderland.
Nikola Kalinić and Blackburn had the week off and will face Tottenham at White Heart Lane next weekend. CSR will have a reporter at this match. Hopefully it goes off without a hitch.
Germany
RAKITIĆ (R) ON FIRE FOR SCHALKE
Ivan Rakitić and his Schalke club have hit all cylinders at the right time in the German Bundesliga as they are now only two points behind leaders Bayern Munich. Schalke defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 4-1 on Saturday with Rakitić scoring an insurance goal off a long run down field in the 80′. All those talks of Rakitić leaving Schalke may have to go as they should be playing Champions League next season. He once again played the entire match as his stock continues to climb.
ANOTHER RAKITIĆ GOAL
OLIC GETTING TRUMPED BY KÖLN
Ivica Olić and Bayern Munich couldn’t figure out a pesky Zvonimir Soldo Köln side on Saturday as the game ended 1-1. Former Bayern star Lukas Podolski scored early for Köln as the Croatian striker could only manage one quality shot on goal for Bayern. Olić was subbed out in the 56′ and moments later Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the equalizer for Bayern. It’s all good for the Bavarian side as they remain in first place with Bayer Leverkusen posting its first loss of the season on Sunday.
Danijel Pranjić remained on the bench as an unused sub. Bayern Munich have a huge second leg Champions League match this Tuesday against Fiorentina. Which Croatians will we see?
Mladen Petrić started for Hamburg in their Bundesliga match against soon-to-be relegated Hertha Berlin. Petrić fired off two shots before being subbed out in the 64′. Hamburg won the match 1-0 and remain fourth in Germany. However, they still remain seven points behind a Champions league spot. Petrić came out of the game a bit early and it is not known whether it was for tactical or injury reasons. Hamburg host Anderlecht in Europa League action this Thursday in Round of 16 action.
ŠIMUNIĆ CAN’T HOLD HIS GROUND VS. MAINZ
Josip Šimunić played the full match as Hoffenheim hosted Mainz at the weekend. Mainz took the game 1-0 on a 69′ strike. With the loss, Hoffenheim sit at midtable and are in no danger of a relegation demotion. How much more does the 32 year-old Šimunić have in the tank as a starting defender in a top-four league?
IVICA BANOVIĆ IS IN A TWIST
Ivica Banović and Freiburg are in trouble after their most recent 2-1 loss against Hannover. With the defeat, Freiburg now sit in the German relegation zone knocking on the door with a return back to Bundesliga II. Banović started but was subbed out in the 68′. I think it’s safe to say that he will not get another international call-up with all the young talent Croatia has to choose from.
France
VEDRAN RUNJE PRE-MATCH
Vedran Runje and Lens took on Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade Felix-Bollaert on Saturday. All looked well for Lens as they took a 1-0 lead in the 67′ off a Sébastien Roudet goal. Runje blocked all four shots he encountered in regular time but was unfortunate in injury time when he couldn’t deflect a free kick far enough from the action. The clean sheet was broken as the ball dropped back down from the post for an easy tap in. The match ended 1-1. Runje was also beat in the first half but the ball went off the post.
RUNJE CAN’T BLOCK FOR THE WIN IN STOPPAGE TIME
Dejan Lovren was not used as a substitute in Lyon’s 0-0 draw away to Boulogne.
Italy
Dario Knežević
Sunday witnessed a clash of two Serie A teams headed in very different directions. High-flying Palermo, who are now gunning for a UEFA Champions League spot next season, defeated a destined-for-relegation Livorno side 1-0 from the Renzo Barbera Stadium with a mere 2,500 in attendence. Dario Knežević played the entire match for Livorno, who only controlled the ball for 35% of the contest. Rijeka native Igor Budan entered the match in the 86′ for teammate Fabrizio Miccoli.
“We merit to be in the position we are currently in. We all want to do something important this season but there is still a long way to go.” -Igor Budan on Palermo’s successful season thus far
Palermo hang on to fourth place and are away at Udinese, while Livorno are third to last and host AS Roma next weekend.
Mato Jajalo
Mato Jajalo was an unused substitute in Siena’s 1-1 draw with Parma.
Mate Bilić
Sporting Gijon was embarrassed by Mallorca in a 3-0 defeat from the Estadio Son Moix with 13,000 in attendance. Mate Bilić entered the contest in the 68′ for teammate David Barral, but was unable to get the offense moving. The loss drops Sporting Gijon to 11th place in the Spanish Primera standings as they head into next weekend’s match against Athletic Bilbao.
Bilic’s productive season with Sporting Gijon has created speculation that Premiership side Sunderland FC are tracking his progress in hopes of a summer transfer.
Ukraine
PHOTO: shakhtar.com, Darijo Srna
Darijo Srna played the entire match for Shakhtar Donetsk’s 1-0 victory over rivals Metalurh Donetsk. Next weekend, Shakhtar takes on 3rd place Metalist in Ukranian Premier League action.
PHOTO: fcdynamo.kiev.ua, Ognjen Vukojević (facing camera) celebrating with teammates
Ognjen Vukojević was featured in Dynamo Kiev’s 1-1 draw against hosts Illichivets. The draw keeps Dynamo level with Shakhtar Donetsk for 1st place in the Ukranian Premier League with a game in hand. Dynamo host Vorskla next weekend and still have not lost a game this season.
PHOTO: beyazgazete.com, Birthday-boy Hrvoje Čale celebrates with teammates this past week
Trabzonspor defeated Genclerbirligi 3-1 H. from the Avni Aker Stadium in Turkish Super League action this weekend. Hrvoje Čale started the match and put on a solid performance before being subbed off in the 82′(not before receiving a yellow card in the 58′). Drago Gabrić entered the contest in the 46′, notching a goal in the 89′ of of the match. The victory keeps Trabzonspor in 6th place of the standings heading into next weekend’s contest at Gaziantepspor.
Gabrić Goal
PHOTO: skrapid.at, Nikica Jelavić donning a protective mask
A masked Nikica Jelavić played the entire contest in Rapid Vienna’s 2-2 draw against Kapfenberg SV from the Franz Fekete Stadium in Austrian Bundesliga action. Jelavić donned the protective mask after sustaining a broken nose this past week. Despite the injury, Jelavić was training by mid-week with his teammates and was on the pitch in full force today.
Rapid Vienna are second in the standings and host city-rivals Austria Vienna next weekend.
PHOTO: salzburg.com, Nikola Pokrivač with teammates
Nikola Pokrivač played the entire match in Red Bull Salzburg’s 1-1 draw against guests FC Magna Wr. Neustadt. Red Bull Salzburg remain confident with a six point lead over Rapid Vienna for the top spot in the Austrian Bundesliga standings. Pokrivač and company host Kapfenberg SV next weekend.
Gordon Schildenfeld
Gordon Schildenfeld played the entire match in SK Sturm Graz’s 1-0 win over SV Josko Ried. SK Sturm Graz are in 4th place of the Austrian Bundesliga standings and are away at FC Magna Wr. Neustadt next weekend.
~Ante Kvartuč reporting from San Pedro, California with Ivica Peroš from the “Big Apple” while Denis Svirčić parades around San Francisco
It just makes no sense for Hajduk to travel outside of Europe. I am very surprised to even hear that because from the people I know within the club they have never mentioned it. I'm not saying you are wrong, I just have never heard it.
We'll see. These guys are still under the false assumption they can lure Barca to Split next Feb for Hajduk's 100th anniversary and play a freindly in Poljud.
I'll only bet if you say Euro Cup which i take as meaning Champions League 🙂
If you mean Europa Liga… that's 50-50 and as nobody is ever sure if the Croatian league is partly fixed then theres no way i'd bet against Hajduk qualifying for it. unfortunately Sibenik and Osijek have conveniently gone soppy, but Cibalia might still hold out for second.
If Osijek and Sibenik go back to being what they should be then who knows maybe Hajduk won't qualify. They've still got no number 9 despite that Strinic, Andric, Skoko, Ibricic, Tomasov, Anas and Oremus have raised their game.
@Dinamofan,
You will see Hajduk in Euro Cup qualifiers…. any bets, bets, bets..:)
@Ziva istina
Hajduk would like to cross the pond right after the HNL season ends sometime in late May, early June. You are right about qualifiers and summer break for players. Right now its a long shot, especially after Hajduk was mid-table most of the season.
sure they will…as bad as they are, they will still finish in 2nd place or win the cup securing a spot in Europe so they can fall again in the early rounds.
European Cup qualifers.. oh don't worry they won't be in that
Denis, I wish you luck. But, I just don't see a big turnout for Hajduk against an MLS side. A few thousand (at best) and that is it.
Plus, the only time go get Hajduk for a friendly would be late June/early July. They will begin their european cup qualifiers in mid to late July.
Again, good luck, but I just don't see a big crowd for this.
San Jose would be amazing! I live in SF and I would be able to make it to that match.
Hope you can get it Denis.
Well, as of right now Galaxy and Red Bulls have officially declined Hajduk. I am still in talks with Columbus, Chicago, San Jose, Chivas USA and Toronto. They are all mildly interested.
I agree with Ziva that Toronto is the ideal location. It would be huge to get them confirmed, then all I need is one more friendly. Hajduk would come if two friendlies were scheduled.
I'm not holding my breath but I would certainly travel to any other North American city if Hajduk were ever to make their way across the pond. Toronto would be a natural place for them to play — that's where I'm from incidentally — but I'd happily travel to LA, San Jose, Chicago, Cleveland, New York or where ever to see 'em:)
Tom in Winnipeg
@ Boris……Chicago would be the wrong croatian community to have that event. You would be better off having up in Toronto or maybe even in the selo of Cleveland. The hrvati in those areas have a reputation of supporting croatian events unlike their brothers in Chicago. Chicago is filled with hrvati who don't know what they are.
Here's a link to see Croatia's new away jerseys. I have to say, they look pretty bad.
http://www.setantasoccershop.com/shop-by-country-croatia-croatia-national-soccer-team-croatia-10-11-away-soccer-jersey.html
re: Hajduk and/or Dinamo playing friendly against MLS teams
I agree with Ziva…for the MLS team it's about $$. They don't care about what us cro-soccer-loving guys would like to see. The only plausible way for an MLS team to make money on a game against Dinamo or Hajduk would be to have it in, let's say, Chicago (centrally located), and then pray that every Croat in the midwest and ontario show up at toyota park to watch. that's highly unlikely…unless the war starts up again, and then maybe more croats would start to come out of the woodwork, a la 1990/91.
serbs afraid to play davis cup match in split. hilarious.
http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=386205
Wow, Bijelo Dugme, that's old school.
I was shunned because I didn't attend the Bijelo Dugme concert because I don't want to pay $60 to watch Bosnians sing…the same will go for Crvena Jabuka, I'm not going to see them although I know a lot of Hrvati will.
I'd rather pay the wash-ups who sing the song of my generation (Lijepa li si a close second). It's just too bad they're not coming because it's the only time the Dinamo supporters outnumber the Hajduk ones in the States…no Marina, Heroj Ulice, etc.
Re: Denis
No fair, we like pounding Hajduk. Who said anything about friendly anyway, we could be invited as party poopers. Might as well make a game of it rather then a match against Showbiz 11. anyway i jest – just got nothing to say at moment 🙂
PK….if this was 1993 all over again, then it would be a party. At this point, these guys are washed up.
But, at least they are a croatian act being booked by croatians. Some of the other bands/musicians that have toured in the US have been promoted by serbs groups the last few years.
I heard Crvena Jabuka is tourning the US and being promoted by serbs. Something tells me a bunch of self-hating croats will attend these events.
Two things:
1) Hajduk being denied by the Galaxy and not coming to play in the US – EXCELLENT.
2) Prljavo Kazaliste not coming to California – AWFUL!
@ Denis….not really. I have no desire to see Hajduk in the US. They would draw nobody to the stadium. Playing an MLS team in a friendly is just a waste of money.
Hajduk did send their junior team to the US (u-16s i think) back in the early 90's. That is the last time they have had any presence in the US.
I have updated the Calendar on the upper right hand corner with Croatian Concerts around North America.
Thanks Adrien for the Wales link, Croatian media announced this last week. This was up on the calendar.
For those of you "Croatians around the world" please tell us what Croatian events are going on in your city, we shall add it to the calendar.
@Ivica Peros,
Not all hope is lost for Hajduk. Theere is still a .01 % chance anything will happen. 🙂
Spurs in the states would be nice. Look for an Italian team to play the galaxy in May(if anyone cares) 🙂
@dinamofan
I will quote Marko Vidalina from 24 sata:
"A friendly with Dinamo and Hajduk is NEVER a friendly"
@Slaven
I agree with Pranjic. If there is no room for him at Bayern, he should demand a transfer to a smaller Bundesliga club. Don't worry about Olic, he will get his time.
@Ziva istina,
I agree, but wouldn't you like to see Hajduk suit up in New York against the Red Bulls in the new arena?
Maybe, I'm just dreaming.
If Hajduk and Dinamo won't come to the states, I am praying Spurs decide to make a trip across the lake for some friendlies. It wouldn't be the first time in recent memory they have been to America.
Re: Hajduk
We'll play em and beat for their anniversary if they kind find anyone else. It'll be a pleasure 🙂
I'd like to know why Olic didn't play yesterday. The coach should remember that it was Olic who kept him from getting sacked by turning the team around from being a total flop. I'm thinking Pranjic is wasting his time at Bayern too.
Croatia to play Wales in a friendly on 23rd of May
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/8557724.stm
MLS teams schedule friendlies to fill seats and make some cash. Bringing Hajduk in would have filled a few thousand seats at best.
And, quite honestly as a Hajduk fan, there is no need for the BILI to come out to the west coast to play an inferior MLS side.
******* UPDATE FROM LA *******
A bit of bad news to report for the start of year 3, LA Galaxy have officially denied Hajduk. The boys from Split were a last resort, just in case Galaxy wasn't able to schedule anyone. Galaxy have scheduled 2 "huge" friendlies, one in May the other sometime in August. My galaxy guy cant confirm the teams with the announcement coming in the next few weeks. The May friendly will be a "big Italian team"… so I figure Juve, Inter, or Milan… I dont know if Roma is part of this group..
@Ante and Ivica,
Excellent work gentleman. Rakitic, Gabric, and Runje video explain everything.
We can see that Runje is limited by his size. If he had a few more inches in him, he would have easily tipped this one over the bar. Besides all this, he's still our #1, and is doing an amazing job at Lens.
@Dinamofan
"Rakitic for Srna" interesting to say the least. Considering Srna is the captain I dont see this happening any time soon. It would be a nice wakeup call to Srna. I'm interested to see where Srna will end up this summer.
@Peter Radman,
Yes it looks like Rakitic is finally starting to mature. Remember, the kid is still only 21 years of age, turning 22 tomorrow. He's starting for a top club in a top 4 league in the world.
@Anonymous,
I won't delete your sales pitch, because it gave so many people here a good laugh. At least sign in with a name, then people might trust you a little more on the "authenticity of the signature". Good luck with that.
@Anonymous #2,
Thanks for the update. Please sign in with a name so we can refer to you in the future.
PS: it doesnt have to be your real name 🙂
I think ESPN must have goofed. Must have been 25,000
@Boris,
thanks for the tennis update. This should be interesting. Croatia will be the house, and the final game will be played most likely during the world cup final(scheduled on the same day.) I might be there in person for this one.
@Ced007,
welcome! thanks for signing in
@Anonymous #3
sign in!
I dont see a Croatia shirt on the link
I would never say anything is permanent with one player taking another's place. But i think Bilic has a right to say you know what Srna, this ain't good enough and not creative enough – Rakitic takes your place next match. Then see how Srna responds. Ultimately Croatia could profit from doing this and just reminding a few players that they can't take it easy in the national side.
Its not that i feel Srna is bad, but he can do better and much of his displays is attitude based rather than anything wrong with his ability.
If you got guys like Perisic, Rakitic, Lovren, Knezevic, Cale, Pranjic in reserve Bilic should have the ability to use them to eliminate complacency in the squad.
Nike World Cup 2010 kits
oh how this must hurt
http://www.nike.com/nikefootball/teams/nationalkits?locale=en_US
I hope that Gabric and Cale will continue to play good !
looks like Croatia will play Serbia next in Davis Cup tennis:
http://www.daviscup.com/ties/tie.asp?tie=100014706
@ dinamofan
i would definitely like to see rakitic in place of srna on the NT in the right outside midfield spot. niko on the left outside mid. he attacks best from the left.
@ Anonymous
It may have been a typo, but ESPN Soccernet said 2,500 were in attendance.
The poster said attendence at the Palermo-Liverno game was only 2500. I'm watching the reply of the game on ESPN360, and it looks like a 75% full stadium. Pretty big turnout.
I'd love to meet the idiot who would purchase that.
Cool autographed Marko Perkovic Thompson shirt for sale on eBay. Check it out!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270540394104&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
To be honest Fulham have an outstanding coach and a lot of their side is proven EPL players. Fulham are just that maybe one striker and one playmaker short from actually challenging the likes of Spurs, City and Villa immediately above them. I think Spurs will need a couple of there central mids back to get anything from Fulham.
Spurs have their hands full with Fulham. That is a solid club, and they are playing well with pretty limited resources when you compare them to the 'big' premiership clubs
Maybe theres a case for putting Rakitic in place of Srna??? What do you think? Rakitic is certainly more attacking and doesn't dive so much. If Srna really needs a wake up its not like we can't do it and trust in Rakitic. I personally have never had an issue with Rakitic as he is on 21 and he's been out of position. He is a right footed player and i think he's more mobile than Kranjcar so can do the right mid.
Rakitic has looked very solid the past 2 weeks. Scored 2 goals, hasn't been afraid to shoot, followed the play beautifully for the goal yesterday. It will be an exciting title race in Germany this year. Keep it up Ivan.