Photo: Branimir Kvartuč
Team CroatianSports celebrating & lamenting the Euro 2012 mock draw
With the official Euro 2012 draw set for Friday, December 2nd at Noon (ET), CroatianSports.com thought it would be fun to have our own draw to see how things could possibly pan out. With Croatia in Pot 3, they very well can be placed in a ‘Group of Death’. It can’t turn out any worse than the mock draw as the Vatreni were placed in Group C with world champions Spain and Euro 2008 finalists Germany.
I think we need to organize and head to EURO 2012 !!!
Frane
—VATRENI LOS ANGELES—
@AZ,
Agreed. Corluka needs to get out ASAP. He may not be an elite RB, but the man is class and should move on to a better situation.
@King Bronk,
Without getting too political here (as I know the boys are striving hard to keep the soccer topics soccer-centric), I have never been a proponent of Croatia joining the EU. Sadly, from my point of view, it is basically inevitable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UGA5SsrfJkE#!
check this out
@balaban
corluka playing like shit?
he is not even match fit…how to expect him to perform well immediately? especially with team mates who are not match fit as well…
Media and websites seem to be condemning corluka and gallas for their performances…but i dont see how they could..unless they perform badly for several consecutive games
Ireland are also dark horses. Germany look unbeatable this year.
France and Sweden are the sleepers in this tourney 😛
Corluka is playing like shit against paok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq6mYvi4alo
I don’t see anything here Ante and the only thing I was dreaming about passed out in Scorpio was I need food. No more false statements please.
Hey Ante when exactly did you do that? No I don’t recall of you doing that, what I did in my video was all original. So sorry fella, no props to you. The video was awesome either way and you didn’t even steal my thing. I didn’t fist pump like you did, I simply turned my back to camera then turned around in dramatic fashion.
UPDATE!!! I’ll be doing my very own video for the draw on Friday. I’ll be recording from a friend’s living room as we will record the live draw and give our thoughts. It will be very entertaining like everything I do. It will be posted on Croatiansports.com
The bottom line is that we qualified for Euros! However, we should have tried harder for a victory in game two with the Turks. Why Eduardo, our most prolific goal scorer does not come in early in the second half still boggles my mind.
Facts: (no brain surgeons required)
1 – Our team knows well in advance that a victory will solidify a Pot 2 placement.
2 – The turks are missing “quality” players from their lineup from the first game. Any game changer they have is not playing. Oh, and please don’t refer to Colin Kazim-Richards as a game changer. We all saw what he did with his chance to score. Nice save Pleti!
3 – We are playing the second game in our backyard.
With a victory we go into Pot 2 and our percentages of a favourable draw are inhanced dramatically. A little more urgency in the second half to go for the win would have been nice. We had some chances to score in the game, but not enough quality chances. If anything sitting back gave the Turks more quality chances to score. You gotta believe that some money changed hands when Turkey got the draw. There was a side deal orchestrated between the Russian Football Union and Hiddink in order to get a draw so Russia goes into Pot 2. Money, Money, Money, Money, Mooooney…. MONEY!
On a positive note, hopefully the stars align for us on Friday.
I would really like to avoid the Germany and Spain combo. Arguably the two best teams in the world. No thanks, I will take a pass. If they want to come out and play later, bring it on! Give the Spain/Germany combo to the Greeks see how they like it. 🙂
Everything I do is original. I think Allen picked up that move from me during my last visit to NY. Or he dreamt it while passed out at the Scorpio bar…one of those two.
@Ivica…..good point on the IF statements. if this, if that.
IF my aunt had balls………..she would be my uncle.
I like the start of the video with the backwards fist pumping from Ante…totally stolen/mocked from AllenOutraged last video.
@Jersey Cro
You can look at it both ways.
Take away those two WC2010 qualifying results against us (where England were at their peak and extra motivated against us, with us being injury-plagued in each game), and suddenly the record is even.
I get the point you’re trying to make, but using IF statements mean little.
I’ve been saying it since the beginning, I want England and France in our group…and I’ll take a BIG pass on Germany and Spain (and to a lesser extent, the Netherlands). Right now, there are only about three or four other teams in the world who can beat those three superpowers. I wouldn’t mind Italy in our group either, though we’ve already proven our point against them by never losing to them. I don’t want to risk hearing about Italy beating us, even though we still have 3 wins and a tie against them.
The LAST thing this team needs is to end up with an underrated weaker team (like Ireland) in our group and tying them, only for the other teams in the group to beat them and gain a point advantage on us. This is exactly what happened to us in Euro2004 against Switzerland. We were better than the Swiss, but they still managed to kill the game (by playing it Greek/Georgia style) and held Croatia to a 0-0 draw. England and France, on the other hand, gained the full three points on them. So, even though we managed to tie France, it was meaningless and didn’t provide us with any advantage over England (who actually LOST to France) and we had to go into that final game in a must-win situation. Had we beaten the Swiss (as we should have) or had it been a stronger team drawn in our group that could’ve stood a chance at causing England to lose some points, then our 2-2 France draw wouldn’t have been meaningless.
The benefit of drawing France from the fourth pot is that France will likely be more motivated against a team like England or Italy. Those rivalries run deeper than that of France vs Croatia, and it would be almost a guarantee that one of these Pot 2 teams would lose points to France (placing everyone in the running for a top-2 finish in the group).
I wouldn’t want England honestly. I think people got carried away with the two wins in Euro 2008 qualifying, but take those two results out of the picture and in the last 4 games they have beaten us all 4 times with a GD of 5:16
When England are motivated, they are an ugly team to play. They are not technically good, but they will run their asses off for 90 minutes
Tottenham to make £7m bid for Blackburn star Junior Hoilett as Niko Kranjcar heads for White Hart Lane exit
http://www.goal.com/en/news/596/exclusive/2011/11/30/2780958/tottenham-to-make-7m-bid-for-blackburn-star-junior-hoilett
Rooney is out for the entire group stage so I think our defense could last. England wouldn’t be a bad draw at all in Pot 2. Only team I don’t want in Pot 2 is Germany, other than that BRING IT ON!!
@ Dennis yea I’ll be sure if we do get this thing rolling We get a contract written out you see that fuckin name call son of a bithch Maimicu is doing to dudu thatt is pretty pathetic stuff but typical CROATIAN…….YEA I think if we play like how i know we can ‘SKUPA” we could make a good run…. at this euro thing we all know we COULD beat anyone so for a group lets see what happens and rollll with the punches….AJDE USTAJ SE ZA DOM “SPREMNI” =U=
@Ante,
You are not getting “my drift”. I agree with you that beating England but not eliminating them in group stage would not be that great, especially if England were to make the final.
However, it is possible to “knock” England out in the group stage. We would have to play them either second or third in the group.
@Denis
I’m saying there will not be any Turkey’s in the quarters this year…just watch. Tourney is stacked.
Re: England
We can beat them in group play and they can still go through. I’m saying how sweet it would be to knock them out, like in the quarters or semis. Just like we knocked them out of Euro 2008. It’s a different feeling ending their run.
Yes we beat Germany in 08 but they ended up making the finals. Catch my drift…
@Ante,
Knocking England out in Group stage would be sweeter for me than beating Turkey.
like I said, “we beat Germany and Spain, tie with the Czechs”
I’ve been reflecting on the draw…
I definitely want a piece of England, I just don’t know if getting them in the group stage would do anything for me….just imagine getting out of group stage and knocking them out in the quarters.
But first things first…I have a feeling we will get 2 tough teams (which I want), but I think it’ll be something like England and France in a Euro 2004 replay. Butina got screwed on that Trezeguet handball. What what else do you expect when you play the Swiss to a 0-0 draw…
This tournament will be stacked, end of story. There is no easy road to the finals, or even semis for that matter. Even if get out of a light group stage, a European giant will be awaiting us in the quarters….no Turkey this time.
As long as we play balls out, I’ll be happy…
@Everyone
Check out the “Croatian Sports Calendar”.
I just updated this with key dates in the Croatian Sports world. Please let me know if I missed a sport or event.
Also, we would like to use this calendar for Croatian events around the world. Example: Croatian concerts around the world… etc etc.
Thanks
For the first time ever, I really don’t have a preference on who we face.
Unless we get Poland, Ireland(Czech), Russia… Croatia will be projected to finish 3rd or 4th in their group. Enjoy the ride. On a good day, Croatia can beat anyone. However, in a 7 game series, Spain/Germany will beat is 5 times, draw one, and lose once.
Again, enjoy the ride. Qualifying is a huge accomplishment for us. If we draw Germany, Spain, Holland, Portugal, France, or Italy… we have a chance to make history. If we draw Czech, Poland, Russia… finish second, then lose 5-0 to Holland in the quarters, no one will care. So I say, lets get 2 big boys(Spain,Germany, Holland, Italy, France, England). No shame in losing to either of these countries.
however, I do like our unbeaten record against the Digici.
Call me crazy, but I want a piece of England. How it stands right now, Rooney is out anyways. Corluka, Modric, Eduardo, and Kranjcar should all be extra motivated to beat the Brits. Knocking out England in group stage would make my summer.
As far as playing to our level of competition, three factors come to mind:
1) pressure… NO pressure playing against Germany, vs. playing against Georgia
2) counterattack style…. suits us against the big boys like in Istanbul against Turkey.
3) When it comes to being the aggressor, jumping on teams like a Germany where they string together a dozen passes before Gomez taps in the goal from 5 yards out, is not in our nature. Only a few teams in the world are at that level.
@Toronto Croatia,
You make a very good point on Germany. Also, they will be hungry and motivated for Revenge after WC98 and Euro 2008. Germany might be the team to beat this year.
“Croatia DOES have the talent to compete with any of the top teams in the tournament.”
I agree and disagree. Spain, Holland and Germany are on a different level than the rest of Europe. Doesn’t mean we cant beat them once.
@Nizic
I like where your head is at buddy. You can be my agent and I will give you 20%(If you were Mamic I would give you 80%)
@JP
ohhhhhhhh yaaaaaaaa
@Allen
Glad you liked it. All the credit to Ante on this one and Brane on camera. Lebo wins an Oscar for best supporting actor. I was like Joe Pesci in Lethal Weapon 4.
@Shinobi
Wow! Your mock draft was almost identical. Lets see what happens.
Haha nice work on the mock draw!
I will say it now and mark my words …Germany will be the toughest team in this coming Euro cup.
To refresh your memories from World cup 2010, in the knockout stages…a fairly young Germany steamrolled through England 4-1…then steamrolled through Argentina 4-0…then lost to eventual winners Spain 1-0. (Spain who rightfully WERE the better team in that tournament)…
now fast forward to Euro 2012, the German team (still relatively the same players)….just a little older….and now more experienced.
BUT enough about Germany. Although our boys (Croatia) aren’t as consistent as we would all like….they can still BEAT ANY NATION in the world…on ANY given night. I don’t care how strong the oposition is.
Unfortunately…..It all always just depends on which Croatia decides to show up to play.
We shouldn’t be worried who we get in the draw for the simple reason that Croatia DOES have the talent to compete with any of the top teams in the tournament.
As long as they go out there and play with their hearts and show no fear.
Nizic you are awesome. I got my fair share of east coast guys. I’ve got my boy Rob “South African Sensation” Uvanovic, also got Ivica “hardest working man” Peros, and a new buddy I made friends with during Croatia win over Turkey. His name is JM who looks like Ryan Giggs. East Coast stable > West Coast Stable although I do wish Golden Child was on my side.
nice work setting the stage boys… it can’t get any worse than that… and so is this an Ante anti-jinx?
Such a beautiful video. 😀
Or maybe Ivan and svircina tag team weSt coast vs Allen outraged east coast sponsored by jagermeister hohoho
Royal Rumble maybe a ladder match sposered by Karlavacko…????
Hey Nizic, I should be in that cage match too. I’m the best promo cutter.
I think ziva svircina and Ivan Hrvatska should have a steel cage match ………..
Ziva Svircina = Representin the “Whigs” George Washington
Nice video
but would rather see the dutch rather than the spics
the mock draw, if it were true, we win that gruop hands down!!!!
dont want to see shit teams in our gruop. prefer to see italy, egland and france
I will have the biggest party if Croatia plays Ireland Euro. I’ll have to wear my Croirland (or Iratia) jersey, or whatever its called and shit will get good! Everyone can join. Bring your Guinness, Karlovacko, potatos, and bajadera. It will be great.
Iličević scores today in a friendly match with the Glasgow Rangers.
i believe the Croatia plays much better against tougher teams.I predict draw will go Croatia-Ireland-Italy-Netherlands gonna be tough but never know with football.
Thank you for a great laugh.
After this, it is easier to wait until Friday, but still, I have to go to pray krunicu so the draw doesn’t go your way. I hope that your draw scared the group of death away.
I want some of the tougher teams like France, England and Italy. But I sure has HELL don’t want Spain or Germany (and to a lesser extent, the Netherlands).
I think Croatia will step up against any of these teams, and has a decent chance to win against France, England, and Italy. I just think they have no chance against Germany and Spain.
My dream draw would be Ukraine, France and one of Italy or England.
It’s true that we do play better against tougher competition but:
Germany and Spain have just been steamrolling through European competition for the better part of 2 years. Spain has had an off game or two recently, but….if we draw them, I see Spain beating us 3-1, 4-1 while the Germany game would be a little closer, maybe 2-1, 3-2 for the Germans. If we can get a workable group, hopefully win it and go into the quarterfinals with a lot of confidence (sorta like 2008, minus the Turkey heartbreaker), THEN I’d be a lot more comfortable playing Netherlands, Spain or Germany.
If we have a draw like you guys predict and we have to play Germany or Spain for the first game of the competition, I’m afraid we’ll pull a ‘Dinamo’ (sorry Dinamo fans) and shit the bed in the 1st half of the game.
Granted, we’re all basing this on our squad and results we had recently. Keep in mind, this tournament is 7-8 months away. We could turn the corner in our friendlies between now and then and really hit our stride….or rack up injuries and play that garbage football we played through parts of the quals.
Too many moving parts at this point in time to really get a good assessment of what things might look like.
Whatever I touch is gold Ante B….Blessing in disguise!
GC, you could have possibly jinxed our team more than I jinxed the Bears. ::golf clap::
I want a group of death. Lower expectations or no expectations and the possibility of the top teams looking down at us and underestimating us.
Yeah DinamoDennis like you know what was is entertaining.
Anyway this video is my favorite video of all time. I never knew Denis could be so funny, he seems like the least likely to act like a clown. Awesome job guys, even though Rottenchild really picked a bad draw. That’s Goldenchild but until Friday he’s Rottenchild to me. If we get a bad draw, till June it will stand. Germany and Spain jesus, I’ll make sure to drink heavily for those games.
a hard group with top ranked teams might make the boys play with more venom.
@DinamoDennis,
You loved it. 🙂
@Jersey,
We skipped the ‘picking of the groups’ part after the team was picked because that would have taken too long. We could have also had singers and a 45-minute explanation of how the draw works, but we’re not here to waste anyone’s time.
first off you did the draw wrong, but thats not the point I guess….
I guess if we do get a group with both Spain and Germany its not even worth going. I want a ‘mixed’ group, with one ‘power’. For example, I wouldn”t mind: Netherlands, Italy, Czech Republic
Of course its easy to say you want Poland, Russia, Czech
Nerds
Funny shit, you guys should do this kinda stuff more often.
Ziva Svirčina, classic!
After this mock draw, dissatisfied with the potential opponents, i decided to replicate my very own mock draw, and you wouldnt believe the outcome.
Group A: poland, denmark, greece, russia
Group B: france, sweden, italy, holland
Group C: czech, croatia, germany, spain
Group D: ukraine, ireland, portugal, england
Strangely similar to croatiansports.com’s mock draw.
I am almost convinced that will be our group. The group of death? we will have to wait and see on friday if this is the case.
I could deal with one superpower (Germany, Spain, Holland)
but not two!
boze, boze – I’m getting nervous about the draw already..
Let’s hope that we do better on Friday. 🙂
Pfft… I ain’t never scurred. Got any beer left?