Alright, I’ll be the first one to admit that covering U-17 soccer is a bit ridiculous. Sure, these kids are the future of Croatian soccer, but at the same time, only one or two of these guys (historically speaking) is going to become a force for the senior side. And this is basically Croatia’s high school team we’re talking about.
Nonetheless, no matter what age group you are representing, if you make the quarterfinals of a World Cup, I’ll give you some love. And that’s exactly what the Croatia U-17 team did in Chile Thursday night.
After defeating Group A winners Nigeria 2-1 in the last match of group play to lock up second place and a berth in the Round of 16, Croatia faced Germany Thursday in Concepcion.
I only caught the same highlights you are about to watch, and even though Croatia pulled out a 2-0 victory, that scoreline does not dictate how close the game really was. Nikola Moro scored a junk goal in the 18th minute when the ball pinballed around the box with the German defense looking like chickens with their heads cut off. Moro would find the ball at his feet and and find an open lane to the back of the net. Dejan Lovren’s brother, Davor, would score an injury time garbage goal as Croatia found themselves on a 2-on-1 breakaway after the German side pushed all their players up.
But the real star appeared to be goalie Adrian Šemper who made two keys saves.
Next up for Croatia: Mali in the quarterfinals on Sunday.
Croatia-Germany U-17 World Cup Highlights
backpedaling????? from what?????
Keep backpedaling clown
what is so offensive??????? I don’t recall posting anything that is over the top.
Let me get this straight, you are mad because I make a few dumb jokes/lines/zingers at the expense of people you don’t know and have never met………Oh, the horror.
Listen, some days there is not much to post.
“Me????? Clown…….how so??????”
oh, lets see… you claim all the offensive crap you write is some sort of joke. Yet, nobody but you ever finds it funny. Funny to you, scary to others…. A clown.
Me????? Clown…….how so??????
@Iggy
Well that’s just it. Many argue that he wasn’t being just a journalist. He worked for Al-Jazeera who were very supportive of the Muslim Brotherhood, and he was apparently reporting anti-Sisi propaganda when Sisi was arresting the Brotherhood for their crimes against civilians. Now, Fahmy was likely just following orders from his employer, but this is where biased journalism can get you in trouble, and that’s why I think it’s scary here in Canada when I see it as well. You are pressured to have strong views on things, even if you’re just indifferent, and it can you into trouble whichever path you choose (even if you’re neutral).
Also, the Canadian government DID get involved in trying to release him, but the Canadian news here made it seem like they didn’t do enough.
Fahmy’s situation was different from the Aussie’s situation in that Fahmy was a born and raised Egyptian who was living and working in Egypt at the time of his arrest. He lived and went to school in Canada a long time ago, and suddenly was being showcased in the news as this Canadian victim in a foreign country. I don’t blame him for leveraging his Canadian citizenship to get himself out of trouble, but you can understand why it’s not so black and white (which the news made it out to be).
Ziva, the reason people recall what you write is because you are full of shit. People dont forget the clown on the site.
Agree poglavnik
And to be fear to Mohamed Fahmi, i dont think he did anything wrong other than be a journalist. And you seem upset he wanted governmental assistance, keep in mind the aussie (peter greste) he was arrested at the same time as for exactly the same “crime” was released about a year earlier because the aus government actually got off their lazy arses. Seems like he has valid complaints imho
Don’t u find the media in Calgary to be supremely pro Conservative? Alberta is Harper country. Or I’m guessing the fact that a left wing Premier was elected in Alberta for the first time in like 30 years has something to do with this new Liberal support.
Because it’s widely known out west that Post Media which run BC’s 2 biggest papers are big time righties.
Anywho Id way sooner boycott a media outlet than the football team that represent us.
Good post Maminjo,
I just can’t stand the fact that they would take the time to write about one thing and overlook a much more important topic!
Slavonac,
I’ve been living in Calgary for years now, and the same stuff happens here in Canada. It’s just that people don’t feel it as much because they’re too busy working, so they don’t really feel any financial impact to their lives.
But according to the media, everything is bad and it’s all the Conservative Government’s fault. All the news outlets are constantly reporting on:
The migrants who were (apparently) denied entry to Canada (though it was proven later to not be true);
The so-called Canadian Mohamed Fahmi case in Egypt (who hasn’t lived in Canada in over 12 years and demands that the Canadian prime minister himself should have somehow gotten him out, regardless of the probably justifiable charges that were brought against him);
An hour-long documentary about Canada’s military presence in Syria that “might” have killed some citizens (which is proven to be false, of course, with no rebuttal or apology to the military)….
…and now that the Conservative government is out, you don’t hear ANYTHING about these things on the news anymore.
The bias in news reporting in Canada is downright SCARY. They will annihilate you if you even question anything they agree with or who they support. What’s even worse, is that the publicly-funded CBC news outlet is receiving additional funding now from the new Liberal government. Nobody even questions this.
I’m not even Conservative, but I feel extremely uncomfortable about all politics in Canada. People in Canada are VERY political, but nobody actually follows politics or even know what anybody’s platform is. It’s just a left wing vs right wing gang discussion, and I avoid talking about it at all costs for fear of losing my job or having to deal with aggressive idiots who don’t know what they’re talking about.
Re: the news media in Croatia…
Yes, it’s very wierd to see Index have a “boycott” banner on their website, when they’re supposed to be reporting on news without bias…but having lived in Cro before this, I still believe that the media in Cro is still a far cry from what I’m seeing here in Canada now.
So more propaganda by the Yugo media about the ZDS comment. I’m so damn tired of it…some fuckheads in Croatia should kill themselves, they make such a big deal over this than it deserves.
The boys are playing an important game tomorrow and all I read about is that one phrase that most people love and respect but for some reason, it’s getting all the publicity….bunch of losers running the media!
If anything should be boycotted it’s them! It just never stops…one day it’s HDZ, the next it’s Joe Simunic, then Mamic, then again HDZ while nobody gave two shits about the swastika…now ZDS, how on earth does that country function when there seems to be a constant circus going on?!?!
Delac was brought up as an example of a person people on this site overhyped (not me) and said was our GK of the future. My point was that I don’t buy into the hype of most teenagers because most don’t work out. Pro sports is tough.
I totally agree with about Delac. He was nothing and he was one of those cheap signings by Chelsea where if it works out, great. If not, nothing lost.
@Notmy Realname……….tie was the same thing as a loss. People make crazy comments all the time. No different than when Pranjic starts a game now or is brought in. A level of frustration hits fans and they say things they don’t really mean. Did I wish we lose to Yugo back then? Nope. But, as soon as I saw Simic warming up I knew it was a lost cause and I said what I said as a joke with some frustration. Either way, can’t believe people recall what I post on here years later. Credit to you guys for paying attention.
Lika Joey,
Šemper played the game of his life against the Germans, but he allowed two goals on two shots on net against the USA.
I hope that he plays solidly for the rest of the tournament and beyond, but I think that we have more talented goalies in the pipeline for the future A side.
But Živa, we didn’t lose, we tied, so I don’t know what you are talking about.
Someone who lives the ZDS lifestyle, even in frustration, should not hope that we lose because they disagree with the coach. Expecially lose to YUGOSLAVIA…!
Did your parents failed you?
Dino Halilovic is in the squad Alen’s younger brother.
@maminjo
He is brought up by you know who to make it look like he knows what he is talking about.
Why is Delač always brought up?
He never did anything for the juniors. He was hyped during his time at Zaprešić when he had a streak of clean sheets, and Chelsea prematurely bought him. Immediately after that season, he disappeared.
Quarterfinal match vs Mali is Sunday 4pm Chicago time on FS2
How was Corluka’s career ruined ?
@Soul Champ
Give the mali Malian’s a veliki beat down!
Well said.
I’m really liking Kalaica.
He’s massive with a nice touch and really good composure on the ball.
We’ve been spoiled with midfield talent.
I want to now see a future General develop at centre-half!
Ziva, Semper is no Delac! This kid is a precocious talent!!! I’m jumping on his band wagon!!.
@ JM
Lovren lacks pace ?
Brate Lovren looks like Di Maria!
He has pace to burn, a bit quirky, but dynamic none the less.
@ Svima
This team has a core of studs.
Looking forward to Mali getting the VELIKI beat down !
many of poor choices have ruined a career or two………for example…….
food – Niko Kranjcar
STDs – Corluka
bad choice in women – Petrovic (ruined more than a career)
smokes/drinking – Zuti
gambling – Cico
Arizona-Croat
Don’t forget food. That ruined my hero Niko Kranjcar’s career.
@Soul Champ
Agree with you. Mamic just keeps producing elite talent. Brekalo, Moro and semper are playing above any of the competition. Love that they are part of the Dinamo academy.
As good as they are it is the injuries that can stall a career, hopefully they keep developing injury free.
.
No, not really……..Bringing in Simc in that game was a sign we should lose. Me joking around and saying “I hope we lose” was nothing more than frustration.
Ziva,
I think that you lost your right to defend or pretend to live the ZDS lifestyle when you hope hoped that Croatia would lose to Yugoslavia when Josip Šimić was subbed into the game, as you have stated on this site. So, stop pretending!!!
Ah Živa, always the optimist.
Well done on him posting it. Nothing to be ashamed of or having to justify it.
Yep, dude is free to post what he wants. But, he also has to be aware this could create some unwanted attention now. He might actually embrace that and could be well equipped to handle it. It wouldn’t hurt to have someone defend “Za dom….spremni” who isn’t an idiot. Right now the only people who come out and try to defend ZDS are the extreme right-winger (my kind of people), but they don’t really provide any credibility.
The dad fought in the war, he has a right to say what he wants to!
RNK Split just beat Dinamo.
Hajduk with a chance to increase the lead at the top of the table.
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/otac-hrvatskog-junaka-na-facebooku-hvala-u-ime-cijele-u17-reprezentacije-za-dom-spremni/852743.aspx
I wouldn’t blame the novnari or the novinar for this……..they are reporting on what the old man posted.
Now, do I think this is something or a big deal??????……….nope. But, it is news that the father of the team captain is using a term that is not totally accepted across Cro. Now, it is accepted by me and all those who live the “za dom….spremni” lifestyle like myself. But, there are those commie lovers who don’t like that term and they have a significant forum.
Here we go with our novinari trying create a bad atmosphere with our U17 side as well
http://www.24sata.hr/nogomet/otac-hrvatskog-u-17-kapetana-hvala-svima-za-dom-spremni-444586
Semper was great…………….but, what does the future hold?????????? Nobody knows.
Let me remind you of a guy named Matej Delac. Remember him????? We had people on this very site claiming he was the next great GK. And look where he is at today.
Don’t worry about these long range forecasts on who will do well and who wont. Most of these guys won’t. History tells us that wont. If we get 3 guys who are contributors, that would be great. Anything more is something that just doesn’t happen. Just take a look at the last 5 or 6 U17 tourneys and look at the list of Golden Ball and Golden Show winners……Way more guys who didn’t make it than guys who. For every Toni Kross and Cesc, there are 5 more non names.
Sosa and Brekalo are a great tandem down the left side. Brekalo will be a World Class player if he doesn’t get injured or decide drugs alcohol and women are more important than soccer.
He will be signed by a big club after this cup.
@ lika joey
agreed. semper was awesome yesterday
Jm,Semper was incredible yesterday…he looks like one of the stand out players to me!
Jm goalie who knows? Semper was incredible yesterday…he looks like one of the stand out players to me!
The play leading up to the first goal yesterday in the U17 game was very good. The goal itself came from a bit of a scramble but the service into the box and the reaction by our players was very good…not sure why anyone would call it garbage…that’s not a fair comment!
@ mark
i agree, i’ve enjoyed watching this u-17 much more than the senior team!
they play with speed, aggression, and a brain so far…quite impressive… it’s like watchinga team made up of perisic – es
i won’t pretend to be a master talent evaluator, but I continue to think Brekalo looks like the stud of this team
The ability to take on a defense and bend it, is what distinguishes the good from the great…and so far he is showing a rare ability to do that ….every time he touches the ball it seems to be electric
lovren seems hyped, but unexciting to me….some ball skills but lacks the pace
similar thing with moro…he keeps bullying his ways to goals and assists….but doesn’t seem to have the pace
brekalo seems like the one to watch for the future on this team offensively….goalie and defense who knows
BUT IF YOU FOLLOW CRO SOCCER, YOU SHOULD WATCH THESE GAMES! THEY ARE QUITE ENJOYABLE
Fucking galaxsy s6….ignore the extra days etc..
The exact same thing can be said about the u20 team….only a few will contribute…the u17 is the major tournament for young talent…if your 20 and not in the eye of a big club or nowadays days at a big club your done…this is the major tournament for the future…good article Ante!!
Breaking ankles is the best way to describe how Brekalo and even Sosa play.
If Sosa pans out, we will finally have a world class LB
Getting 5 or 6 kids from a U17 roster to be legit starters on the senior repka is rare, very rare. I’ll just say be careful with those type of predictions because they don’t happen. Who never know and this could be one of these one in a century type of squads, but the odds say that 2 or 3 guys will be contributors.
Some of these 16 and 17 yr old kids will get better and develop more, while others may have reached their peak. You just don’t know. Go back the last 10 or 15 years and look at the roster of previous U17 squads and you ccan pick out the guys who were considered to be locks down the road and were not.
Just enjoy the money with these kids right now.
Boban I agree with the players you listed but I would add Soldo too. Promising CB. I agree with comments above. Really enjoyed watching these kids play. They go to war for each other.
@Poglavnik i @Ante
I dvr’d and watched all 4 of their matches. I swear they are more exciting to watch than the adults. Everyone gives 100% at all times and the refs let a lot play on. No bs pansy calls.
Brekalo is a stud and we will defintitely see him sign with a top club. Mark my words.
The 18th minute “garbage” goal wasn’t that garbage. By that point we had almost all possession % and were constantly attacking. We had just hit the post a minute or two before the goal. It was definitely deserved. Even the announcer said that.
It’s refreshing watching this group of young talent before the corrupt politics of Croatian soccer takes them over. It’s only a matter of time since all of them, except for one, are already signed with Dinamo.
samo naprid
I have watched most of the games as well and I agree that these kids are legit.
They have a teamwork mentality with great individual players, as well. They possess a lot of trickery in their game and watching them pass the ball to each other is a pleasure to witness, almost like watching someone playing footie on a video game. The game stats, other than the final scoreline, don’t tell the true story of who dominated as the Germans had more possession, took more shots, etc…but, you could tell that Šemper’s big saves at the begining of the game took the wind out of the German teams sails, he really got into their heads and there was no way they were going to score, imo.
@ Ante
Yes I would watch an elite 15u crew play.
This 17u squad is full of elite talent.
I actually see 5-6 kids who have a chance to be legit starters on the senior squad.
The level of soccer has been more entertaining then 90% of the senior team games over the last 10 years!
@ Svima
Mamić is a criminal no doubt BUT he is a Croatian one that has produced elite talent for over a decade and seems to be getting even better at it.
Interesting to see how the capitalist model has worked in cultivating our natural talent.
Each and every one of these boys from Dinamo who start on the u17 are earning multi million dollar contracts through there performance in Chile.
I pray these boys keep competing and go as far as their talent can take them.
ZDS
I’d watch any croatian national team and support them if i could.
Doesn’t matter if it’s u15s or what.. archery, judo, synchronised swimming.. if they are representing Hrvatska they have my love and support. Maybe even golf ! (although i must admit that is pushing it)
@ Poglavnik,
touche on watching the games.
question to you all…if Croatia had a u15 team and they made the world cup…would you watch the games?
Iv watched the full 90 in all of our matches.
Still say its a hard worked goal.
We pressured them for long periods of time.
Some of the passing and link up play was awesome.
We skyed a few chances and just missed on a few final balls.
German captain was giving Brekalo big props at the end if the match.
Brekalo was breaking ankles and drawing fouls all day.
Fully deserved win!
@Poglavnik,
That’s not a highlight reel goal and it came off German errors. Did you watch the full 90?
@anonymous,
goals were garbage. love=a post on csr
Moro scored an Ivica Olic type goal.
There is 3-5 kids that will have good careers on this team,
Moro, Lovren, Brekalo, Sosa and possibly Semper. I haven seen the goalie make a mistake yet, quick off the line, brave, confident, good judgment..
“ill give them some love” yet both goals are “garbage”. Nice. Semper really played well but the team as a whole was great.
Btw I disagree that covering u17 soccer is “ridiculous”.
You’re really downplaying this performance.
Moro’s goal was the result of hardwork. From Brekalo in particular who beat three guys down the wing about a minute after hammering one off the post.
Very entertaining game from start to finish.
I’d say the same about all four games so far.