While Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was waving goodbye to his fans at Amersterdam ArenA on Sunday, as he will be joining Real Madrid after the new year, his new replacement, Dario Cvitanich, made it loud and clear that Huntelaar’s goal-scoring presence will not be missed.
Cvitanich secured his hat trick in the 3-0 win over Den Haag inside the first hour of play (6′, 17′, 55′). He has also scored 6 goals in the last 3 games for Ajax.
After not even being able to step onto the field for the majority of the young season, Cvitanich has definitely made it count in recent games.
So now that Cvitanich is officially on everyone’s radar, how can Bilić refuse putting him on the Croatian national squad for the Romania friendly in February if he continues to score in Holland?
And should Cvitanich get a spot on the team for a World Cup qualifier, is it ok with you for Croatia to have 2 South American born players play striker when Eduardo returns?
croatiafan
Yes, I’m all talked out now as well. I enjoyed the little “battle” we had on this topic. I haven’t posted on the blog in over 10 days! Ante has been feeding us new information and we are eating this up.
Interesting that you don’t speak highly of England since you were born and reside in England/Great Britain/United Kingdom…
Whats your story? Are you an English Cvitanich with a Croatian grandpa? Just interested. Not trying to insult you, like Vlad said, “Rakitic, Petric, Kovac borthers have a little western in them,” I wonder how much western “croatiafan” has in im.
For those of you that don’t know, and might be interested, I was born in Los Angeles, California to Croatian born parents. Lots of western mentality here I suppose, however, I will never forget my culture.
As a nine year old kid, I was introduced to world football/soccer during a summer in what was then Yugoslavia, following the Yugos in World Cup 1990. However, it wasn’t until Euro 96 qualifying when Croatia stunned the Italians in Palermo when I jumped on the bandwaggon.
Since then, I attended:
World Cup 2006
Croatia-Brazil
Croatia-Japan
Croatia-Australia
Euro2008
Croatia-Austria
Croatia-Germany (I was outside the stadium, fanzone)
Croatia-Poland
Croatia-Turkey
Ok, thats enough about me, you can only say so much about yourself online…. my boss might figure out that during last summer’s “family emergency” I was drinking beer in Austria watching Croatia-Poland….
I’m all talked out now 🙂 Let the team play. Who knows what will happen. Will watch with interest. I obviously support Croatia but as you can see i tend to watch other teams as well with a certain interest. I think Ukraine and Belarus will give us a game. I think that if we do freshen up the side we’ll overcome them. I am a tad edgy about it though. Yes i do live in England and was born here, but let me tell you it gives me no pleasure seeing what they did to us. I am not a England fan – i don’t even admire them, although i do think English kids should get more chance to play in the Premiership. In this country we have a lot of despondent youths who don’t play sport as the clubs have grown apart from the society. Hope Croatia never ends up like that. I know all those England players inside out and can’t believe they beat us like that. Our players and coach needs a kick up the backside and to start playing like we know they can.
croatiafan:)
“Any coach or fan who takes a team likely such as Belarus and Ukraine just ends up looking silly in the end.”
Yes, you are right. I never said to underestimate them or to take them lightly. Croatia cant just show up and expect to win, as proven in Malta years before. I just don’t see us in a crisis, and most importantly, I don’t think that Belarus or Ukraine are on our level. However, this doesn’t mean that we will get 6 points from Belarus by just showing up. Also, this doesnt mean that in Zagreb we will beat Ukraine. However, barring injuries, I would put the house on the line that we wont lose to either at home or away.
****UPDATE*******
Bilic sends Prosinecki to Spain to watch Bilic play. That sounded redundant. 🙂
Also, Genoas Juric is being watched as possible Niko Kovac replacement.
Bilic is not an idiot. He wont call an aging Klasnic that cant get anything going at bottom league Nantes in the weak French league.
we’ll give you an update in a bit… a little lazy right now…
love the comments guys…
anyone else out there agree or disagree with us? care to comment?
This is amusing. Any coach or fan who takes a team likely such as Belarus and Ukraine just ends up looking silly in the end. I doubt most Croatia fans on here even know the players in Ukraine and Belarus team. They are the decisive matches which qualify us or not. We don’t just walk into those games and win. We have to be ready. At present with a coach who still has no solution to Kovac’s retiring and who would persist with the three i’ve mentioned i.e Kalinic, Mandzukic and Klasnic. As you say the Romania match will show if Bilic is awake or if he has been sleeping during the whole of this last two months. If he chooses the same squad again then it will shows he’s not been paying attention to the form of what he can select. I expect he’ll make changes though and that’ll be good. Then we’ll be ready.
I’m not saying drop Klasnic completely and never invite him back again, i’m saying we should let Klasnic know that what he is doing is not good enough to try and get him to play better. He is a good player, but surely a croatia shirt should be deserved and not handed to a player for doing little.
We aren’t talking about a year ago.. we are talking about now. As for Mate Bilic as said before i’ve followed him for a while. Its his game that i like the most which i think is better than Kalinic for one. With his form he also deserves a chance.
croatiafan:)
“We have better strikers out there capable of making a bid for the shirt of Petric and Olic most notably Bilic, Rukavina, Dudu and Cvitanich.”
Bilic and Rukavina have just started playing. Yes, they both deserve a call up. However, 6 months ago? Bilic who? Rukavina who? Cvitanich who?
Also, Eduardo, before he was injured had the starting shirt every game. Eduardo was lost for the Euros and Bilic brought on Mandukic and Klasnic. Klasnic was still playing ok before he went to Nantes. I would be really stunned to see Klasnic called up for the friendly, his career is winding down.
“As for England they aren’t special”
and Ukraine and Belarus are, right?
“I also feel but Terry and Ferdinand on Olic and Petric and we are struggling.”
ya think. two of the top five defenders in the world and we are struggling…hmmmn…
what do belarus and Ukraine have to offer? Where is their Terry and Ferdinand?
You have to remember, England is not the same as they were last qualifying round. A manager makes half the team, as proven by England. Where would they be today with Mr. umbrella man?
“You are supposed to find a alternative solution for beating England – not just okay Olic and Petric have another go.”
I agree with you on this. However, the England match is 9 months away. Yes, we will test new strikers. Rukavina, Bilic, Cvitanich, Mandukic, and Kalinic will get looks… depending on Eduardo’s return, at least two of them will get a test, now the question is which two?
anonymous
A name would be nice so we know, who you are. Good stuff, hopefully, you stay with us..
All of the players that you have mentioned spoke Croatian before they were even considered playing for Croatia. Eduardo, obviously had to learn Croatian in his mid teens. Cvitanich, growing up most likely couldn’t locate Croatia on a map.
Eduardo will always have a love for Brazil, this is obvious.
Klasnic, Kovac, Petric and Rakitic had posters of Suker, Boban and Prosinecki on their bedroom doors.
Ask Cvitanich how many Maradona postes were on his wall growing up and maybe even to this day.
Regards Cvitanich if Argentina called him he would play for them. However if Klasnic, Kovac’s were made central to Germany rather than being squad players for Germany do u think they’d say no???
Also have u heard Eduardo’s talking of his love for Vasco Da Gama and he idolises Romario. I think there is a part of Dudu which knows he could have made Brazil squad if he waited. Also Rakitic, Petric would not complain about playing every game for Switzerland and as for Simunic he is very Australian. Having u heard that guy talk English with his strong Aussie accent. He would have played with pride for Aus. The thing is they have all got the taste for Croatia now. Once Cvitanich plays for us its his team not Argentina so he’ll be the same as the others.
I love the Croatia squad we have, but the squad must keep progressing. I would accuse Bilic off going stale on Croatia. Sometimes it seems he does freshen our squad up and keeps churning out the same players. I’m calling for an end to this sort of mentality. We have tried these players like Klasnic, Olic and Petric and we’ve had some nasty looking results (Hungary, Ukraine and England and they didn’t play well against Austria either). People say we have no problem up front. As i said before Petric was injured in Euro and is playing better now, but Olic and Petric need to be under pressure for their places and i don’t feel our current strikers we have in Kalinic, Mandzukic and Klasnic are capable of this. We have better strikers out there capable of making a bid for the shirt of Petric and Olic most notably Bilic, Rukavina, Dudu and Cvitanich. So therefore this is what we need to do in our next squad. If we keep the strikeforce the same its not strong enough sorry.
Petric is a good player, but he can be lazy. He did a lot of walking in the Euro. He needs pressure all the time to play well. Fans should be innovative and force coaches to change things. We can’t go round saying Klasnic being selecting whilst playing poor for Nantes is fine. Its not. If thats the case then maybe Marko Babic should come back in. Thats all i’m saying. As for the fact he plays FC Nantes why should Klasnic being omitted blame. Olic scored loads of goals in Marsonia when they were bottom of the league. If you are a good player you can still do it in a bad club. Klasnic has no excuse for his poor goal return so far.
Also i’m sorry but i seen Ukraine and Belarus playing and they are a match for us. Have u ever seen Dinamo Kiev playing. There is some talented Ukrainian guys there. We have to be ready for them. As for Belarus they are on the up as well. They were great against England. They just had a few too many injured players out.
As for England they aren’t special – they beat us with a underdog mentality and definitely not technically better than ukraine or belarus. They didn’t play there best players against us. They played tactically. Heskey for examples never scores for England or Wigan, but was used to unsettle or defence with his strength and pace. I also feel but Terry and Ferdinand on Olic and Petric and we are struggling. I’m using that as the reason why we need Cvitanich. As for that we don’t play them every day – maybe not but it doesn’t mean you lay down and die. You are supposed to find a alternative solution for beating England – not just okay Olic and Petric have another go.
Croat and croatiafan:(
What a battle. Back and forth you two. A few things for you both..
Croat,
Yes, your English is a little off, not a problem. You are more than welcome on this site. However, please refrain(stop) from using profanity(fucking, dirty english fan).
you are right about Croatiafan being a little too critical of our offense and the team. Might be a perfectionist.
Croatiafan:),
I don’t mind you “disagreeing forever” as long as you have an opinion that you stick with I’m satisfied. There might be a little confusion in the word “passionate.”
“Being Croatian doesn’t make you passionate on the pitch or play well.”
You are right in this statement. However, I never said otherwise.
I remember watching Suker, Boban, Vlaovic and some of the players today play for club and country. They would all play with more heart and passion once they throw on that Croatian shirt.
The question that you and everyone else on here fail to answer is this:
Would Cvitanich play with more passion for Argentina or Croatia?
The answer is obvious. Why would we want someone like this on Croatia? Why take someone that became available cause someone doesn’t want him. Croatia is not the LA Clippers of the world, we are an exclusive club as well.
As far as Croatia qualifying…
“Otherwise we won’t qualify and Croatiafans can be passionate sitting at home doing nothing in 2008. I’m confident Belarus and Ukraine will beat us unless we start scoring more.”
Are you giving up on your team already? We lost to a well coached on fire England, and we tied at Ukraine. There is no need to complain here.
Should I be scared of “Belarus and Ukraine”. I can name 25 countries that are better than Belarus and Ukraine.
Since World Cup 2002, it has been our defense that won games for us. Yes, if we tie every game 0-0, we don’t qualify. However, besides Shevchenko(in his prime) Belarus and Ukraine have never seen a striker like Olic, Petric, and Klasnic.
Would I like us to score 5+ goals per game? yes. Are there other strikers out there I would chose over Olic, Petric, and Klasnic? yes. However, I would only chose CROATIANS!
Eduardo is our adopted son, we already went over this 🙂
If we can’t beat Ukraine and Belarus at home, we don’t deserve to go.
No need to reach for the panic button. As of right now, we are still on course for second in this group, and I only here Croatian names in “transfer news” around the world. The premeireship isn’t looking at Ukrainians or Belorussians.
next comment
“(a) Olic and Petric were ineffective against England when they have their best defenders starting. FACT.”
wow, this is unbelievable.
First, do we play England every day?
Second, on paper, England has a top 3 in the world defense? They don’t get scored on at all.
third, both Olic and Petric are tearing up the Bundesliga this year.
There are only five or six countries in the world that wouldn’t take Olic and Petric on their squad.
“If you think those 5 will overcome Belarus, Ukraine and England you are not being realistic. Our team needs revamping.”
First, you can’t put England, Belarus and Ukraine in the same group. What are you thinking?
Our team needs revamping? after one loss to a powerful England? Personally, this second, I think England is the strongest team in the world.
A little over a month until Romania? I’m interested to find out the lineups..
Well atleast i dont boo are own country and saying were going to loose every game like somebody we know.
yeah well find someone else to moan about rather than moaning about someone who actually agrees with you about Cvitanich 🙂
your right im Croatian =) thats why i dont know all words in english
When i said regards Cvitanich i’ll disagree forever, i meant i disagree with Denis about Cvitanich not that i disagree that Cvitanich should play. I also think what Cvitanich feels like on the bus has nothing to do with Croatia fans. The only thing that is important is what he does on the field.
Re: Croat
How did you come to write that email. Can’t you read or something. I totally advocate Cvitanich being in our squad and its most of the other people on here that don’t. The point i am making that without Cvitanich and Eduardo back and Bilic and Rukavina being considered we will struggle against Belarus, Ukraine and England. I don’t like our current strikeforce of Olic, Petric, Klasnic, Mandzukic and Kalinic. Its not good enough. We need Cvitanich and Eduardo. You either can’t read mate or you can’t read English. one or the other.
(a) Olic and Petric were ineffective against England when they have their best defenders starting. FACT.
(b) Mandzukic and Kalinic have made little impression in Europe thus far and are not ready.
(c) Klasnic is out of form.
If you think those 5 will overcome Belarus, Ukraine and England you are not being realistic. Our team needs revamping. Bilic can’t sit there and wait for his contract to end. He needs to find answers cos he didn’t have the right team against England and against Ukraine we nulified them, but we couldn’t score. We have played a game more than Ukraine and if they win we go 3 points behind them. This is a new situation for us. Last time it happened Baric was coach and nearly got the sack. He changed the team and brought in Srna, Tomo Maric and Prso and made a big difference. We need some similar action from Baric. If that means Klasnic is out the squad, sorry but no matter how much i like the guy that’s whats got to happen. Do you think Bilic is scared of dropping him for scoring only 2 goals this season. Just watch what happens if he continues to not score. Please not why Marko Babic is currently not in our squad. Its nothing to do with his ability, if players don’t score or perform for there clubs – they don’t play. Also it was Klasnic’s decision to join FC Nantes. He had other interest. If he joins a bad club we can’t continually let him off for that and say to Mate Bilic and Ante Rukavina – sorry but we don’t care about how well your playing. Klasnic doesn’t have preferential treatment.
First of all Croatianfan you rlly have fucking problems thinking that ukraine england and blearus will beat us whats wrong with your supposed to be behind your team not against them you say your passoinate about your country then prove it looks to me all you do is Brag how were going to loose and you hate Dario Look at england 2 or more players are african english they dont even have english blood do you think they care no i dont think so and what are you a mind reader that dario wont be passionate? Give him a chance. You said also that half of our squad cant score hmmm lets see WE scored hell alot at euro we lost some players during england and other games. and whats with you and hating Klasnic i think he is even playing better i believe he said that he feels much stronger and that he thanks god that he is playing still and that proves to you that he is going to give it all becuase of that micrale i promise you if he went to MAnchester Utd or Some Top club that he will score for sure, you can take any player like C.Ronaldo or Rooney to the shitties club and they wont score you know why???? becuase they dont have the players do surport them, Thats whats with Klasnic. If you seen him with Croatia we have alot players who surport him and he scores, Oh and also didnt bilic say he is hungry for goals to?. You also say you have to be passionate to play well to score goals hell no look at Niko Kovac he would die for Croatia look at him Being Passionate and playing well does not mean scoring goals every match or every other match It means what are you willing to do. To me it looks like your a dirty english fan so you can go over there and boo at the players becuase thats all they do. Thats why we have Slaven bilic as coach and not you
Re: Klasnic
I don’t think he is a bad player. In 2006 he was my favorite Croatia player, but a kidney transplant is a massive thing to happen to someones fitness and health if they want to be top in their sport. He has definitely weakened as before this happened Klasnic was a first eleven striker in a big team Werder Bremen and now has chosen a mid table French table. Therefore Klasnic knows he’s lost the edge he had before. We also can’t play players who don’t play well or score enough for their clubs. Croatia has competition for places and the only way to avoid anarchy and unhappiness is to select people on their merits. Not to have vendetta’s (ahem Niko Kranjcar – Vlad) or favorites but to let the players form do the talking with their play. If Klasnic starts scoring he should be back in the fold, but at present he doesn’t deserve a Croatia shirt. Its the only way to do it.
Regards Cvitanich i’ll disagree forever. Being Croatian doesn’t make you passionate on the pitch or play well. Mornar was a very very passionate whole hearted player, but couldn’t score for Croatia. If you can’t apply your passion to your play, then what is the point in being passionate. And yes sorry Croatia does have striking problems. Really bagging in the goals at the moment aren’t we. We just cross the ball to each other at the moment and never finish anything off. Not only do we need Cvitanich, but Eduardo back as well. Otherwise we won’t qualify and Croatiafans can be passionate sitting at home doing nothing in 2008. I’m confident Belarus and Ukraine will beat us unless we start scoring more.
2009!
New year, new problems. Hopefully, everyone enjoyed themselves the past few days. Croatia-Romania is around the corner.
Rob,
I think you misunderstood me:
“It’s not about “winning” its about HOW you win. Personally, I would not cheat to win. Cheating is ok to someone who agrees with “whatever it takes to win.””
Some people are ok with shirt pulling, elbowing(Ante), pushing, shoving, flopping, just to “whatever it takes to win.” This is part of the game that Fifa works on year in year out. Handing out yellows for simulation is genius.
As far as adding Cvitanich to the squad: nothing illegal there and no cheating involved. I have to apologize to you as I didn’t mean to accuse you of cheating, now reading it over, it appears to sound this way.
“Similarly, if i was presented with a choice of playing good looking soccer and going out in the group stage vs. less fluid soccer and going to the final of the European Championship, I would take the latter.”
I agree with you as far as before the match or as far as going down in history. Let me give you an example:
FIFA Club World Championship Toyota Cup Japan 2005
http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=107/edition=4735/matches/match=47350007/report.html
Liverpool lost to Sao Paolo 1-0 after hitting the post several times, outshooting the Brazilians 21-4, 17-0 on corners, dominating them from start to finish… Sao Paolo had 2 shots on goal and one went in. I will forever remember Liverpool as champions. They went out with their heads held high. Sometimes it just doesnt go in. I would be proud of my team(not liverpool by the way) of giving everything and then some.
Ultimately, you are judged by results and by goals. Defenders never receive credit even for shutouts. winners and goal scorers get all the glory. Look at our poll for “Croatian player of the year.” How much love is Corluka and Simunic getting?
Only one question for you? Would you be satisfied if Croatia was Sao Paolo and won the world cup this way like the Brazilians did against Liverpool? If I was a player, I would hand the trophy to Liverpool. Once again, just my opinion.
“Nobody ever remembers who played the best football or who the nicest guy was.”
True football fans remember. Not even six months ago, everyone remembers that Klasnic scored against Turkey. Who remembers how Corluka and Simunic played? Most people don’t. Bottom line, results and goals are remembered and valued over performance.
Ante
“International football is the purest form of sport in the world today. You play for your country and once you step onto that field, you can play more no one else. You play for pride of self and pride of country where money and transfers mean absolutely nothing. You can see a great player play from age 17-35. Watch the same player for almost 2 decades pour his blood, sweat and tears into the same cause your rooting for.”
BRILLIANT!!
Croatiafan:)
“I think Croatia fans will love his play. The reason i’d like him in the team is cos i know he;s our missing peice to our jigsaw.”
I think anyone on this site questioned his ability to play and what he would bring to the NT. Personally, I think he would be a great fit. Also, as far as being “passionate”, “you can learn a national anthem.” Hard to be passionate about something you learn at 24, while others have learned at the age of 5.
“(a) Croatia can resolve its problems”
We don’t have any problems. For every player in the starting 11, there is someone better. However, blood, sweat, and tears bring you glory. Look at Greece of Euro 2004, all Greek.
Oliver
“but, and thats not only my point of view or feeling because many of my friends are saying that, i am also croatian: i think different, i behave different, so much more passionated on many topics or with so much more feelings… im proud for my roots, i love the country man.
and i think thats what it should be: if i had to choose which country i would play for, germany or croatia – i would definately pick croatia. its not a decision by thinking, its totaly heart-listened. if youre on the pitch you give everything. playing for your homecountry is about passion, the will to win for your family, friends and for all compatriots.”
Thats what I’m talking about man! Cvitanich won’t even have a slice of this. What about when the team is singing on the bus after victory? Dario will sit there and look pretty?
everyone
Bottom line on Cvitanich, if Maradona called him right now, would he decline? I would put the house on the line that he would accept Argentina’s invitation. Wouldn’t you if you were Cvitanich? Do you really want “sloppy seconds”.
Club = $$$, country = exposure to clubs where you get the $$$, no country = no club. Every player starting on Croatia is at a top club(yes Shakhtar and Monaco are top clubs) If and when Cvitanich starts on Croatia and scores a few goals, Real Madricd will be knocking on the door.
ok look at Rakitic he wanted to play for swiz but his dad wanted him to play for Croatia when he went to Croatia we all seen that he is passionate for the country cant we all give Dario the same chance?? and Klasnic you say is bad striker? i guess you didnt see euro 08 only reason he is lacking in nantes is beacuse of the young squad he is working with. olic Petric are fine Olic scored goals in euro Petric in qualfying group. Also you guys say that holland league is bad look where petric and rakitic played swiz league…but still did good for Croatia of course they moved then. AS long as they play Bilic will be happy. And us loosing to england again that was a funny joke LOL.
Check this out: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=606267&sec=transfers&cc=5901 (Serbia is my prediction to win their World Cup Group, although France & Romania cause problems, this duo just moved onto more serious club territory).
Thanks guys, happy new year…let’s hope that 09 is even better then 08!
Happy New Year to all of you!!!
TO everyone on this site Happy New Year to you all to. hope you have a great 2009!
I am also headed out of town in a few hours to celebrate the new year. As Denis is headed north to San Francisco I will be driving south to San Diego as we have both learned that he two of us together on New Year’s night does not work.
So to everyone who makes this site what it is, thank you for a fantastic inaugural year here at CSR. I could have only dreamed that this many intelligent football fans would find the site and be so consistent in their thoughts and analysis, but it has indeed come true.
Can’t wait for a promising 2009 for Croatian soccer. The Return of Dudu. The rematch at Wembley. The pursuit to South Africa. It should be another fun one and I’m glad you all are enjoying the site.
So to Joze, Marko, Oliver, Ante BBB, croatiafan:), Rob, Ivica, Frane Trpimir, Alex, Matt, Pintar, Vlad, Peter, Luka, EroHercegovac and Adrien- have a fantastic New Year’s and talk to you in ’09.
Thanks Denis! You too man!
Anyway its not true Eduardo and Cvitanich will start straight away. Give Bilic more credit than that. Bilic selects on current form and Olic and Petric deserve to start our next game on current form and its up to Cvitanich and Eduardo to displace them. Dudu won’t walk straight back in the team and neither will Dario. Bilic will treat Dudu with kid gloves and ease him in gently. Petric deserves to start next game though. I think Cvitanich and Dudu is healthier competition for Olic and Petric than Klasnic, Kalinic and Mandzukic at the moment. It doesn’t help when players know there place is secure as they get lazy.
Cvitanich also has a problem with playing in Eiredivisie which is a poor league. If Petric keeps banging in the goals for HSV as far as i’m concerned 1 goal in the Bundesliga counts for 2 or 3 in holland, so Cvitanich will have to start on the bench. It will all amount to healthier competition. Once Klasnic is dropped he’ll have to play harder too rather than the trype he’s currently serving up at Nantes. Ladic will also have Kalinic back to help the Under 21’s and Mate Bilic and Mandzukic can have a battle for the 5th striking birth. I think the return of Dudu and adding Cvitanich and Bilic will make us a better squad than we’ve been since Eduardo broke his leg. Since Dudu left we’ve not had a competitive strikeforce. We’ve had inexperienced HNL players and unfit players like Budan and Klasnic so I think Rob talks sense when he says our strikeforce lacks depth. It does. If we don’t freshen it up and make a fight for places we’ll probably lose again to England and also have tough games against Belarus and Ukraine to come.
HAPPY 2009:)
Marin Cilic will win Wimbledon and Croatia will finish first in the qualifying group.
They are my wishes for 09′ =)
Almost forgot,
polls are looking good! 49 of you have voted so far for player of the year…….
Heading off to San Francisco in a few hours to celebrate a promising 2009. I shall return on the 3rd with plenty to write about, especially on this controversial topic.
I don’t have the time or energy to reply to some of your well thought analysis and opinions. Stay tuned.
Lastly, I’d like to wish Joze, Marko, Oliver, Ante BBB, croatiafan:), Ante Kvartuč, Rob, Ivica, Frane Trpimir (Australia), Alex, Matt, Pintar, Vlad, Peter, Luka, EroHercegovac, Branimir, Adrien, and all the rest of you readers a safe and prosperous 2009.
2008 was the year of the Spaniards
(Nadal-Wimbledon, Davis Cup-Spain, Euro2008-Spain, olympics-basketball final, gave dream team a scare in the final)
Why can’t 2009 be the year of the Croats
The guy wants to play for us, let him play. People are being Haters for No reason! Half our starters weren’t born in Croatia…so whats the big deal. His grandparents are Croatian, what more do you want. As for the language issue he will learn Croatian over time. Also, he will get in contact with his roots, see the country of his ancestors, and who knows, maybe find a wife there :)…I see no problem with him!
Go Cvitanic!!!!!
Prosinecki speaks Spanish so apparantly he is going to help him out with details…But Prosinecki isnt on the pitch
I find it a bit disheartening that he doesn’t even speak Croatian. I don’t mind having him on the team (Eduardo comes to mind), but Eduardo speaks impeccable Croatian, its amazing really. Don’t you think it would pose some problems with communication?
Ante, afaik its an away game and will be played in the romanian capital, bukarest.
as for cvitanich or the discussion about who should be picked up in the national squad with foreign roots i think its hard to comment on any player.
me and my family left the country in the times of war, i was 5 years old at that time. and since than all my links to the country are just when im down for vacation and to visit my family. i live, study and work in germany – i am (partly) german, maybe not only passport wise (i have both) since im here for almost 20 years now.
but, and thats not only my point of view or feeling because many of my friends are saying that, i am also croatian: i think different, i behave different, so much more passionated on many topics or with so much more feelings… im proud for my roots, i love the country man.
and i think thats what it should be: if i had to choose which country i would play for, germany or croatia – i would definately pick croatia. its not a decision by thinking, its totaly heart-listened. if youre on the pitch you give everything. playing for your homecountry is about passion, the will to win for your family, friends and for all compatriots.
i think it simply cant be descriebed what it would be playing and winning games or a tournament for your country. i deeply understood the tears, and also i had some in my eyes, after loosing to france leading 1-0 or to turkey also leading 1-0. i understand the tears winning so much anticipated games like against germany.
slaven bilic, pick cvitanovich up if he truely wants to play for the vatreni. dedication and love for the homeland is true – money or only the ability to play international arent the way of what i understand means to play for croatia.
cheerio and all the best
oliver
When and where would the friendly be in February against Romania? Please let me know
-BBB
Regards where the cut off point is i think its this,
(a) Croatia can resolve its problems in its squad with a Croatian and doesn’t need to think about a Cvitanich.
(b) The player has no Croatian family tie whatsoever.
I think Cvitanich meets criteria (b) and i think Eduardo meets criteria (b) as his wife and children are Croatian and he’s given something to Croatia and showed commitment and passion expected. Cvitanich has to do the same otherwise its bye bye.
The cut off point is really Dmitriu Mitu, Chago, Patrice Kwedi, Sammir, Etto and Carlos who took up Croatian citizenship to get games for us, but who aren’t good enough and especially the first three should really been trying harder to get in their own countries squad.
I don;t think Croatia has altered enough as a country to allow the above criteria to change. It won’t be ready for some years to allow major immigration and is too small a country anyway. Its still very passionate about the war issues and its still very nationalistic. Its not got to thinking about economics and allowing a lot of immigration. I think the opportunity and youth developments of Croatians is still very good thanks to HNL and other countries are invaluable to us at present for developing our players into fitter top quality internationals with better structured leagues and facilities. Lets not forget what happened to Hjorve Custic when we think about our own domestic structure. Slaven Bilic has seen a thing or two abroad and is a progressive coach and may take Cvitanich. However i think he will make him play hard to ever get in and will drop him at the first opportunity when he plays poor which is what we need to be a top side. A guy like Otto Baric might be a bit more brutal and says your Argentine so your not in, but Bilic will deal with it in the right way. What Croatia must never do is get too internal cos our league has problems and country has problems. We have to keep on searching for players with Croatian parents and Croatians from Bosnia and Australia as well as the HNL stars as international football is becoming stronger. The teams in Africa are becoming real class and South American sides like Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay etc are probably as good as us as well and are getting imported more and more to the top leagues. We have to keep being progressive and think about Cvitanich. Any Eduardo and Cvitanich we think about have to be top quality though and they have to have a family connection in some way or have given the same as Eduardo. I think if we take Cvitanich we won’t really be doing anything wrong. If he didn’t have any Croatian in him, UEFA wouldn’t allow it. As he meets the criteria i say let the guy play and make him the exception due to the fact he’s helping us reach the next level.
Regards Dario Srna I’ve read that Hajduk Split did not want him originally cos his father was muslim, so even that guy gets questioned whether he’s really Croatian. Srna cried but he is a passionate guy whereas Petric and Kranjcar strolled around the pitch v Turkey not really giving their all and they are Croatian. I think Srna’s crying has more to do with him as an individual rather than whether he is a Croat or not.
Actually from what i’ve seen of Dario Cvitanich he is very passionate. In fact he has a side to him which some Argentine players i.e Heinze have which is too much agression and can sometimes be nasty. I think Croatia fans will love his play.
The reason i’d like him in the team is cos i know he;s our missing peice to our jigsaw. At present Croatia is a team without Eduardo who will outplay the opposition for 90 minutes with strikers like Olic and Petric who will take on players, put in great crosses show good skill, but never score regularly. Does this sound familiar like the Turkey, Poland, Ukraine game.
What Cvitanich does is stay in box and score. He can also head the ball and am frankly bored of watching Srna, Modric, Rakitic and Kranjcar cross and nobody being able to head the ball in the centre so i want Cvitanich. And he is partly Croatian. His grandparent is so isn’t that good enough. I’m sure Cvitanich feels for this grandparent and is proud to represent his country. As far as i’m concerned Cvitanich is not like Bilos. Bilos flopped in Europe and didn’t want to play for us. Cvitanich is quality and does want to play for us. If we don’t select him we are just throwing away a good player unneccessarily.
Croatia has some really decent players and Cvitanich will really help give something more. If he was just bog standard then we shouldn’t bother, but this is a real quality player we are talking abour. We should not worry about small things like that he was born and raised like a Argentine. Spain don’t worry about it when they choose Marcos Senna as their key defensive midfelder to win Euro 2008 so why should we. I think we should draw the line after Cvitanich though. Cvitanich and Eduardo are exceptions due to their class. I know the arguement about that you shouldn;t do whatever just to win. Who wants to be a bunch of losers though.
At the end of the day Cvitanich is a card we have in our hands. We can drop him when we aren’t satisfied and feel that he gives the team nothing. I think i’ve definitely said my peice on Cvitanich anyway. I said he had to prove he was good enough to get in. He’s reached 6 goals in quicker time than i thought. What we can’t do though is persist with people like Klasnic who clearly don;t deserve a Croatia shirt just now. With Cvitanich or Bilic or Rukavina we need to inject competition to our strikeforce. Eduardo, Olic, Petric, Mandzukic and Kalinic have been in without having to do much thus far. We need a fight for places. In midfield we have Rakitic, Kranjcar and Modric who are competing to be the playmaker and attack Eduardo, Petric, Olic and Cvitanich competiting for a striking birth i think will make us stronger and will most likely qualify us. At present our team is layered. With some players who are better than others in the squad. We need to take out the ones who aren’t good enough in the squad and put in more in form players like Cale, Galinovic, Cvitanich, Rukavina and Bilic and take out Drpic, Vejic, Niko Kovac, Robert Kovac, Klasnic, Kalinic and maybe Mandzukic and we’ll be much healthier as a squad.
It’s not whether Bilic will make the right decision or if Dario can produce for us. That’s not what I’m worried about.
International football is the purest form of sport in the world today. You play for your country and once you step onto that field, you can play more no one else. You play for pride of self and pride of country where money and transfers mean absolutely nothing. You can see a great player play from age 17-35. Watch the same player for almost 2 decades pour his blood, sweat and tears into the same cause your rooting for.
We all know that the Kovac’s, Simunic, Rakitic have no problem for arguement. They were raised Croatian by full Croatian parents, speak it fluently and visit throughout the year.
I want to know where the cut off will be and I think that cut-off is Eduardo. Yes, he was born and raised in Brazil, but he moved to Croatia at age 15, still very young, embraced the culture, learned the language, married a Croatian and loves Croatia. Sure he didn’t live in Croatia during the war but he’s embraced everything he could in the time he’s been there. I think that’s the cut off.
Dario does not speak the language, had never stepped foot in Cro and if he had to choose to play between Argentina and Croatia he would choose Argentina. We all know that. We’re getting sloppy seconds if anything if Dario plays for us. It’s not cheating but every Croatian should know that we’re not getting the real deal. He will never cry like Srna did after the Turkey game. Never. End of story.
Although I don’t consider Cvitanich Croatian, most of the world probably would just because of his surname.
He dosent speak Croatian, he’s never been there and only his dida was a Croat. He will never be the same as the Kovac brothers or Simunic…lets face it he has far more Argentinian blood flowing through his veins than Croatian.
But no matter what I think or you think…he’s available for Croatia. And thats never going to change..so we may aswell use him if he’s scoring goals like this.
Denis,
I understand your concern with keeping the team “croatian.” But to me, it is a stretch to say that if Cvitanich played for us, that would be ‘cheating’. I do not condone nor support cheating to win. But i respectfully have to disagree with “how you play” being of more importance. You cannot always be perfect or play the best all the time. Sometimes you ‘need to win ugly’ as they say. It doesn’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winning is winning. Could you honestly say you would rather see us dominate Ukraine in the next qualifier and lose, then play so so and win? I couldn’t. Similarly, if i was presented with a choice of playing good looking soccer and going out in the group stage vs. less fluid soccer and going to the final of the European Championship, I would take the latter. I would imagine (and hope) that the players would feel the same way, and judging by how devastated they were at the loss against Turkey (when we clearly outplayed them), playing the ‘better’ soccer of the two teams was of little consolation.
Nobody ever remembers who played the best football or who the nicest guy was. They only remember who won and who lost. Winning and losing is the essence of competition, and competition is central to the beauty of sports. If these guys were not hungry to win, they would all receive participant trophies and not be devastated after a loss. I have yet to see a trophy handed out for “playing the best looking football.”
Furthermore, I was disappointed after the loss to France. Not angry or upset with my team, but disappointed. I think most fans were. When you have a special team and you are that close to going all the way, it is natural to feel that way.
There are lots of ‘imports’ on our team that have been taken from the croatian diaspora, if you will, Dudu included. It is understood by many that he is married to a croat, speaks the language, embraces the culture, etc etc. Myself personally, if Slaven Bilic feels comfortable and confident in calling him to the squad, then I trust his judgement and will root for Dario to succeed. I trust that he would be a better judge of Dario and his intentions then all of us are from the outside looking in. If the fit is not meant to be or he does not feel it will work, then he will not be called up to the NT. Case closed.
I understand that we have many good players as well, but at the Euro Cup we were deficient on attack, no denying it. How many big goals have we gotten from Petric or Olic? Yes they are prolific at the club level, but what about the NT? Olic is still living off of his goal against Italy in 02. That’s not to say these guys are bad players, because they aren’t. I just felt that with a quality PROVEN finisher or a true number 9, we advance to the semi-finals at least. I was super proud of what we were able to achieve without having that player (thanks martin taylor). We were able to control play and play attractive soccer from the d through to the midfield, but that killer instinct around goal just was not there. But no sense in crying over spilt milk, what’s done is done and that is history now.
Sorry for the rambling on as well. No offense taken either, Denis. I generally agree with most of your opinions, but i can’t agree with you all the time =). We are all friends here and i respect everyones viewpoints and their right to have their own opinions, even if I don’t always agree with them, as I’m sure others do with me and mine. That is the beauty of a site like this, being able to convey our different ideas and opinions amongst fellow fans.
But lets see how this all plays out first before we judge. Dario may wow us all and assimilate much like Dudu did. Or perhaps he is the next Bilos. Time will tell. But I am all for improving our team in the right way and with the right players, and I too am interested to see what Bilic will decide on for the national team going forward.
Rob
“Yes, whatever helps us win.”
This is the Italian mentality. This is the reason they never got any respect for winning the world cup in ’06. After playing an exciting “different” brand of Italian football, Italy goes all out defense for the final and wins in PK’s.
It’s not about “winning” its about HOW you win. Personally, I would not cheat to win. Cheating is ok to someone who agrees with “whatever it takes to win.”
Rob, sorry, don’t mean to sound harsh. I hope you don’t take it the wrong way. We appreciate your comments and insight on the game. This is why this website is still running.
I think most importantly, what Croatian people don’t realize most of the time is:
We are a small nation of 4.5 million people! What we have accomplished as a sports nation is mind boggling and in most cases unexplainable.
Croatia will never have a “galacticos” team. Even our world cup 98 team were not “galacticos”. However, as a team, as a unit, as one, we were a well oiled machine.
As far as
“The only department we have been truly deficient in is goal-scoring”
Ivica Olic, Mladen Petric and dudu as strikers is not deficient. Sure, we aren’t Argentina, but we can’t complain. World cup 2002 we were deficient in strikers.
We (Croatians) expect our team to win at everything (i.e. Croatian song “Hrvatska je prvak svijeta”, which is impossible. Anything else is unacceptable. I remember people being disappointing when Croatia lost to France in 98. People, a country of 4.5 million made the semifinals of the greatest event in the world.
People sometimes put a heavy price on victory. I would rather dominate and lose, then be dominated and win.
Ok, kind of got carried away. Remember, we are all friends on this site, and more importantly this is OUR site were we can get together and learn from each other.
It will be interesting to see who will suit up for Croatia next year in Bucharest.
Yes, whatever helps us win. The only department we have been truly deficient in is goal-scoring…if we can get him and dudu going, along with petric and olic in reserve, croatia will finally have some QUALITY depth up front.