Damir Krajač/Cropix:DINAMO TRAINING IN FINLAND ON TUESDAY
Written by Ante Baričević
The stage is set for the first leg match of the third round Champions League qualifier featuring GNK Dinamo Zagreb against Finnish champions HJK Helsinki Wednesday night. After defeating Neftchi on a 3:0 aggregate, Dinamo will march with the Croatian flag into Finland in front of a raucous 10,000 supporters.
Heavily favored, Dinamo goes into the game coming off of a domestic league 2:0 victory against Inter Zaprešić in a routine performance which featured several key players watching from the stands. Ante Rukavina, who apparently decided to show up since his game against Villareal, and the young Mateo Kovačić scored both goals for the Plavi. Even after one game, it appears Dinamo is on its way to a sixth straight championship.
“We respect Helsinki and their results thus far in the European season, especially at home. It’s hard to find a game in which they just defended. However, despite the respect, we believe in ourselves and our quality.”
-Dinamo manager Kruno Jurčić
It is Dinamo’s defense that sets them apart the most from HJK Helsinki and last year’s unsuccessful European campaign. Newly signed defender, Domagoj Vida, has proven to be the bread and butter in Dinamo’s backline that also features Portuguese international Tonel and Šime Vrsaljko. Another pleasant surprise has been Dinamo’s captain Milan Badelj. Badelj, who desperately wanted out of Dinamo this summer, has revived his role, found his heart, and has taken ownership of the captain’s arm-band by playing aggressive and smart on the pitch. Dinamo’s ‘last night’ erection, Ivan Krstanović, failed to score in the second leg game against Neftchi in Azerbaijan after an astonishing two goal debut- he did not play against Inter. Could it be that Krstanović was just lucky in the first game? Time will tell, but in order for Dinamo to succeed against Helsinki, the entire squad has to step up. Luckily, the defense has, in tremendous fashion. As long as Krstanović, Beqiraj and Badelj show up to play, Dinamo should be the victor in front of a jam-packed Finnish crowd.
PARTIZAN HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH HELSINKI LAST YEAR
In other Dinamo related news, the Bad Blue Boys are still boycotting all Dinamo games and will not make the trip to Finland. It was recently reported in the Croatian media that Zdravko Mamić and Damir Vrbanović extended an olive branch to the Bad Blue Boys and offered them a sit-down meeting to finally reconcile all differences. That proverbial olive branch turned out to be a bribe consisting of free tickets, merchandise and seats.
“Dinamo’s executive board has still not learned that our pride and love is not for sale and cannot be bought,” said one BBB.
Judging by the last European game in Zagreb against Neftchi, even with 30,000 fans in attendance, the “huk sa sjevera” is definitely missing.
I NAPRIJED PLAVI!
I’m still learning from you, as I’m making my way to the top as well. I definitely liked reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the posts coming. I liked it!
Just a friendly reminder….
54 people have joined us so far in EPL fantasy league. Last year we had 130. For those of you that havent joined yet, click on the EPL logo on the top right corner. Its Freeeeeeee
@Das Reich,
I agree with you that "I'd say the best time to be a sports fan is apprx btwn age 11-17". Those were my favorite sports years.
@Denis, I need to correct my prior post. First, I'm not psycho analysing you – what I meant to say is that I think the reason I enjoyed betting on sports so much is because it allowed me to enjoy watching games almost as much as when I was a kid; and I think other people are similar. I'd say the best time to be a sports fan is apprx btwn age 11-17.
0-0 for RNK Split. Great score to bad they didn't get a goal they dominated Fulham! Maybe my expectations were very low but they did out play them and were deserving of a better score line.
2-2 at for Varazdin and great scoreline! 2 away goals when the game looked to be over and DInamo B had a chance to go up missed a penalty.
1-0 for Stoke and to be honest it wouldnt be a dreadful score to take back to Split but they have to make sure they keep it tight for the rest of the game. They can come back from 1-0 but they should look to get an away goal but it will be more important not to concede another one.
2-2 Varazdin get a goal back on Dinamo B. I thought it would be over when it was 2-0 but now getting an away goal is huge and if the game ended this way it wouldn't be to bad.
I do give Split and Varazdin like 2% chance on passing.
1-0 hajduk already down…in the 3rd minute? they sure know how to disappoint quickly.
I am just shocked how well they are playing. They are not sitting back and scared at all! They are playing attack! attack! attack! and not looking bad at all.
RNK Split is putting in a job vs Fulham. Playing very well and actually look better of the two sides and its really surprising. I respect Fulham and think they are much better than Stoke. I don't see RNK Split pulling any miracles of but you never know.
In regards to Sammir its all about money. He may have love for hrvatska and he may really want to play for us I am not really for foreigners but if he plays I will support him if he gives it his all. Bigger and better countries have had bigger and better foreigners naturalize to play for them. I don't think its right but I am saying countries have been doing it far longer than we have and they are already countries who have many bigger advantages already. As i said if he wears the jersey he will get my support and if not than I don't really care. Whether its Prso, Srna, Eduardo, or Boban! If they are full or half as long as they give it there all and have full respect i will respect them.
@Denis Svirčić
Hang on to your thoughts, we will discuss this after the European games. Cant wait for CroatianSports to launch so we dont have this problem anymore.
Sorry man, it must be my ADHD kicking in. 🙂
I just don't want France! That is all.
Ano: "Probably the best example would be Greece at Euro 2004 having possibly the worst players (Croatia's arguably worse) and they actually won the cup much to the worlds disgrace."
————————
So Greece had better individual players in 04' than Croatia has now?
That's hard to believe, is this true CSR junkies?
@Denis, I've been there, time to lay off and replenish.
My theory on sports betters who don't gamble in other venues is that they're trying to recapture their childhood, i.e. they want to roote for a team (even if it's just one game) with the same passion they did as a kid. Unless you're rooting out of natural loyalty (like the Cro NT), who really gives a shit unless you got money riding?
Biscan, Rukavina, Sokota, Haha quality players that's for sure.
Mamic
Will be funny to watch them fall once Mamic comes undone.
Have a cry buddy : )
GNK = Gypsy Nogomet Klub
@anonymous,
Yes, the world cup draw is around the corner. However, we cant post this until Thursday night or Friday morning because of Dinamo, Hajduk, Split, Varazdin European games.
Hang on to your thoughts, we will discuss this after the European games. Cant wait for CroatianSports to launch so we dont have this problem anymore.
It would be nice to draw our friendly neighbors to the north. They been talking a lot of shit lately.
I take that as a compliment.
Now tell me, Princess, how did Dinamo win the championship 5 years in a row? Let me guess…Mamic? Typical. Last time I checked more than one person is on the field.
Dinamo has won them because of the quality of its players and play on the pitch. Prove me wrong and I'll shut up about it but the last 5 years (eventhough Ivankovic's first season is more than enough) prove my point.
Remember-I might be a prick and a douche but that doesn't mean I'm not right when it comes to Croatian soccer and my beloved Dinamo
You still haven't convinced me otherwise. Failing.
@Ante B
You didn't "Burn" DD, if anything he brought up a valid point, you can't say his theory doesn't count because he is referring to different leagues, you took the easy way out. It's pretty fair to say the Argentine league is a 2 horse race as Boca & River have the best players much like the HNL… yet River got relegated!!!! Back in your hole Ante. If football is predictable then go pit your savings on a game.
Also Ante, even though your keyboard warrior ways may impress your "friends" on warcraft, you just sound like a douche to us normal folk
The UEFA draw for World Cup 2014 is on Saturday. What team do we want to avoid?
I will have to say France. On paper they are outstanding. If they ever put it together they will be very hard to beat. Personally I thought they should have been in Pot 1. Norway and Greece in Pot 1?!?!?!?
Unfortunately I have the same bad feeling right now about the draw on Saturday as I did for the WC 2010 draw when we drew England again after beating them twice in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
All this being said, I am not afraid of the French team. We can compete with anyone, however, let us not forget how they qualified for the last World Cup with the Thierry Henry hand ball. That is a straight red card, without any hesitation! When we play them we also will play them politically as well.
I am hoping my rant will be all for not!:-)
@Dinko Dog,
you bring up a good point. Football is really not that simple. Dinamo is favored of course, but that doesn't guarantee them silverware. If it did, then whats the point of playing.
Dinamo have a good collection of players with a lousy manager. Hajduk made quite a few upgrades in the off season and will challenge Dinamo for the title because of Balakov. For the first time in a long time, I see quality in a Hajduk manager.
@Das Reich,
I lost a lot on the Lakers this past season and decided to hang up my gambling shirt for good. Two years ago, my new years resolution was to stop gambling. I did well, cold turkey for an entire year. Overall, I am down more than up in my 15 year history of gambling. Haven't been to Vegas since 2002.
I like your strategy of "long-shot-futures". Before the Brazil-Paraguay match, Paraguay was 16-1 to win copa America. Put a few $$$ on Paraguay. Came up a little short.
Now, take yourself out of La-la-land for a second and apply it to Croatian league soccer. When it comes to the Croatian league, you're bringing up Man U, Argentina, BVB, Euro 2004, etc. which further proves to me the imbecile tendencies exhibited in the comments above. But hey, you're entitled to your opinion and sadly you have a keyboard. Damn technology.
There's a reason Dinamo has been champion for 5 years going and it's because they have the best players and best quality of play on the pitch in CROATIA. That's not saying much though
Burn. Also, using my own lines back, fodder.
Probably the best example would be Greece at Euro 2004 having possibly the worst players (Croatia's arguably worse) and they actually won the cup much to the worlds disgrace.
It's feedback Ante, but you'll probably take it as criticism. As crazy as it may sound…. You are wrong.
-DD
@Ante B
Your knowledge is overwhelming, is football really that simple?
– Man Utd definitely didnt have the best players last season, but they won?
– How did Uruguay run the Copa America? Your theory suggests Argentina were a sure thing.
– Nobody would've said that BVB had the best team at the start of the Bundesliga
I could go on…
Football isn't that predictable, but you are!
It's called reality, have a dose of it
-Dinko Dog
Letting Samir play for the NT is an act of high treason.
@Denis, how's the sports betting going? In your entire sports gambling career, are you down, even or up? Why you would bet the Lakers as favorites over the Mavericks is beyond my comprehension; only take the teams you like when they are underdogs and you think they're going to win outright, or maybe if they're slight favorites. Also, if you're down big, the only way to win your money back thru the same venue is hitting a long-shot-futures-bet – and you can hedge it if you get close.
anybody have a link to the Hajduk/Stoke City game tomorrow?
Also, you guys didn't like one sentence so I'll back it up. Dinamo has better players than any other team in the HNL and will win the title; it's called reality, have a dose of it.
I have never hid the fact that I am blatantly for Dinamo and the BBB. Like Ziva said before, if you don't like it, go to Sportnet or SN for actual news coverage. This is a site run by its members; we are doing this for the love of our teams, not money. If this was a real news site, I'd expect a raise. If you don't choose to take action and write your own report, then suffer with the consequences by reading mine. Hopefully my articles are middle fingers to you who don't like me because in a way, that's what they're intended to be.
Svaka cast Dinamu! 2:1 is a great result. The return leg is next week in Zagreb!
NAPRIJED PLAVI!
@Andrej,
Keleva is still young. never say never. I would still take Blazevic over him for #3.
@Dinamo_ZG and Anonymous,
I get where you are coming from.
Besides:
"Even after one game, it appears Dinamo is on its way to a sixth straight championship."
which I found amusing that Ante would jinx Dinamo ala Ante Kvartuc,
and a little bias towards the BBB,
I see nothing wrong with the preview. The quote from the anonymous BBB member is solid.
Ante Kvartuc and I take the blame for letting that one sentence slip by as we were the ones that approved the article and posted. We will take your suggestion into consideration from now on. Thanks for voicing your opinions.
Wow that's a cool matchup right there, but that's a clear penalty. Lovern has to watch it those.
Lovren concedes penalty on typical Srna flop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWRZzNIgjgE&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Fantastic result in Helsinki although the performance was a little off. Dinamo did better in the second half but defensively there were some gaps which a better team would expose. At least under Vaha the defense was sharp, under Jurcic its the typical swiss cheese HNL defense in Europe. Kelava made a bad mistake on the goal but he did make 2-3 good saves, especially from the corner kick early in the second half
I am sick of Alispahic already, just because he was a "superstar" at Sibenik doesn't mean he can cut it at Dinamo. Kovacic looks so much better but I understand Dinamo not rushing him
2-1 would be an amazing scoreline to come back to zagreb with. Dinamo didn't play bad but like I said they did fall asleep way to often and if they do it again they will pay for it. They dominated most of the game but made silly mistakes.
Krstanovic is awful
Sammir and Rukavina team up for a great combo and Sammir sends the ball to the back of the net from 10m out!
Dinamo 2 Helsinki 1
Ziva,
I can't understand how anyone in there right mind can think Keleva is ready for NT. He is awful compared to Runje or Plenti(with a year layoff). You just cant compare the kid(yet). He is 23 but I have to say he is a bit disappointing. He is a good HNL keeper but like you said he can maybe move around Europe play mid-table and be fine. He isn't near NT at current level though.
Ibanez has always been a hit or a miss. He really isn't good enough LB outside of HNL and his attack is very 1-dimensional(push the ball and run after it). That being said he has been awful but Dinamo 2nd half have looked much better. Biggest problem is the strikers…
Ibanez is awful
@ Andrej…..agreed on Keleva. Good GK for HNL and he can probably have a nice career bouncing around mid-level clubs in Europe. But, he is not a national team caliber keeper. We saw that in the last match as well. He gave up some rebounds in front of goal (opponent did not score) and he is horrible with his feat. That said, he is still a top 3 GK in Cro.
@Dinamo_ZB…..not sure what your expectations are. I don't think anyone treats this is a hard news website. If I want news on Cro soccer I hit all the Cro websites and other portals in Cro.
User-submitted content in the comments is what drives this website. There is a bunch of items in the comments section that are laughable, but that will happen. You get the good with the bad
http://atdhe.ws/live.php?v=event_id%3D56225%26tid%3D195143%26channel%3D0%26layout%3Dpopup%26Itemid%3D207.html
http://www.stopstream.tv/ch2.html
who has a site that i can catch some of the Dinamo zagreb game during my lunch break
please let me know
Well then do it yourself, crisis averted. Until then, that's all we got.
I come to this website ever now and then and I have to echo what was written by the earlier post critizing the writer of this post.
If this website wants to be taken seriously, then you cant have open cheering in the articles. Have some balance. I don;t want a cheerleader reporting/writing articles. I prefer having someone with a level of fairness.
What was Kelava thinking??? Otherwise, it was a decent half
Krstanovic bas nista
Dinamo isn't playing bad its just they have mental breakdowns here and there for a minute and its costs them big. They shouldn't lose this but they will never fail to surprise and make idiotic mistakes as they have already…
Kelava in the NT? pshhh never…
1:1
Both goals from HJK Helsinki in the 19th minute (autogol).
sattelite issues!!! WTF????
Anon,
I highly doubt you're a Dinamo fan based on that sentence alone. No, that doesn't matter.
If any of you other Dinamo guys want to sack up and write something, then go ahead and put your money where your keyboard is (ha!).
Until then, enjoy reading my controversial articles with an apparent overwhelming bias toward Dinamo.
Spremni…i naprijed PLAVI!
Ante B., CSR's Dinamo writer
I wouldn't call the Helsinki fans raucous in any way. They did sell out the stadium but it will be something of an "English atmosphere." There might be singing but there will be moments where they are quiet.
I still think Dinamo are the favorites in this match, but judging by yesterday's CL results, most of the seeds had tough times, no more easy games
"Even after one game, it appears Dinamo is on its way to a sixth straight championship." There is so much wrong with that statement, I don't even know where to start and I'm a Dinamo fan. Embarrassing
Well they say "Vegas knows." So here are the numbers. From Vegas it looks like:
1)Dinamo will go through
2) Varteks/Split have no chance in hell
3) Hajduk have slim chance
Dinamo Zagreb is +135 for a win, +235 for draw
HJK are +180 for win
Fulham is -227 for win, +290 for draw
NK Split is +525 for win
Bucharest is -322 for win, +350 for draw
Varazdin is +700 for win
Stoke City is -181 for win, +260 for draw,
Hajduk is +425 for win
These are all odds for laying down $100. Example, Lay $100 to win $425 on Hajduk for win.
Well done Baričeviću!
I really dont know what to expect from this match. On paper, Dinamo are heavy favorites. I'm not a fan of Kruno Jurčić.
Unfortunately, Ante and I will be at work during this game, so summary might be a tad late. Looking forward to everyones comments during the game.
I visited the Sonera Stadium back in 2008 when it was called the Finnair Stadium. Nice little stadium.
HJK are mid-season and leading their league by 9 points. 8-0 at home too. Just some things to point out.
That said, Dinamo should at least tie tomorrow.