CSR & FRIENDS OUTSIDE SCORPIO IN ASTORIA,NY
Three weeks ago, TEAM CSR (Ante Kvartuč, Denis Svirčić, Dennis Fistonić) travelled to New York City to catch Croatia’s opening Euro 2012 qualifiers against Latvia and Greece with the boys from Long Island at Scorpio Bar in Astoria. It was great to finally meet Ivica, Krešo, Allen and Robert Uvanović in the flesh; as well as some new faces. Scorpio had a great atmosphere for both games with the majority of the crowd being in their 20’s and 30’s.
The New York Croatians welcomed us with open arms and CSR wants to thank everyone for a great time on our first group trip outside of California. CSR is not just a soccer report anymore; it’s a global community. Thousands of Croatians and Vatreni fans alike tune in every month to voice their opinions on Croatian soccer here at CSR, however, meeting someone in person for the first time and continuing the conversation over an ice cold beer is special. After all, CSR was created to “UNITE CROATIAN FANS AROUND THE WORLD”. So where to next?
When we asked,” Where should Prva Generacija watch the Croatia-Israel match next year?”, Toronto absolutely crushed the poll with 75 votes from 190 people. Zagreb and New York came in a distant second and third.
The people have spoken! Come September 2011, Team CSR is going to have to buy some new jackets, because we’re going to beautiful Toronto, CANADA!
-Ante Kvartuč
ŽIVA SVIRČINA WITH ROBERT UVANOVIĆ
We came to New York to duplicate the Indian Wells experience and bring atmosphere to the US Open every time Ivan Ljubičić, Marin Čilić, Ivo Karlović, and Mario Ančić stepped on to the court. Unfortunately, Mario and Ivo pulled out early through injury, while Marin and “Ivane Majstore” lost in early rounds. After our first day at Scorpio’s, we forgot about tennis the rest of the week.
The boys at Scorpio’s showed us love and brought atmosphere for both the Latvia and Greece games that week. Karlovačko’s were served ice cold and the doors were slammed shut to avoid any unwanted sunlight from ruining the party. The best part was watching how people outside reacted when 100 Croatians, dressed in red and white checkered shirts stormed out of the bar all at the same time.
Special thanks to Scorpio’s for hosting us, Ivica Peroš for showing up in his work suit to meet up with us at Times Square and convincing us to make New York CSR stop #1 on this long journey to “unite Croatians around the world.” Robert Uvanović came through big time, was even sucking down Belgian La Chouffe Ale’s with us. Also, let’s not forget John Grieco, most likely the first and last time an Italian watches two Croatian European Cup qualifiers at Scorpio’s. I’m not gonna start naming everyone else we met that week in New York because I don’t want to bore the rest of you and I will most likely forget a few names. Thanks for the good times, next stop Toronto.
~Denis Svirčić, still jealous that L.A. doesn’t have a Croatian bar like Scorpio’s
MEET ROBERT UVANOVIĆ
DENIS, ANTE AND ROBERT
1ST EVER MEETING OF TEAM CSR IN TIMES SQUARE- LOOKING SPIFFY IVICA
The East Coast Trip was absolutely fantastic. From the different foods we ate, to the new people we met, to watching the two qualifier games at Scorpio’s, it was an awesome experience. The CSR mantra has always been to “Unite Croats Around the World.” This site has united Croats in the same city they live in without them previously knowing each other. It was great to finally meet Ivica, Krešo, Zanki, and the rest of the boys as they are just as passionate about Croatian football as we are. I would like to thank the Croatian community in Astoria for their hospitality and for showing CSR a great time. Hvala dečki!
-Dennis Fistonić
NEW RULE: EVERY GAME STARTS WITH A SHOT
KREŠO INTERVIEWING FOR A FULL TIME POSITION…
…WE GAVE IT TO IVICA INSTEAD
EVEN KARLOVAČKO COULDN’T HELP THE FEELING AFTER CROATIA’S 0-0 DRAW WITH GREECE
Boris,
Do you know what happened when I wore my Deseti Travanj =U- shirt at the Kazakh game last year?
I got stares, jeers, handshakes, high fives, free drinks and verbally yelled at. Do you want to know what the other 97% of people did? They didn't give a rats ass. Same thing when we started singing ustaske pjesme near Cibona after the game against England. While Zagreb might be turning redder by the minute, you'll always have your hardcore group of real Hrvati.
I have nothing against Toronto. I just think that for next year, Zagreb would be the best bet at Maksimir against Israel.
Remind me to leave you all some flares since we now know where they are.
Well put article guys thanks for putting me in. I had a great game with you guys and hopefully I make it to San Pedro. Ivica hope to see you in two weeks for the game. Overall happy you guys liked NY even though Ante said Times Square is overrated.
btw, bilic named his squad for the isreal match today:
http://www.soccerway.com/news/2010/September/24/croatia-squad-against-israel/
@ ante B
at least people watching the games in TO or in the US will have free speech rights. try wearing a shirt with a U on it in ZG and you'll get arrested. commie red stars are perfectly acceptable though.
@Ana,
I apologize for the paaaaaaaaasta comment. That was an inside joke for "my Ana" from Toronto. What are the odds that there are 2 Ana's from Toronto on CSR?
I can confirm on "zene" in Toronto.. however, Alkohol….. hmmm.. ok, Crown Royal is good, especially the Reserve… Canadian beer is like American beer…
If we come up in October will you have some Karlovacko's on ice for us?
@slaven,
actually, I'm not a pasta guy.. Pasta je za Talijane… digice… i za Hvarane… aka…Fistonicha
Denis is a pastafarian warrior, mon. Yeah keep us tuned in to the next meeting location.
@ Ante
lol I'm surprised security gives a rat's ass at what people bring into maksimir
@Denis
lol are you serious about the pasta?? because i wouldn't say we're known for pasta…
on the other hand alkohol i zene is a much better reason to be coming down to tdot 😉 oh and ofcourse some good old fashioned nogomet!
@ Ana..
I guess that's how the BBB get flares into Maksimir…
I was over in the USA a couple of months ago, the place is unbelievabally massive didnt have the time to even search for a Croatian club lol. I was watching the Tottenham – San Jose match on the plane and spotted all of you with the flags and banners, nice work!
yeah you guys would come for the "paaaaaaaaaaasta" eh…unbelievable! 😉
@Ivica
Its been a while my friend.. You're always welcome to contribute… We still have your jersey up in the CSR locker room. Youre still in your prime, long ways from retiring your jersey..
@Rob,
"I may be able to help out with accomodations"
Huuuuuuuuuge comment of the day. haha..
We will keep you posted. Thank you sir!
@Ante B,
First off, Toronto is not cash confirmed. Secondly, that poll I put up was just a test run, just to get the juices flowing. We are still over a year away. By next October I might be married with three adopted Albanian children.
Zagreb will most likely host the Croatia-Israel game, and what better way to organize a group of 10-20 Prva/druga generacija members to make the trip to ZG to watch the game LIVE. This is still a possibility. We will bring this up again sometime after the holidays in February-March.
Again, the door is not closed on Zagreb….. and Toronto is not confirmed
@anonymous
thanks for the tip on Astoria and the kind words on CSR. Please sign in or sign out at the end of your comment in the future.
@Andrej L
"We could have a little Croatia Canada vs Croatia America footy match"
Excellent idea.
@Ana
I'm coming to Toronto for the "paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasta." 🙂
Its nice to have some women on the site chiming in for a change, especially, women from Toronto…Kaaaaaaaneda
Quote of the Year.
Wooooo!! you guys are coming to Toronto! Can't wait to meet you all in person! and dont worry, toronto in september isn't that cold, contrary to popular belief. It's the same weather as new york, you'll survive with a light jacket
also Ante B up there^^ needs to remove the flare thats up his ass and lighten up!
I don't need to sell Zagreb to anybody. What I had first mentioned to you was a PRVA GENERACIJA meet-up in Zagreb, like I care about these other degenerates…
At this point, I've stopped caring. I know where I'll be September 6, 2011.
Definitely will be good times in Toronto…just to let you know, its pretty much the same weather as in New York so jackets aren't necessary in September.
I'd love to do Zagreb (my birth place) but only in the summer as I'll be on the coast at some point. The only game is on June 4th, which is a bit early for a summer vacation.
And Ivica, you should definitely make the trip up here too. We could have a little Croatia Canada vs Croatia America footy match…you've officially been challenged hahah
Hi guys im really impressed and happy to see that there is someone out there doing this. The only thing that bothers me in the last couple of posts is you're saying Astoria is in Long Island. Correction! Astoria is ON Long Island but IN New York City. Im from the area and its really out of the ordinary saying Astoria is in Long Island meanwhile Astoria is a part of NYC. This is just a friendly correction. Keep up the good work guys!
If I may ask Ante,
Why are you so big on Zagreb? I understand that would be special if we all showed up from around North America/Europe/Australia, but based on the poll, doesn't look promising. Toronto is obviously much quicker and cheaper to get to from anywhere in NA and the logistics are much simpler.
Sell the crowd on Zagreb, I'm already sold, but there's another 100 people that need a motivational speech.
Great article, seems like you guys had a blast. Enough of the positivity.
Sometimes the decisions you morons come up with amazes me. For the last important home game in Zagreb against Israel, you guys decide to go to…Toronto?! Toronto by all accounts is beautiful and judging by the Hrvati I know, it's full of solid Ustaše (with some major exceptions) but to not have it in Zagreb where Prva Generacija can have its first official meet-up is moronic. I get it, you guys go off of what people vote. But, yet again, CSR Nation is wrong on this one.
Croatia-Israel should be in Zagreb next year and not Toronto.
Can't wait to catch up with you guys next year for qualifiers, gonna be a blast!!
Depending how many people come up, I may be able to help out with accomodations…let me know when the time comes!
Great post guys! It was a pleasure meeting all of you!
Guess who is off this weekend and back for Croatians Around Europe!?
I'd like to make the trip up to Toronto with you guys next year when the time comes. Never been there before…
Wonderful mission decki, keep it up.
I predict that you're in for a pleasant surprise when you get to the TDot!