Sportske Novosti selected their Top 10 goals from Croatians in the year 2014 this past weekend. And there were some beauties.
The Nikica Jelavić bicycle kick versus Newcastle United. Mateo Kovačić’s volley-rocket against Lazio just this past weekend vs. Lazio. The Alen Halilović 50-yard run for Barcelona B.
But technically speaking, you have to give the crown to Ivica Olić for his turnaround left-footed shot from outside the box for Wolfsburg versus former club Bayern Munich.
Olić strike vs. Bayern
But no matter how pretty some of these goals were, there will be one goal in 2014 that every Croatian in the world will remember. And it wasn’t even scored by a member of the Vatreni.
Marcelo’s own goal for Croatia to open the World Cup had every Croatian in the world asking themselves, “Is it possible? Is this really happening? Can Croatia really beat Brazil in their own backyard to open the World Cup?”
And although no one said it out loud, we all thought it to ourselves.
And although it wasn’t Croatia’s best goal of the year, it was definitely Croatia’s best moment.
We all remember exactly where we were when this went in
So I ask you CroatianSports.com nation. What was your favorite Croatian goal of the year?
@ Soul Champ
The good thing about Perica is that he is tall AND technical. Right now we only have two serviceable strikers (Kramaric and Mandzukic). And we need more to develop, hopefully Perica is “ripe” by the time euro 2016 rolls around.
And maybe Rebic gets back on the right track. I would like to see more striking talent produced. We seem to have developing attacking midfielders down pat.
@Poglavnik
I second that. There were 6 of us among a sea of yellow watching outside the Fifty/50 on Division St in Chicago. I ran out into the street and high-fived everyone walking by. That’s what made that loss so much more painful though.
Marcelo’s own goal has to be #1.
For 15 minutes I was on cloud fuckin nine!
I’m pretty sure no other goal made us feel THAT good all year.
@ Faux Cro
Great point!
That match was treachery at its worst.
That Germany game was justice served.
@ Cro v Antwerp
Perica is a beast with good skill.
Eredivisie is making his movements quicker and streamlined.
Definitely see him in the squad for France.
I would say the first goal against Cameroon. 5 players playing one touch and it’s in the back of the net!
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186453/
This highlight doesn’t show Modric’s pass where he splashes it out wide to Srna to start the move though..
Memorable moment was Dinamo coming from 0:2 to beat hajduk in split.
Whadda ’bout Stipe Perica’s goal against Ajax? The kid showed plenty’a fancy footwork, and just bamboozled a slew of defenders.
Memorable moments for me:
-Futsal Dinamo’s first game
-Dinamo coming from 0:2 to beat Hajduk 3:2 in Split
Tough to make that goal of the year against an opponent that gave up.
I would give it to Rakitic for his recent header he scored for Barca. We all know the issues he has wih his head and it was nice seeing him score with his head.
goal of the year for croatia was perisic to make it 2-0 vs cameroon
– showed skill : the guy heads it to himself to start his run
– shows athetlcism: burns the cmaeroon defenders in a foot race
– awareness/reaction: goes near post when he catches the goalie cheating
– has importance: puts the game away for croatia and opens the floodgates
ZIVA ISTINA JE PRIJEVARA
SRAM TVOJA MAJKA
ZELJA VAM JE NAJGORE OVAJ PRAZNIK
How about the disallowed goal against Brazil?
everyone is connected by invisible power !!
ugh the world cup… now i need a shot of rakija