CroatianSoccerReport.com began the month off by receiving credentials from the HNS (Croatian Soccer Federation) to cover the Croatia-Ukraine match in Zagreb first hand. So how could we possibly keep the momentum going from this historic CSR event?
Popular Croatian newspaper, 24 Sata, ran CSR’s story on PSV’s new Croatian uniforms on June 19th and gave us a nice pat on the back for all the good work we’ve been doing stateside.
24 Sata wrote:
HRVATSKI NOGOMET NA AMERIČKI NAČIN
Dok čekamo informaciju gdje će Srna igrati iduće sezone, evo nečega zanimljivoga, rečenica je kojom su vijest o ‘kopiranju’ dresova započeli na portalu croatiansoccerreport.com. Riječ je o projektu kojim se bave Hrvati u SAD-u, zaljubljenici u hrvatski nogomet. Prate HNL, sve naše igrače, pogotovo reprezentaciju. I rade sjajan posao, zahvaljujući CSR-u Hrvati u SAD-u doista imaju gdje vidjeti što se sve događa hrvatskom nogometu.
Read the CSR post that 24 Sata directly translated into Croatian above.
This article by 24 Sata only reinforces what Denis and I are trying to do as we slowly become a force in Croatian soccer media…
TO UNITE CROATIAN FANS AROUND THE WORLD
And of course we could not achieve any of this without our devoted readers and ‘Prva Generacija’ members who endlessly leave comments and debate on CSR about their most passionate thoughts on Croatian soccer.
So as our army grows, so does our say in Croatian soccer. Let’s not stop here!
I would like you all to sign CSR’s Twitition that would ultimately help bring Dinamo and Hajduk to North America for a series of friendlies.
Sure it seems impossible now, but if we can guarantee ‘sold out’ stadiums in New York, Toronto, Chicago, San Jose and Los Angeles; who’s to say that the two Croatian juggernauts wouldn’t make the trip.
Small steps as this is only the beginning!
Everyone, sorry for the late reply. so many posts so little time.
@DJ Dan
I like your attitude kid. NY would obviously be considered because of the new Red Bull Arena, centrally located near half a dozen big Croatia cities, and obviously much closer than Los Angeles.
"European clubs are already coming back to the US this summer for a tour."
These are all big clubs known worldwide. It would be difficult to attract Americans to watch an unknown club. however, with a little marketing this can be done.
@Kreso
"I don't think that the stupidity of club hoolaginism would interfere or hinder the event"
I dont think so either. The least of my concern.
@Ivica
Thank you sir!
Just as Marko Vidalina said in the interview, "Hajduk vs Dinamo is never a friendly game." this is out of the question and will most likely never happen. However, one or the other might have a chance.
@tornado Zadar
No one is talking about selling out a 20,000 seat stadium. If we can get 10,000 and break even financially, I would be satisfied.
If Hajduk or dinamo is trying o come overseas to make a few $$, then as far as I am concerned, they can play friendlies in bosnia and Austria against FC Kurac and FC Birkirkara.
@Steve
Please explain yourself. What source are you talking about. Give us an example.
@Marko
thanks for the support. I never thought Ante and I would get this far. Now we have to push ourselves a little further.
@Joze
How does "CSR from down under" sound? Ante and I are thinking about the Australian Open.
@Tom in Winnipeg
Great story on Drago Gabrić. No tattoo stories here on CSR…haha
the best time to get Dinamo and Hajduk over would be the winter as that is when Croatian clubs actual rebuild their teams are are at their strongest. During the summer HNL clubs are like the aftermath of an earthquake. They have most of their best players leaving and are unfit and just not ready to resume playing. Thats why they have a horrid time in Europe. However come winter they are more settled. also the winter break is so long that the players do little for two months so going to US wouldn't be a problem then. As a rule though Croatian clubs and HNS doesn't like to pay on travelling very far. They ideally like to stay close to home. In middle Europe if possible or going to Slovenia or Bosnia. I also don't think Dinamo or Hajduk has many links in US. They prob are more likely to tour Australia than the US.
@ Tom,
I actually never caught this 'Gabric tattoo' story. I thought you might have been referring to Corluka's tat that we reported on a few months back.
After retrieving articles from Croatian press and hearing stories first hand from my brother, who is a photographer for half the year in Croatia, the media and press over there will write about anything- and won't even do a thorogh job on it either.
Ante,
The comment I've copied below was my attempt at a tongue-in-cheek jab at the Croatian journalist who wrote a story about Gabric's tatoo. I know your editorial standards are already high:)
Tom
This is football "news?" Only in Croatia does a player getting a tatoo constitute news. Ante/Dennis, I hope your editorial standards are higher:)
Drago Gabrić je dao istetovirati veliku ružu na potkoljenici, pa dok trenira ili šeta u kratkim hlačama njegova vas ruža jednostavno ne može zaobići. Ubode, u oko.
June 22, 2009 12:38 PM
Ante Kvartuc said…
@ Tom,
Please refresh my memory to what exactly you are talking about.
at dinamofan……It wouldn't be for this year, its already too late for that. I think these guys want to bring them next year or the years after. Still a dream scenerio that wont happen.
at Matt……You must have revisionist history. The Dinamo-Rangers game in Toronto barely had a third of the stadium filled. Less than 20,000 people attended that match. Hajduk-Dinamo would get between 5-7,000 and that is only if they would play one match in N. America. If they did a tour and played in 2 or 3 cities, they would get a few thousand (at best) and that's it.
i Don't see the point in us going to US. We'd be better off getting practice against decent European sides in readiness for C.L or UEFA Cup football.
We also have bigger problems at the moment. We've had to keep one of our more useful players Morales away from squad for god knows how long cos he has swine flu and we've realised that Slepicka our expensive signing is a Sokota the second! i.e always injured.
Also most of our targets are not coming to us which seems to be ticking Jurcic off as he doesn't feel the current squad is strong enough. Last thing we need is to take our current group over to US. Especially if Mandza and Vrdoljak transfer in next two weeks. You'd only be watching a patchwork Dinamo side. I think they are best staying at home and confidence building. We desperately need a new signing at moment to get the enthusiasm going.
There is no way that Dinamo vs Hajduk would sell out any stadium in the US.
It's a great idea but you would need a way smaller venue. No chance.
@ Tom,
Please refresh my memory to what exactly you are talking about.
This is football "news?" Only in Croatia does a player getting a tatoo constitute news. Ante/Dennis, I hope your editorial standards are higher:)
Drago Gabrić je dao istetovirati veliku ružu na potkoljenici, pa dok trenira ili šeta u kratkim hlačama njegova vas ruža jednostavno ne može zaobići. Ubode, u oko.
a few years ago dinamo played against glasgow rangers here in toronto and the stadium was almost sold out
There is no point in playing an meaningless exhibition game in the US for Hajduk or Dinamo unless they could draw a big crowd. The level of soccer both teams play will not bring in every hrvat in the US. A few thousand people would show and that is it.
Awesome work guys, even 24 sata is tracking your site for news!
Good luck with the whole Croatia, Hajduk and Dinamo to America thing. If they managed to get Juventus and Hajduk over to Australia in years gone by why not to America?
Nice work again gents, glad to hear of the significant progress.
Here's a bit of breaking news/rumour regarding Simunic, and Hertha.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Aj3tTUZ60eMpGWc3WPpeHxgmw7YF?slug=goal_transfer_rumours_and&prov=goal&type=lgns
I really don't think they would bother coming all the way over here, but hey we can dream. Good to hear a lonely site in NA is getting recognition for its efforts. I still remember when there were like only 5 people on the message boards active in the beginning.
@ Steve,
I appreciate the silent follow.
As to giving people the credit they deserve, I did in fact thank Oliver in the "PSV Croatian Copy Cats" post just like I do to all our readers and followers on the site when they have breaking news.
next time give credits to the source of where you've got the story.
I'd personally follow you guys silent for a few months as well as hnslatest and am a big fan of both sites. however it isn't that cool to hype yourself with.. well, like the headline of the article says it all – copycat news.
next time do credit your source, hum?
You guys are nuts. There is no way this would ever take place. it would be a waste of money for both teams to come to N AMerica for a freindly and there is no way any stadium would be sold out for these two teams. I see some of you are talking about playing ina 20,000 seat stadium. They would not be able to draw 10,000 fans. No way!!!
AWESOME!!! CSR in 24SATA!!!
Well said to both of you guys!
It would be up to us as fans and individuals to conduct ourselves in a civilized manner. Just because its Dinamo vs. Hajduk doesn't mean the we all have to be stupid and get violent with each other. You are so right Kreso. The hooliganism garbage should not be a factor for the diaspora in North America because we are so removed from the social-political tension between Dalmatinci and Purgeri. If anything, the game should be one of the happiest occasions of all our lives and we should all feel blessed that our involvement in this site has gotten us to that point.
Yes! Denis and Ante, that's another vote for Red Bull Arena in New Jersey
The venue would have to be at a 25k to 30k stadium, agreed. However I don't think that the stupidity of club hoolaginism would interfere or hinder the event. Like it or not we are further removed from the motherland and it's sociopolitical workings which I believe is a bonding force for us…let's face it we all flock together at Croatian events and around our colours. Just think, wouldn't a Torcida fan root for the BBB if they played a foreign club or vice versa? It would also be a treat to see our boys play against some of the MLS clubs, wouldn't it?
Just a few comments regarding Hajduk and Dinamo playing in the US/Canada.
1. Security would be hell. The organizers would not be idiots. They know about the whole BBB vs. Torcida spiel which would possibly be a deterrent for them.
2. Playing in New York- it would ideal if the game was played in the new Red Bull Arena, planned to be opened 2010 with a capacity of 25,000. That way, its more of a chance to be sold out than 80,000 at Giants Stadium. Plus, the atmosphere would be more intimate. I don't know much about other Croatian populated areas in regards to the stadiums but around 20,000 to 30,000 capacity would be the best.
Overall, I think this would be an awesome idea. The logistics are probably more complex and confusing but some European clubs are already coming back to the US this summer for a tour. So it's not impossible