THE (VERY FEMININE) OFFICIAL EURO 2012 LOGO
The bitter reality of Croatia not reaching the 2010 World Cup has haunted Vatreni fans worldwide since qualification concluded- and it will only get worse from here on out. With the world’s largest sporting spectacle less than 130 days away, 32 teams prepare their travel arrangements for South Africa while Team Croatia gets first pick at where they want to vacation this summer.
The first step in this painful healing process begins this Sunday, February 7th at noon (CET) 6AM (ET) in Warsaw, Poland. The draw for Euro 2012 groups will be established and Croatia look to be in good shape as they grabbed a Pot 1 allocation ensuring them no battles with Europe’s elite- not even England. The only team I fear out of Pot 2 is Serbia. Not only is Serbia playing well at the moment, but it would be an obvious mental, emotional and media war if they were paired with Croatia.
So let the discussion between possible pairings begin! For those of you that have voted in our most recent poll, time to justify your pick.
NEW EURO 2012 LAYOUT:
There will be total of nine groups. Six of these groups will have six teams drawn into them (one each from pots 1 to 6 above); the remaining three groups will consist of five teams (one each from pots 1 to 5 above). At the conclusion of qualifying, the team at the top of each group will qualify automatically. The second-placed team with the most points from games versus the first-, third- fourth- and fifth-placed teams will qualify also. The remaining eight second-placed teams will contest two-legged playoffs for the right to join them.
@ Marko Polovina
I ask questions, I get answers. good good, I like that. Michigan in the house… nice.. Make sure to send us a video of how you catch Croatia in Michigan. Croatia-Belgium coming up in less than a month. Plenty of time to prepare.
What I said or meant to say was 2007-2008 as in 2007 or 2008(wasn't sure what year exactly this blog was up and running).
1)Where are you writing us from?
2)are you hajduk or Dinamo?
3)Where does the name "polovina" come from?
1) From Michigan!
2) Hajduk, but I'm not a devote supporter really (HNL quality is ugh)
3) The name comes from my father who is from Serbia, my mother is from Sisak, Croatia. Odd set of circumstances I suppose (but they left Yugoslavia in '86).
Last term, was 7 groups and top 2 finished. End of.
Now, it's
Group winner
1st best group runner up
other 8 teams go into a playoff.
Every season the format changes.
What is this new "format" everyone is talking about? everything seems the same compared to Euro2008 qualifying or am i wrong?
Someone said France is not someone to be feared. I would STRONGLY DISAGREE! You have to assume that Raymond Domenech will not be coaching Les Bleus at that start of the new cycle. Once they get a sane coach, one that will not be scared to pick players plying their trade in Italy, one that can integrate all the amazing talent they have at their disposal, they will be a world power again, easily!! Never discount a side that has Gorcuff, Ribery, Benzema, Anelka, Loris, Gallas and Evra
As for security if we played the Serbs. Lets not assume security has improved much in 10 years. All we have to do is look at the trouble in Italy the past 3 years. The Italians have far more resources at their disposal and still cant get it right. I have little faith that bumbling Croats and Serbs would do a better job.
Anyways, I don't fear the Serbs, but, I would much rather not play them or any team which would bring unnecessary story lines dragged throughout the entire qualifying period. Let the boys just concentrate on Football. Our guys played so well and looked so relaxed in the qualifying period for Euro 2008. Then comes the last qualifying period and we have the England v Croatia rivalry dragged back and forth. Last thing I want are stupid story lines endlessly brought up by the press. They would have a field day with a Balkan rivalry. Both media outlets, Croatian and Serbian would never let the past rest.
Lets just hope for neutral countries where all we have to worry about is the game at hand.
Kind of belated, but Cico Kranjcar was hired as the new Montenegro coach
@ Ivica Peroš
`but for the moment the greatest grudge match in European soccer is Holland vs. Germany`
Honestly , i have lived in holland for 15 years , but hardly anybody even talks about this `grudge` its practicly non-existant , and it cant even be compared to a Croatia – Serbia match
Drawing Serbia would be awesome.
@ someguy
EURO 2008 was a very competitive tournament. I also prefer that format as opposed to the new one. I think the new format was created so certain British teams who are always on the cusp of qualifying (Ireland, Scotland, etc…) DO in fact qualify this time around for a major tournament.
@ Denis
I assume UEFA approved the Azerbaijan/Armenia and Russia/Georgia agreements to not play each other because all the countries/territories within have actually HAD recent military actions taken. Personally, I don't like this decision. The draw should not be interfered with by any means. Play behind closed doors if you have to.
Croatia/Slovenia has a lot tension building, but no action will be taken by UEFA to have them avoid each other in qualifying until we see some actual military action…which I highly, highly doubt will happen anytime in the near future.
For any of you further interested in soccer with regards to politics and history, you have to check out Soccer Against the Enemy, by Simon Kuper.
Chapter 2 begins with:
Things may change when Serbia first plays Croatia, but for the moment the greatest grudge match in European soccer is Holland vs. Germany.
Marko,
Our first post was in 2008. We didnt exist in 2007. We had a few "Marko's" but dont remember a "polovina" even though I like that name.
I apologize if we have crossed paths before. 3 questions for you.
1)Where are you writing us from?
2)are you hajduk or Dinamo?
3)Where does the name "polovina" come from?
That blows but you're right. Still, it would be an unreal experience to go.
…uhh I've commented on this blog since like 2007-2008 haha
Welcome Marko Polovina!
@Zach G
I dont know of a player playing against his dad in international play.
@everyone else….
Draw is 36 hours away….
Trust me, it won't happen. There will be no organized trip. I know the guys within the savez and there is no way they will have organized trip to BG. They will agree with the serb federation not to have any organized fans for road trips.
Look what happend when the grobari came to ZG for the handball match between Partizan-Zagren a few years ago….trouble.
Delija showing up in Zapresic is no big deal because nobody cares about Inter.
Ma while that might be true, it's bullshit. I can understand why it would've been that way ten years ago because the wounds of war were extremely fresh but look at what's already happened. Grobari came to Zagreb, Delije went to Zapresic and the BBB went to Beograd. Plus, some Croatian fans went to the game in Beograd in 1999. Remember the Dinamo-Croatian VUKOVAR flag? Plus I would think security is better now than 10 years ago.
If Cro and Serbia were drawn against each other I am willing to bet that both federations (like last time) will not allow organized trips by opposing fans. That would eliminate any trouble in ZG or BG matchday.
Oh and I didn't think I needed to state the cultural issues against any of the Yugoslav countries as they've been overstated by now anyway. And as someone mentioned earlier, the possible punishments, pts reduction, bans, etc. would be so risky. I wonder if FIFA will force certain rules on a Serbia/Bosnia/Croatia/Slovenia/Albania matches (security, fans allowed in the stadium, something similar to what happened to Dinamo)?
Not only would Serbia be a miserable 2nd pot selection for Croatia's group, they themselves are playing almost on par with "elite" teams. They are stout on defense and their offense is feisty enough to cause problems. You can argue against their performances against France, but they played extremely well for a country that really wasn't considered to qualify.
I'm looking at the other pots and the possibility of Bosnia in our group is interesting as well. Their offensive capabilities are scary, but I'm sure if we were paired with them we'd be able to hold the midfield easily. Turkey is another pot 2 team I'd be worried about, after that Euro 2010 loss, I'm not sure how'd they react against the same team they lost against.
I voted for Serbia btw.
How akward for the Kranjcars if we are drawn with Montenegro!! Anyone know of a player playing against his dad's team?
I am with Ziva istina,
"If I am any of the teams in pot 2 or 3, you can bet I would be hoping to get Croatia in their group."
Although France and Russia are at our level as well. France isnt a team to fear, and Russia had an easy group, was schooled by Germany both times, and failed against Slovenia in the playoff. Without Hiddink, they would be the worst seed.
@Ante BBB,
Yes, that group does sound like a lot of fun, just hope it doesnt happen
@Dinamofan
I dont think Croatia is afraid of any teams outside of pot 1. And yes, a San Marino can say that they aren't afraid of Spain, but I can guarantee they dont want to face them.
So the question isnt, "Who is Croatia afraid of" it is "who they dont want to face" whether this be political reasons… a bad history against this team… bad results… rivals… etc etc.
Why did UEFA approve this?
"UEFA has confirmed that, for political reasons, Armenia will not be drawn against Azerbaijan (due to the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh) and Georgia will not be drawn against Russia (due to the disputed territory of South Ossetia) in the qualifiers for Euro 2012"
Croatia and Slovenia have a land dispute going as well. These are the reasons you dont want to face off on the pitch. Then football is used for politics.
If I am any of the teams in pot 2 or 3, you can bet I would be hoping to get Croatia in their group.
Turrets must be a bitch.
@ Ante BBB,
BWAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Of course I have to be different than everybody. Just one more thing to add. I would like this group:
Croatia
Serbia
Bosnia and HerZegovina 😉
Slovenia
Montenegro
..and finally powerhouse San Marino
Bragging rights for the rest of eternity.
Zovi samo zovi…
i think if Croatia is scared of anyone then we might as well chuck it right now. I don't care who we get. We are lucky to be in pot one which keeps us away from all the sides who we really do need to avoid, but whats left in the other pot. Forget it … i don't care who comes out. We can take em..
Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ireland, Romania, Greece, Sweden, Norway are not the force they once were. I really don't mind comes up. There is a lot of distinctly average sides as far as i can see.
Give me Serbia, I want to go to Beograd as formerly mentioned. For selfish reasons, obviously.
@Ante
Dont sleep on Slovenia. Croatians hate them more than Serbia as of right now. It would be a difficult tie for both countries. I would much rather have Belgium in my group than Slovenia. Our northern 'buddies' are in the world cup and are in pot 4! There is no one in pot 3 that qualified for the world cup.
As I look at the pots, I ask myself, who would I like to avoid most? The answer to every single pot is a former Yugo country. Even though Montenegro and Slovenia dont pose a serious threat, I would rather face any other country in the same pot.
As far as pot 2, Srbia is a no brainer, just like 51 and half of you have voted in the poll. I am with Ziva on this one. I was in Sibenik Croatia, unfortunately for a funeral during the last Croatia-Serbia game, a Euro 2000 final qualifier in Zagreb. If it wasn't for the funeral, I would have made the trip to Zagreb. There is so much more at stake then football, as shown during that match.
Here is my list of unwanted opposition:
1) Srbia
2) Bosna
3) Denmark
4) Slovenia
5) Montenegro
Besides the Denmark match(chosen because of strength of opponent), all the rest are former Yugo countries. Don't get me confused, I dont fear these countries. I just think the task of beating these countries is that much difficult because there is more on the table then just football.
So it looks like everyone is on the same page regarding Serbia.
Ideally, the best group for Croatia would be Czech/Romania and Northern Ireland/Norway. There's a huge wild card in Pot 4: Belgium. They are usually with the best of them in pot 3. Whoever they get grouped with will be the Group of Death in Euro qualifying.
They always compete and have a good chance of taking points from group leaders. It's good that we scheduled a friendly for them as they will be a team on the rise. Czech and Romanian stock are falling.
Remember that there is a possibility of a former Yugoslav group with Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Slovenia/Macedonia and Montenegro. What a shitstorm that would be!
Avoiding Serbia, would be the best for both countries. Fan violence, and heavy fines/punishments (possible points, or expulsion) could result.
An ideal group would be:
Croatia
Czech/Romania
Scotland
Wales
I am on the opposite end. As someone who attended the games back in 1999, it would be the same fucked up atmosphere and that is the reason i would want to avoid Serbia.
Security would be all over the place again, and another pain in the ass to attend the game in Beograd….I don't want to go through that again. If you can't cheer on your team without fear of violence, those matches are not worth being played.
I would love to draw serbia. The games would be exciting, and the atmospheres in belgrade and Zagreb would be unbelievable. Also it would be great payback for what happened in the 1999 euro qualifier
I really don't understand why they had to change the qualifying layout, I thought they got it right for 2008.