Filip Hrgović has pulled off a massive comeback to make Croatian boxing history.
The heavyweight defeated highly rated and previously undefeated British prospect Moses Itauma via ninth-round TKO at London’s O2 Arena, becoming Croatia’s first ever heavyweight world champion and capturing the vacant IBF heavyweight world title.
It was an incredible turnaround. Itauma’s speed and power gave problems, but the iron chin once again proved crucial. He absorbed some huge shots, stayed on his feet and continued to fight through the pressure.
The broadcast scorecards had him behind through the majority of the fight, but his experience began to show as the rounds went on. Rather than panic, he stayed composed, weathered Itauma’s attacks and continued to push forward as his younger opponent began to tire.
By the later rounds, the momentum had completely shifted. He began landing heavier and more frequently, overwhelming Itauma in the ninth round before his corner threw in the towel, completing one of the most remarkable comebacks in Croatian boxing history.
The biggest victory of his career and a historic moment for Croatian sports. A real-life Rocky moment.
Post-fight, he said he wants to fight in Croatia, and after a performance like this, he deserves the opportunity to defend his world title in front of a home crowd.
Make it happen!
He can.beat Dubois and probably Tyson Fury and Joshua who has a glass head so classic that fight he wasn’t connected flush glancing blows not solid even then when I’ve fought that many fights being hit dosent mean anything you get used to it.Where when a guy that big hits you in your body like Itauima started getting he would have needed a tampon it really fucking hurts I’d much rather be hit in the head than the body any day.
@Hrgovic
Please see Bob Bozic’s IG
He visits Chuvalo every month or two his dingy nursing home rotting away for the last 6 years and sadly posts the pics
Latest pics have him laying in bed and drooling onto a napkin
Find the highest $$$ purse fight and take that next
The research (as if it was even needed lol) is clear that traumatic brain injury from boxing, NHL no helmet area (for those that don’t suicide themselves) and football (with added detail of the players who head the ball the most (CBs) are worse off) and other contact sport that you have a significant increase risk in dementia (both in timing ie earlier onset and getting it at all)
Thursday 3pm
Bradaric
Wedding boy
Both have games
Erlic 67 minutes today
Guess his hammy MRI showed he was just being a baby asking to leave the field against Rijeka – terrible mentality
Wow wow wow
Biondic two assists today
Croatia #9 rank: Igor (his last goal was mesmerizing), Biondic, Franjo, Musa, Budimir, Sego (or Beljo)
Still got to discount MLS and HNL stats – just look at Franko – he wasn’t able to replicate and not even on the bench of his crap Hungarian team anymore
Pandur 5 saves vs 1 goal
Croatia #1 (or Neck Ink – let them fight it out)
Hajduk signed Belgian Leander Dendoncker to replace Sigur. Not bad.
@markus
in your hood this week for a couple of concerts
haven’t seen her in years and she’s as beautiful as ever
one of my favorite places on earth
Tonio Teklic
Beautiful 360 move/touch in the box to score
It’s 2nd division Turkey but it’s still something
@Mart
Anonymous convinced Esmir to join
Don’t get too excited as only a loan for the year
But was no easy feet – treat him well and make sure u win the league this year ok?
❤️
Anonymous
Hajduk brass confirmed that they have no idea what the media were talking about
Duje unused sub today
Good to see him pick a team where he’ll play
Hey Bilic – you doing any of this ? Please note the logical September 17th announcement (vs. your own September 7th) – so so sad
KLOPP IS DOING SOMETHING INTERESTING AT THE START OF HIS WORK IN GERMANY.
He’s not just going to Bundesliga matches; he’s stepping into the clubs’ training sessions.
The coach has already visited: Bayern, Augsburg, Stuttgart, and Mainz.
Klopp wants to build a relationship of trust and collaboration with the teams’ coaches, offering something he wished for when he was a club coach:
“I want to work with the coaches the way I work with the players.”
It’s a new era for the German national team. The first call-up comes on September 17.
Sad news for Hajduk fans with Ivan Gudelj passing away at age 66. He was a great midfield player for those of us old enough to have watched him play in the late 70’s and early 1980’s.
How did he get Hepatitis B at 26 ? Sex ? Needles ? Other ?
He lost his 2nd wife 11 years ago at 45
Didn’t know about the Mlacic Watford loan . . . Good catch, Anon.
More concerned about Mlacic than Kova.
I hoped/thought Mlacic would have a good opportunity to get solid minutes in Serie A for his club this year . . . Was I ever wrong.
I still think Kova might get enough playing time, they have so many games: EFL Cup, FA Cup, Premier League, Champions League . . . and in addition he will get Nations League with NT . . .
I have written on here many times before over the years, that going to Italy for Croatian TEENAGE talented players is the worst possible place. So many of our talented youth players have gone there and failed and literally disappeared off the radar.
In Italy it’s all about results and the clubs do not have the time for developing youth players especially foreigners. Yes, they will take the risk and invest some money in youth players, but you pretty much have to perform when given the opportunity to play. Mlacic was given some playing time but obviously did not impress the club, hence the loan which in most cases ends up as a permanent departure.
Not sure that going to Watford on loan is a good idea either?
Ya I can’t think of one that worked out.
At the same time, it could just be just the low ceiling talent that teams like Dinamo send to Italy at a young age.
I am hearing now about Lazio signing some kid (Zebić) from Dinamo for a couple million, but it could be a case of Dinamo not really seeing anything in this kid and are open to dumping him to Italy.
These scouts see more than we do. I’ve read in the comments sections of Sportske Novosti articles of people laughing at the Mlačić sale saying this kid is nothing. So who really knows.
Hopefully Sergej Levak works out, since Atalanta seem to be high on him and apparently turned down big money for him from Newcastle.
Levak still stuck with U23s (for now)
The issue is HNL doesn’t generate enough money (tv rights etc) so clubs need to sell players to balance the books and keep lights on
Mlacic was offered 1M for 5.5 years so 5.5M guaranteed – his annual salary is higher than some HNL teams like Slaven and Rudes – so can’t blaim the young kids either – this is a guarantee in life and no guarantees in life
If you fix revenue in HNL then teams can pay players more and they’ll stay longer (obvious solution is offer HNL games to ex-Croatia markets – if 500k diaspora signed up at 100 euros per year for subscription – that’s 50M additional revenue or extra 5M per team – cash flow issue solved overnight)
Watford is probably better than HNL for his development so it’s okay he goes there if he actually starts every week (they signed a 22 yo French CB yesterday too…) – Udinese played some 35 yo CB today so that guy eventually has to retire to open up space)
Udinese and Watford owned by same guy
lol I saw a clip with hrgovic pulling a za Dom with a few fans when walking out
Love it!!
How long till the jugos try to get his belt taken away cause he basically runs a concentration camp now;)
HA!
Pazi, Holiga slusa.
lol saw that too
our boy takes 5 high school chums to a big city and sends the boy back to his mother in kent on a stretcher to the hospital lol
our boy leaves the arena screaming zds
one of the best damn things ive ever seen
awesome 👍
Worried abt gvardiol and kovacic. Kovacic will have no chance to play now. Guehi will play in his preferred LCB given there are so many holding mid now. He is future man city captain too. Gvardiol has only LB TO aim for. They shdnt go man city. Or epl clubs. Injuries cost us our world cup
Gvardiol will be fine. He’s way more versatile than Guehi. And I like Guehi.
you think croatian players should not go to the best and the richest league in the world? do you want them to play for free?
Mlacic loan Watford
69 minutes off bench
But they signed another 22 y/o CB today too so who knows if he’ll get another chance to play
Nasty nasty stuff
Enzo Fernandez to Man City
Kova no minutes this year
Nasty
Kova always finds a way to play. Calm, cool and consistent. We hope to see the Kova that had that extra gear during the world cup i.e Portugal game.
Jakic told Ausberg he wants to leave
They left him out last game
Torino buyer didn’t want to pay 5M
No deal
Transfer window closed for both leagues
Is he bomb-squaded now?
Imagine paying an agent and he can’t even do his one job
#HCAFC ’s 18 New Signings! ✍🏻 ✅
Lucas Gourna-Douath 🇫🇷
Konstantinos Tzolakis 🇬🇷
Brooke Norton-Cuffy 🏴
Mohammed-Ali Cho 🇫🇷
Christos Mouzakitis 🇬🇷
Hidemasa Morita 🇯🇵
Lucas Herrington 🇦🇺
Jens Hjertø-Dahl 🇳🇴
Óscar Zambrano 🇪🇨
Tim Iroegbunam 🏴
Sorba Thomas 🏴
Nobel Mendy 🇸🇳
Jack Butland 🏴
Joe Gelhardt 🏴
Matt Targett 🏴
Elliot Stroud 🇸🇪
Robinio Vaz 🇫🇷
Ilyas Ansa 🇩🇪
Another 5-6 Hull signings today
Money can’t stop, won’t stop
Including 28 y/o winger for 12M euros called Sorba Thomas
Poor 25 y/o Marco only worth 5M
Bilic will boot his sorry ass off the NT that’s for sure – hopefully he has FUN in 2nd division Turkey – welcome back Pjaca
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-hull-transfer-sorba-thomas-11137995
Borna Sosa back to Koln
Makes more sense for him to play in Germany
He’s VERY lucky boy he just a chance to play with Mikey Moore – wow !
So Bilic announcing the squad Sep 7th (there will be a press conference)
Just so so dumb
No doubt there will be a standby list too
I mean how dumb are we as Croats that we have to do it completely different than every other NT – why ? why ? why ?
Just announce the f-ing squad on 18th, 20th or even 21st (if there are any injuries that weekend) and watch players play 2,3,4 more games in those days – it’s not hard
Get over it, dead horse. Geezus.
Duje joins Sassuolo last day of the window
Lazy Duje wanted the summer off and not trouble himself with any pre-season training/non-sense
Perfect shape for upcoming NL
not every player cares about the national team when picking a club. i read comments about a player making a poor choice and it does not help the national team. doesn not work like that.
Beggars can’t be choosers.
Duje is not some high demand CB.
Real Sociedad didn’t want to pay a relatively small (€3m) fee to keep him and his parent club (Lyon) just let him go to Sassuolo for free.
I’m sure if he had the options, he would pick a team that helps both his club and international career, but this was probably a case of his agent working overtime to find him a club that would be interested, rather than clubs lining up and calling him for his signature.
What’s funny is despite the lack of interest in his services, if DCC was healthy during the WC, Dalic also would have had him ahead of Vuskovic on the pecking order once Dalic pulled the plug on Luka after an hour.
And here he is being neglected by a couple of clubs that know him best on pretty cheap terms.
Duje is simply too slow and has too many ‘kiks’ moments. But he does make good long passes and is dominant in the air (which would have been useful against Portugal).
If he gets back into form, it wouldn’t be terrible if he were to play against Czech (who are a slower physical team)…but he’s a bit of ticking time bomb with his ‘kiks’ moments where he’ll score an own goal or cause a dumb foul.
The fact that he was Dalic’s first choice CB is bad.
But Bilic has himself a problem to figure out in the backline.
I hope the fact that we signed Bilic to FOUR years (instead of two) doesn’t bite us if he turns out to be a flop).
Davor – they can’t have their cake and eat it too
If Duje doesn’t want to be on the NT – no problem – but then don’t use the status of being a NT player to further ur club career – if he wasn’t a NT player he’d probably be at a 2nd division club now
Liva cares about wages at Barca rather than find a club where he is #1 and plays – no problem – then don’t expect a call up to the NT and definetely don’t expect to be #1
Etc
Big difference between Liva and DCC. Liva is a proven NT play…DCC is not.
It does not matter where Liva plays his club football……he is a big tournament player. One of the best in the world in big tournaments.
A few of you guys were talking about our lack of in-form CBs which is something that’s making me a bit concerned too in view of the tough NL fixtures ahead. I mean, I don’t think we can field CB pairing of Gvardi-Vusko for all 4 games right? Other than Galesic, is Dario Maresic worth considering as an option? He has not represented Austria at the senior level.
@A Tin U
Assuming his form doesn’t collapse in the next couple of weeks, I’m kinda expecting Majer to make the squad. He can definitely help the NT for such a tough stretch of games!
Gvardiol could play two games there for us.
My worry is that he’ll play none there and we have to make do against Spain or England with one of our out of form vets.
Also, we still have a month.
Sassuolo is pretty thin at CB, so Duje might end up starting there right away (and they have four games before the international break).
Pongracic and Erlic are playing, just not really playing full games…but that could also change in these next four weeks.
If one of these three get into form, they probably start against the Czech.
Unless Bilic wants to experiment against Spain and England, I’m sure one of these guys will play against them.
If everything fails, Bilic can always blame Vuskovic. 😉
Bart,
It looks like, accepting what Anon says, that the decision will in fact be made in 6 days, on September 7. I guess it will boil down to what Bilic thinks of Majer’s current form.
Majer has good international experience. He played well at WC 2022. I would agree with you, I think he will be named to the squad.
We have a superb core group of “younger” players (26 or under) to build around over the next four years: Vuskovic, Gvardiol, and Stanisic defenders, Sucic and Baturina in the midfield. That is five high quality core players who very few would argue with.
In a best case scenario, maybe 2-3 other players will emerge in the next year or two who will reach the level of those five, and join that core, creating an unquestioned core group of 7-8. Right now we have a few players who might have the ability to get there, Matanovic perhaps is one, Jagusic perhaps another, maybe Ivanovic or Luka Sucic, or possibly Stojkovic, have the ability if they can take that next step to a higher level, and maybe there is a player, just a little under the radar right now, who is a candidate to surprise us and get to that level.
And then behind and around that core, we will need players who can provide depth and support and leadership. Majer, still just 28, is this kind of player. I don’t see him as a core player we can or will necessarily build around over the next four or five years but he can certainly give us a very good option off the bench, and even start some games at midfield. When he is playing well and is in form, Majer brings a lot of quality to the field.
130M spent – but couldn’t go higher than 5M for Marco – LMAO
🚨🟠⚫️ EXCLUSIVE: Hull City agree deal to sign Tim Iroegbunam from Everton, here we go!
Agreement in place with #EFC at €15m fee plus €12m add-ons.
#hcafc owner Acun Ilıcalı keeps on investing young player with big potential, over 15 signings with more than €130m spent.
You are mis-associating Hull’s spending on others as some issue with Marco Pasalic.
Tzolakis (£20m), Herrington (£17m), Mendy (£22m) and Cho (£13) make up the overwhelming majority of Hull’s £100m transfer window spend.
These players are very young, have significant re-sale value, and are looking for exposure at the highest level.
This is more of a business decision between Hull and these young players than anything.
These costs are investments that are not sunk costs. These four are extremely young and may result in Hull remaining in the top flight.
But if they are relegated, Hull will easily be able to flip them to other teams for similar money. It’s a win-win.
Everyone else they signed is in that 3-6 million area (similar to Marco Pasalic’s value).
Orlando was pushing it and wanted a few million above that amount, so Hull walked away.
This is understandable, as Marco isn’t worth more than 5-6 million, and he’s already older so this hurts his re-sale value too.
Not sure why you would expect them to go higher for Marco and why you disparage Marco for what he is (a 26 year old solid role player at RW, but not a young potential star).
Don’t understand the logic – the higher the fee the more a club can lose – it’s not some guarentee they make a profit
Ajax bought Sutalo for 21M – now loan him for 3M and 7.5M option/obligation – that’s a 10M loss – which is more than Marco’s entire fee
There is a 25 y/o winger same age as Marco called Mudryk who has a 75M option attached to his name – but Marco can’t fetch a couple extra euros ?
The issue remains Index said Hull didn’t have any more money to spend on Marco and that’s completely wrong
But great news some 2nd vision club from Turkey made a bid for Marco so maybe he’ll end up there ?
😊
Corum 😂
pasalic is not a player who can play at that level.
Hrgovic showing once again you don’t always have to be the most talented to win
May he cash in with a couple of big money fights and call it a career. Enjoy his life back home
Showed incredible heart like often all our athletes do
Sports and war my friends is what we do
And most importantly praise Jesus
Baturina seems like he has a punchers chance at becoming our next legend He may not hit Luka level but if he can get close to Perisic impact level. We are set!!
What a difference a year makes.
People were making fun of Baturina and Dinamo for only selling him for 18m (plus bonuses) and for Como being the only team that showed significant interest.
10 months after that signing, we have Aston Villa offering £55m for him (and Como shutting it down and saying that they’ll only entertain offers above £85m).
This kid probably breaks the transfer record for a Croat (if Luka Vuskovic doesn’t beat him to it first).
@Crnkovic
Noticed next AFCON in June-July 2027
Do you know if they have any AirBNBs on Migingo Island ?
Not to be confused with Maminjo’s Island
😂
Anyone watch Osijek yesterday ?
SN gassing up 17 y/o Jona Jezic who scored a brace
Monday 12:30pm ET
Jagusic bench ;-(((((((((
Unused sub in 2-0 win
Next PAO Thursday 2pm ET in Cup vs 2nd tier Niki Volou (sounds like some porn-star name)
Anyways, fingers crossed Jaga gets a start
After that Sunday game in league for PAO
U guys were laughing when I mention no balls drain for Jaga – but it’s not a joke – he needs to be more aggressive and fight for his spot
@Anon
Where’s the excitement for Pulisic potentially going to Tottenham? Perfect fit for that club, lol.
Didn’t see it until you mentioned it they want a another winger but thing Ndiaye and Mudruk are the options after missing Gakpo
Mudryk and Tosin here we go
These are left-overs, but is what it is
Frank Sanchez side-step agreement PLUS IBF rules that Frank Sanchez comes next
Apparently if Hrgovic fights someone else (sanctioned/unification or non-sanctioned) he would give up the IBF belt
If Hrgovic is smart – his team now send out tenders to all possibilities and see what purses/fees come back – in particular if Jake Paul wants him Hrgovic would have to give up the IBF belt so could demand even more money
The belt comes second – take the bag Hrgovic
Your daughter deserves it – and very likely you will f-ed up later in life (dementia like Chuvalo) if you even make it that long (his father Pero didn’t last very long – weird how many Croats drop dead in 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s) and will need to pay for 24/7 care for possibly many years
Take the bag
Weirdly enough, Čuvalo seemed to be fine in his late years despite taking such a beating in his career. Dementia is pretty much normal when you’re almost 90 and somehow he’s still alive.
Muhammad Ali pretty much fell apart in his 40s.
Yeah, he was a pretty good rent collector in his post-fighting career i believe
Do you just make crap up? Chuvalo suffered from cognitive and dementia symptoms stating in his late 60’s, By the time he was 80 the courts ruled he no longer had menta Capacity.
Next time shut up instead always pretending you know it all.
What am I pretending to know?
I said that Čuvalo ‘seemed’ fine. I actually met the guy when he was 70 (back in 2008). He was working out and having full conversations with everyone.
He may have had symptoms starting at this time, but I didn’t notice it.
The point I was making was that he physically outlasted Muhammad Ali, which is true (despite him falling apart in his 80s).
best move for hrgovic is to take the best offer. he has not made serious money in his career. take the most money before he loses and goes back to fighting for small money
Nije u šoldima sve
🚨#EXCL Newcastle United have opened talks for Inter’s 22yo Croatian midfielder Petar Sučić!
With Joe Willock set to join Beşiktaş, NUFC prepare a formal bid.
Inter demand €65-70M as Man City, Man Utd, and BVB monitor!
@ekremkonur
@football360au
⏬
https://football360.com.au/premier-league-transfer-news-petar-sucic/
Wow.
When does the window close? And do we want him leaving Inter at this point? Is it too early?
I hope it doesn’t happen
Let him enjoy his football at Inter and continue developing
I’m not sure we need any of our players in the Premier League (including Vuskovic) – better off at top teams in Spain and Italy – less chance of injury
The last 2 Ballon D’Or winners who played in the Prem were Rodri (2024) and before than Ronaldo (2008) – most winners from Spain and Italy – that’s where most of the best players play (some exceptions like PSG and Bayern)
Yeah I am hoping Sucic, Baturina, Vuskovic and Gvardiol all end up at Real Madrid one day.
Thompson going to prison because of a canopy and warehouse on some land ?
Lovren back to Rudes ?
I mean at least go to a team that can benefit from your experience
I watched this fight from beginning to the end and although Moses was the faster and better all-around fighter, I really didn’t feel Moses really put Hrgovic into any tough situations other than the one time he stumbled. Overall, nobody gave Hrgovic credit for landing tons of heavy body shots which proved to be the difference in the end. Moses couldn’t lift his arms to defend himself anymore…Hrgovic has some bumps and brusies but looked like he still had more in the tank.
Great victory for a good Croatian guy!
is hrgovic any good? Getting your ass kicked for almost 9 rounds and having the other guy die isnt really a good strategy. He can take a punch. heavyweight division is boxing must be bad because none of these guys are known names.
Hey it’s the Croatian way.
George Čuvalo and Stipe Miočić had great careers and a big part of it was being able to eat punches while giving them at the same time.
It’s only fair. One for you, one for me.
It’s not our fault that the other guy has to go to the hospital every time.
Muhammed Ali had to go to the hospital after his fight with George (while George went out with his wife).
Dos Santos and all these other heavyweights who fought Miočić were all in hospitals after his fights with them, while Stipe would crack a Modelo and get up for his morning day job the next day.
Now you have Itauma being stretchered out of the ring with oxygen (looking like he’s at deaths door), while Hrgović (who took more hits) is perfectly fine.
Well said
In a real fight (without pillows attached to your fists) Muhammed Ali wouldn’t be able to last 5 minutes against George Čuvalo and Stipe Miočić probably accidentally kills a few with those heavy fists.
Yup
U ain’t lyin
LMAO – HNL is a breeding ground for failed Croats that can’t make it elsewhere – there goes Stojko and Kacav playing time cut by half – of course Kotarski too
Just a joke – these are all mental midgets – just as bad as running to MLS
None of these players can/want to FIGHT for anything i.e. the anthesis of Hrgovic
🚨🔵 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Luka Ivanušec is RETURNING to Dinamo Zagreb after three years!
The 27-year-old has agreed to terminate his Feyenoord contract and will undergo his medical in Zagreb today. If all goes well, he will sign a three-year deal with an option for another year.
[Germanijak]
Hrgović
Warrior
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
God Bless Filip for showing us all that we can witness for Christ and God the Father with every breath we take.
This is an example of how we are all called to follow insuring those in this Satanic system know there’s still hope and that the Gospel will be preached throughout the whole world before Jesus returns to usher the Millennial Kingdom.
I was in tears hearing our Croatian warrior humble himself at the throne of God.
Faster than Anonymous picking his nose.
Stronger then slowest train in Osijek,
Able to eat 2 tons of cevapi in a single bound,
Look it’s Klepetan,
It’s Rimic Automobili,
No, it’s SUPER SLAV.
—-!!!PLAYER FORM CHECK!!!—-
So far, we have about 16 players who look like they’re in good form (who could all be placed into our starting eleven over these four upcoming UNL games):
FW: Matanovic, Ivanovic, Musa
MF: Modric, P.Sucic, Baturina, Vlasic, L.Sucic, Majer, Segecic
DF: Perisic, Gvardiol, Vuskovic, Stanisic, Juranovic, Bradaric
Kovacic, Budimir, Jagusic, Pongracic, Erlic, Smolcic, Mario Pasalic, Biondic and Jakic are playing off the bench or limited minutes for their clubs (so far).
Musa and Marco Pasalic are still stuck in MLS (with Pasalic oddly not playing full games lately).
Duje, Sutalo, Kramaric, and Moro are not playing at all.
Some HNL guys are doing well this season too (Stojkovic, Beljo, Hrgovic) and you could probably add these three to the above list of players who are in good form.
Jagusic 324’ vs Majer 261’ 😉
The problem will be with defence, you cannot expect Gvardiol and Vuskovic to play all four matches in 14 days.
Erlic started against Rijeka but was subbed in the first half with a hamstring injury. Pongracic played 60 minutes or so for Fiorentina, but Sutalo and DCC have not played at all.
Looks like DCC is joining Sassuolo in Italy?
We do not have any CB’s in HNL that we could call up although Galesic from Dinamo might be an option if Bilic gets desperate.
@MART
Galešić is an interesting one.
He plays sparingly but does very well whenever he does play.
It’s a shame that Dinamo hasn’t yet sold Dominguez.
This is why I hate when we have too many foreigners in our club teams. Why are we developing this kid for Spain? Sell him as soon as you can for profit, tag him with a future sell-on clause, and start playing your own.
I don’t think Galešić will be anything special, but he could be a useful depth player who can still get better until one of our teenage prospects take a step forward (so we don’t have to keep relying on Duje or Pong just because they occasionally play at their bigger clubs).
Maminjo, a good survey of who is rounding into form, and how things look to be shaping up at this point for Nations League.
Thanks for doing this.
I know that Smolcic has not started and has come off the bench in Como’s first two Serie A games this season, all true . . . but they have a lot of games this year, maybe 8-10 Champions League games on top of the regular league games and Coppa Italia . . . so I would think Cesc is probably going to be rotating his players a little more . . .
While Smolcic only played a few minutes in Como’s first game of the season, he did play more than half an hour today . . . came on in the 58th minute, and he played aggressively, defended really well, he seemed in solid form against Napoli on the road in Napoli at Diego Maradona, which is a tough place to play, and he helped preserve the lead. He should be ready for Nations League.
I agree there could be room for 2-3 from the HNL, and that Beljo and Stojkovic would be leading candidates from Dinamo, and Hrgovic from Hajduk as a defender as well . . . I know there was talk of Misic, but I think it makes more sense for Bilic to go with a relatively youthful squad.
Pjaca is also another potential callup if he continues this sudden scoring streak
Šego too
Yes. Despite playing off the bench, I would say that Smolčić (along with Kova, Budimir and Jagušić) are all in good form.
Baturina best player on the field and awarded Player of the Match at the Como v Napoli game.
Also was player of the match on Sofascore, and on Fotmob.
Link to a brief article about the game, it talks about how Baturina played:
https://www.fotmob.com/news/8a06ujmmrnjx1ixvozh50mu54-napoli-1-2-como-baturina-stars-fabregas-earns-first-win-season
Biondic goal
https://x.com/croatiafooty/status/2094113417313325188?s=46
Will post thoughts on Luka V later
I watched the fight. Hrgovic’s strategy was to take a beating for seven rounds straight just to tire the guy out. He got the win, but he also got permanent brain damage in this fight.
Well now he finally has enough money to buy a house in Croatia.
Haha!
We laugh now…but watch the guy score some 50 million dollar fight with Jake Paul. 😉
Personally, I don’t see it.
Croats seem to have too much pride and always hurt themselves financially because of it.
Modric could have made an insane amount of money if he signed in Saudi a couple of years ago, and Stipe Miocic could have easily secured a boxing match with a massive purse when he was at the top.
Even Filip Hrgovic said that a Daniel Dubois rematch is next, and probably isn’t even considering a Jake Paul fight (despite it being the most financially beneficial thing for him).
Don’t feel bad for Stipe – he’s got his $3 a month Only Fans so gays and GILFs can jerk off to him
It depends on what he’s looking for, if he wants to build his legacy a unification fight with Dubois is the way to go and that would be the biggest “real boxing” money fight available for him.
If he only cares about money then sure he should take the joke fight with Jake Paul.
But if he really believed in his abilities he would fight Dubois first, win and improve his standing in the boxing world, then cash out again Jake.
You have to respect people like Modric who aren’t just sellouts and hopefully Filip is similar.
Good one. He can afford an apartment u gradu.
not with current prices on the coast
Nah. 4000 Euro per sqm won’t break the bank for him.
He’ll get himself a decent 1,000 sqft place for 265,000 USD.
2-1 Como 35 minutes in.
Baturina pressured the Napoli defender, creating the turnover that lead to the second Como goal.
Baturina playing well.
Baturina!!!!!
1-0 Como.
Covic has come on for Bremen in the 85th minute.
4-1 Freiburg v Bremen . . .
I thought Luka held his own today on the road at Stamford Bridge. Steady and solid overall, up against very dangerous attacking players, in the best league in the world.
He’s solid.
We’re a little too critical of him on here.
Then Dalić, Ćorluka and Olić come on this site and read this stuff about him ands bench him for it.
You’re assuming any of the three actually know how to read
@zds 😂
Critical?
One poster gives him blowjobs daily.
Igor goal and assist so far . . .
Dalic showing there are levels to this coaching thing
And apparently the messages boards are a few levels below
0-2
Maybe Luka should have blocked the cross
But Morgan Rogers is a physicality monster and Luka did very well to push and keep Rogers to the outside and push him towards the by-line
Brighton defender should have covered Pedro Neto run in the box which led to the goal
Can’t really blame Luka for it
12:06
Perfect perfect perfect Luka read and defensive break of play on the high line
Was VERY dangerous as if it gets past Luka its a break
Vuskovic has a long way to go, getting exposed
7:15
Luka unfazed by 1st goal
Swivels and elbows Gusto in the back knocking him to the ground to establish dominance before offensive corner
That a boy
0-1
Luka can’t let Pedro swivel around him in the box like that, get a hard on him and jump and the flick header like that (Chelsea must have watched tape of Luka to know he won’t follow Pedro and will just jump) – Luka jumped “blindly” trying and missed the header – bc Pedro had a yard on him – instead of following/closing down Pedro tight and jumping with him
Frustrating
Of course of keeper and other defender don’t bobble it between them it wouldn’t be a goal – but Luka could have one better
2:55
Luka Vuskovic burst of speed in his own box to close down Pedro
WTF
Brighton has made him able to accelerate like that and sprint over 8 yards
He’s already 3x as fast as before
OMFG
OMFG OMFG OMFG
9am ET Sunday
Luka Vuskovic STARTS at Stamford Bridge
MUST WATCH MUST WATCH MUST WATCH [@CRNKOVIC !!!!!]
He’s facing Chelsea’s elite elite elite front line
What a test
Anonymous has NEVER been nervous before a football match like this in their lives – so so so nervous – honestly not sure Anonymous can watch
Malick Yalcouye midfielder first start for Brighton in midfield (they bought him in 2024 but loans to Sturm Graz and Swansea City)
What a great post fight interview.
Hope this link works . . .
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QU06i-0zjvM&pp=0gcJCYsCo7VqN5tD&ra=m
Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and Filip! You can’t be that trinity.
Jack Paul called him out
Anthony Joshua got $90m and Tyson got $20m when they fought him
Can Hrgovic put the belt on the line if he fights Jake Paul ? Not sure how those rules work
If he can put belt on the line, pay-day for Hrgovic $50-100+M
Even if no belt, probably $20-50M
Either way big pay-day coming his way
ZDS
The Croatian Homer Simpson! 😂
So happy for the guy. Honestly after his loss to Dubois I’d thought his chances of winning a major belt were over. Glad he was able to take advantage of the opportunity.
Hopefully they give him the rematch with Dubois. That’s probably the biggest money fight for him rn and he can try and avenge his loss.
I like the Anon idea and the CroCan plan.
In that order, if at all possible.
I don’t know the rules either . . . but if possible, take a Jake Paul fight first, if it can be worked out, maybe some kind of unsanctioned fight, a pay-per-view extravaganza . . . a big payday and a win . . . and then the Dubois rematch should gross a lot of money. Those two fights would set Hrgovic up real nice financially . . .
Pretty much this
Novi svjetski boksački prvak. Let’s go Hrgović. Bringing the belt back to the grad and selo.
I am over the moon from watching this match. Incredible win for Hrgovic.
He let the pompous kid gas out and to see this win in front of English fans. No one gave Hrgovic a chance , the media mocked him and look what happened.
Congrats to Hrgovic. Amazing victory and strategy tonight.
A reminder that great heavy weight boxing matches are hard to beat. Amazing to watch. Hrgovic took it on the chin like real tough guy for many rounds, waited for his opponent to run out of steam, then smashed him in a round of pure wobbly last ditch desperate punches. Itauma was carried out on a stretcher. Man we are tough people. Great and fun boxing match.
He thanked Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for the win.