With European group stage games ending this week and the knockout rounds of Champions League and Europa League resuming after the winter break, let’s breakdown which Croatian internationals will have a chance to lift some silverware when the second half of the season restarts in 2014.
Luka Modrić scored a beauty from outside the box Tuesday in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Copenhagen. The win ensures that Real Madrid finish the group stage undefeated, only dropping two points in the process. Los Galacticos will be a seed in Monday’s knockout round draw.
Modrić strike vs. Copenhagen
Mario Mandžukić will be the only other Croatian in Champions League play, alongside Modrić, after Bayern Munich topped Group D with 15 points. However, they did fall at home to Manchester City 3-2 after leading 2-0. It has been the only hiccup in Bayern’s season thus far. The reigning European champions will be a seed in the draw. Mandžukić has scored two goals in the Champions League this season.
Darijo Srna and Shakhtar Donetsk will miss out on the Champions League knockout round after falling to Manchester United at Old Trafford on the final day of group stage. As a consolation, the Ukrainian champions will enter the Europa League Round 0f 32 draw as a seed. It wasn’t the path Srna wanted to go but it shows that Shakhtar are not an elite European side. He captained his side to a UEFA Cup championship only a few years ago. This team can definitely make another run in Europa League.
Ivan Rakitić and Sevilla topped their group in Europa League and will join Dnipro (Strinić, Kalinić) and dynamo Kiev (Vida, Vukojević) in the Round of 32 draw.
Although Rijeka are not going through to the next round in their maiden European season, they will have to be happy with four points in group play. All four points came from draws with Rijeka going undefeated at home against Lyon, Real Betis and Vitoria Guimaraes. Dinamo Zagreb finished group play with only one point.
@Ante B
On a national team jersey it looks a little better, but when you put your own name on say a Madrid jersey that looks pretty corny.
@ Nije Bitno – I agree with some of the stuff Ziva says, other times, not so much. I respect his right to say it, however the hypocrisy is can be blatant. I think most of the time he just chooses the other side of the argument to just be different or start and argument. Uvijek Kontra.
When he chooses to be grounded, I believe that he and I do share the same opinion on a few topics. I never cared for Sammir. I believe most did not as well.
I also hoped that we would qualify, BUT, would have a string of games that were so poor that we would get rid of Stimac.
Also, I never thought Mandzukic is world class. Good striker? Yes. Just happens to play on the most perfect team in the world for any striker that specializes in finding a bit of space and tapping the ball in. I will give Mandzukic straight A’s for his work ethic, how he pressures a defense and how his Arial game has evolved. His accuracy using his head to score is pretty World Class.
Poglavnice,
But even that has an asterisk next to it. I have a Cro jersey with my name on the back that was given to me as a gift from my sister. No way id ever get it back. I just got a new top from ZG with no last name on the back which means that I have to retire my old one from 2006. I hate change.
Ziva, please don’t try to play the (I will say what I want) roll. Once you start saying what you want when Prle pins ya, I will respect that. Until then, your a gypsi and you wisely choose your battles.
^ ^
I think it’s a little early for that.
City have scored 35 goals in 8 games at the Emirates.
They killing everyone up there.
I think it’s a 3 horse race.
Arsenal, City, Chelsea.
I guess Arsenal are being proven as pretenders once more. Any team with Gibbs, Jenkinson, Walcott and Giroud in their team cannot be taken seriously.
@ Ziva – I will not buy a Walcott jersey, ever !! 😉
You know what’s way worse than wearing a players name on a jersey? Wearing your OWN name on a professional jersey. You don’t play for that team dude…
Ajme guys, this topic about jersey’s is getting old! I get Ziva’s point but at the end of the day if you choose to wear a jersey with whatever you want on the back, that’s your perogative, who really cares? I have seen tons of people wear jerseys with names on the back, especially Italians…who cares!?!? Personally, if I see someone somewhere outside of my city wearing a Croatian jersey I always feel as if we have something in common, I don’t judge them negatively. If Ziva thinks you’re a homo for wearing one that’s his opinion…I think there are worse things a person can wear ie…socks with sandals, shit catcher jeans, sweat pants with dress shoes…I wear a wife beater under my dress shirts or just a wife beater in the summer months…people tell me I’m fucked…who really cares?
I think Ziva is speaking from a perspective of maturity and adulthood, he has a point! Kids idolize pro athletes…how many adults wear a Justin Bieber t-shirt or a Kiss t-shirt? I’d be embarrassed to do so and quite honestly when I see someone my age (45) wearing an Affliction shirt with jeans that have huge pockets and bright stitching, I shake my head, it’s kinda foolish to see adults acting like kids!
why not?????? If I want I can make a sarcastic remark about anything and anyone. Nothing is off limits in my mind, even tragedies. I’m not saying I have something funny to say about it, but big deal if I did.
@petar…………if jerseys with another man’s name on the back are your thing, then more power to you. I wouldn’t do it because god forbid I would have to explain to my child one day (when it happens) why daddy is wearing a shirt with another’s man’s name on my back. It is a form of disrespect to yourself. Don’t disrespect yourself.
Some of you guys are all over me, but in reality I am here to provide some helpful hints.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q3M3lYtBgkA
I meant this link sorry…
What about the kornati tragedy a few years back! Any funding go to those Hero’s families? Ziva I better not hear a sarcastic thing about this incident….
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Twz52jzFYfY
@ Ziva – whatever fits your narrative. Continue talking about grown men playing sports and using your free time to watch them. Again, God Forbid you own a jersey. You sound like Goebbels when he tried to advocate free speech. People see through your hypocracy. Again, sometimes I agree with what you say, quite often you just try and say things to create an argument. Quite childish, really.
What a fraud you are Ziva. Ante (ziva’s step dad) I believe this is a mentoring moment.
@Petar Radman-Livaja………all good. Books, videos are cool to collect. Everything is OK except for jerseys with name on the back and autographs/photos of athletes/celebrities. Having such items is a form of jock sniffing and hero worshipping. No athlete deserves to be jock sniffed and hero worshipped.
And no hypocrisy on my end. I watch and gamble on sports because it is a form of entertainment. Collecting shirts that have another person’s name on them is not entertainment. Its a form of self disrespect and jock sniffing.
Again, if any of you guys have any questions and wonder if a certain act is a form of jock sniffing, feel free to ask. I am here to help out. I know I have yet to fully embrace twitter (@ziva_istina), but you are free to ask me via twitter or this message board if ever in doubt.
? You spend a good chunk of your free time watching grown men chase around some sort of ball. You have made much mention to the fact you gamble on such activities, you spend a lot of free time commenting on sport, BUT, God forgive you if you own a jersey? Do you even listen to what you say sometimes?
Enjoy your birthday! Sretan Rodjendan
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/luke-gazdic-milan-lucic-square-off-epic-heavyweight-044732595–nhl.html
Croatia v Serbia, Canadian style! 🙂
Notice that punk Lucic jump the kid too?
A proper tough guy lays down the gloves and squares off.
@ Nepoznat – Haha, I contacted Denis as well. I met him and all the San Pedro boys when they visited Toronto over 2 years ago. I do not believe he has that one. I believe he told me that he was actually in the Fanzone in Europe watching that. However, if you do have a copy of that game, it would be greatly appreciated.
@ Slavonac From Canada – Thank you for the kind wishes! Tell Joko, I say hello. I look forward to our future chats between you and I, here on CroatianSports.
Okay, Now, I am off to Toronto for some Cognac. I am worse than a woman when getting ready to go out.
Best Regards, Gentlemen.
Petar I will try to contact you about the missing games from your collection (Vatreni only here but I have complete set now, thanks Denis!)
Fucking ipad… Sretan!
Sure tan ti rodjendan Livaja….I hope you live 100 years!
@ IvicA – I am familiar with the restaurant. My parents are very familiar with it. I do not know if the stari Lovac is still running it. However, moj Tetak, Ivan Matic is apparently quite close with them. My mothers maiden name is Susnjara, she is from Trijl. My Father, Radman or Radman-Livaja (Radman-Livaja or Radman-Levi, was just a bit too Jewish when he was immigrating into Germany) from Grab, quite close to Trijl. However, my Mothers sister married into the Matic family and my mother tells me that my tetak, Ivan Matic knows them quite well.
Okay, now I am off to celebrate my 34th Birthday an hour early.
This was a great conversation and reminiscing. I look forward to chatting with you again, gentlemen.
Best Regards
@ Slavonac From Canada – Yes, I know Joko well. He and I are both Hajduk fans until we die. RIP, Vinko Coce. However, Coce said it best, “Kada umrem umotan u bilo” and “Sine moj, ti budi Torcida, bili su ti I Caca i Dida”
@ Dejan M – Mitrovic sounds extremely familiar. Sadly, not on a personal level though. I could, but it is just escaping me at the moment.
Okay boys, It is my 34th Birthday in less than 1 hour. I am off to have a night out and taste some Cognac.
@Petar Radman-Livaja
My family is from near Trilj as well.
You ever go to Restoran Lovac?
Best restaurant in Trilj.
Petar you’re from oakville you said no? Do you know any mitrovic’s living in Mississauga or Brampton?
Hahaha…..of course! I know Joko relatively well, he’s a good guy! The only bad thing I can say about him is that he suffers from being a Hajduk fan, other than that he’s all good!
Perhaps a long shot. However, if you are from Vancouver does the name Joko Bosnjak sound familiar?
Yeah, every so often they go to NJ, I think that’s where some of the Botica’s now live…there are some here in Vancouver.
I believe the Boticas’ are from Ruda
@ Slavonac From Canada – Thats amazing, my Mothers maiden name is Susnjara. She is from Sinj/Trijl. Her brother, my Uncle has a daughter Milena that married into the Botica family.
5 Kids? I love it! Nothing better than a large family. I couldn’t imagine life without all my 5 brothers and sisters. The house was always full when we lived in Mississauga. We have a huge Croatian community in the GTA. When the cousins and Kumovi would come from London, St Catherines, St Thomas, Toronto, those were the best times. We never had the most, but there was always enough prsut and sir on the table, we appreciated what we had.
Women often ask me how many kids I want. I always say 5, most are shocked. They aren’t old school like our Mothers who never had any epidural. My Mother took care of 5 kids, plus my father who is like another 5 kids wrapped in one person and she still found the time to run the entire household, take us to Croatian school and church ever weekend and volunteer within the Croatian community up here in Toronto.
Times are different now. Hardly any more single income households. You both have to together as a team, in and out of the home.
Whatever you say!
And my beloved Slavonac, it’s still a lie no matter how many BS sites post it
Slavonac… 5 kids? That’s pretty rare for a white coup–…. nevermind heh heh
Another kid to keep an eye on !?
http://www.americansoccernow.com/articles/jeremy-toljan-is-earning-minutes-at-hoffenheim
You are from Sinj, I know a family here related to Livaja and they are also from Sinj….you know the Botica family?
Kids nowadays don’t value much, when I was little I rolled up socks to play indoor soccer and my brother used closed pegs to make a track to play with his cars! We had zero….I remember the first time we ordered a pizza, I was 14 and was completely shocked…wow….pizza delivery?
I have 5 kids, they have their toys and gadgets, everything in moderation…I can’t stand it when I see spoiled kids getting everything handed to them, mine certainly don’t, I’m a bit old school!
Hi guys, can i just apologise for not being here lately, have a few things on and haven’t had a chance to read all the comments (which i usually do!) so hope to be back soon !
Be good guys ! : )
@ Slavonac From Canada – One mans junk is another mans treasure.
Honestly, I am 33 and for the large part of my childhood, when we moved from Germany to Toronto, we were lucky for all we were given from our parents. 5 kids, my parents worked their asses off just to give us what they could. You had to cherish everything you had because you never knew if you would ever get anything else again. I still have my first pair of nice shoes my parents bought me. In grade 6 they bought me a pair of Jordans for Christmas. I took those things off every day after school, cleaned them and put them back in the box and would hide it under my bed. kids would be playing floor hockey with a tennis ball at recess and I would just watch because I didnt want to ruin my kicks. Before that, it was nothing but kicks like “Kangaroos” or whatever knockoffs were at Biway.
Even to this day, all my kicks, and there are A LOT. They all go into their shoe box after I wear them.
My Parents would always tell me how hard life was for them in Jugoslavia, where my mother would get an Orange for her birthday and she would feel lucky for that.
They would try and send all of the kids to Croatia every summer so we knew where we came from. Hell, they had tons of land in Sinj and if they were that grateful for an Orange as a child, damn well believe I would appreciate all they gave me.
Livaja- funny story! If you love memorabilia that’s totally cool dude, I’ve made the mistake of giving very important things away when I never should have….keep the things you enjoy, only you know what they mean!
My appologies, “Kumovi”
I am out here in Oakville, Canada. Anytime you guys are up for a game, let me know. I am actually pissed because some took my copy of the Croatia v Germany Euro 2008 game. I have been trying to find a copy the past few days. My games are not just Croatia games, though. I have pretty much the entire tournament on DVD/VHS from all those tournaments. I print off a game report/line ups afterwards, laminate it and then put it in my duo-tang for that tourny. Sometimes, I just like having it on in the background as I am cleaning, working, or doing whatever. I have always been passionate about history/archeology, all my collections are kind of like preserving that which I love. I believe I may have OCD because the house is spotless, you will not see random boxes of crap.
I love to read, so, their are tons of books. Sadly, no first editions, yet. They are just far too expensive. Love music, all forms, love my vinyl or cds. I grew up with 80s and early 90s hip hop/rap, before Puffy sold its soul to the devil. But I have some cool friends who got me into Electronic music as well as rock and folk music from the 60s – 70s.
As for film, I grew up with my mother and 4 other siblings huddled around a black and white tv in the basement because my Father would be watching the only colored tv in the home. He never missed a hockey game when they moved from Germany to Canada in the 70s. So, PBS and old black and whites were what really got me into film. Later, I started watching the classics like “Citizen Kane” “The God Father 1 and 2” part three should only be used as a coaster for drinks. “Palpillon”, “Bullit” “The French Connetion” “Gone With The Wind” “Giant”
Like I said though, I love my sports memorabilia. My Sisters and Cousins/Kumavi spoil me rotten. I must have over 15 Hajduk Jerseys from over the years. I loved Boksic, I have a few of his Lazio jerseys, Bobans from Milan, Tudor from Juve, Stanic from Parma, Modric from Dinamo/Tottenham/Real, Eduardo in the classic white and gold writing that year from Arsenal. Other jerseys are from players I always respected, my father was a Habs fan because of Maholich, so, naturally I grew up as a Nordiques fan and migrated with them when they moved to Colorado. But, i got the Sakic/Forseberg Nordiques jerseys. Drazen Petrovic Mitchell and Ness jersey, Roger Maris Yankees jersey, also Mitchell and Ness. I got the 1985 Larry Bird Celtics jersey. I could go on forever.
Hell, I still have all my toys from when I was younger, safely put in boxes. All my old GI Joes and Transformers. Comics, Graphic Novels, Cartoons from the 80s. Back when waking up before Croatian School every Saturday morning was a joy. You got your bowl of cereal and just enjoyed some good cartoons until my Mother would drag me to the car kicking and screaming for Croatian School.
@ Petar
Love to hang in your “basement” and watch some of those matches from ’96 on. Those were great times for me as a young man.
I am happy that you are going to Brazil. You deserve it!
You will watch live Modric score his golazzo on the world stage.
@ Petar
I have a friend exactly like you. I wouldn’t call him a jock sniffer though. He’s just a different type of guy. You’re probably a hobbiest of some sort and are obviously into the arts. I’m guessing your entire stan/kuča is stacked with this stuff. Guys like you get a pass in my book. You’re more of a hoarder. But I like your argument.
Bravo Petar.
The Serbian Under 17s beat ours 4-1 the other day. A few sections earlier I responded to Slavonac From Canada with some youth prospects to keep an eye on. One was the younger brother of Blanka Vlasic who happens to be in the Hajduk youth setup. He was the lone goal scorer in that game
@ Ziva – Yeah, I guess by your definition I am a jock sniffer as well. I love sports memorabilia and collect pretty much anything I am passionate about, Literature, Film, Music, etc. I have pretty much every European Championship and World Cup game on DVD since Euro 96. I have a sick collection of vinyl and DVD BLU Rays, also jersey from all sports. A ton are signed jerseys from Croatian players when they actually played in Croatia with their HNL teams before their big money moves across Europe. Let me ask you this, do you ever see your blatant hypocrisy? You spend a good chunk of your free time watching grown men chase around some sort of ball. You have made much mention to the fact you gamble on such activities, you spend a lot of free time commenting on sport, BUT, God forgive you if you own a jersey? Do you even listen to what you say sometimes?
It’s difficult to distinguish between a gypsy, a Turk and a Serb…all unshaven and ugly as shit!
Serbian women are oppressed, much of this has to do with the mysogynistic culture which was put in place under Ottoman rule.
Antwerp – I agree, Croatians have always been the bravest soldiers throughout history….we’ve showed that many times!
Karadzic, I see you’ve already abandoned the Claim that what Milosevic said was a “lie”…change of topics in hope that you may win an argument?
Google it and you’ll see the epidemic that has Serb women fighting for their rights….unfortunately it falls on deaf fears while the police and officials never take actions on the wife beaters!
Backwards nation backwards culture….cigani!
It was an awesome effort. Not only were they brave, but clever and resourceful as well. Which is typical of our people.
Bravo, Slavonac! Calling serbs wife beaters laugh out loud… seems like your latina wife beats you, eh? heh heh heh
I lost family in Vukovar, from what I’ve read and watched…I have no idea how those people defended a fully armed military that utilized over 100 tanks, the Air Force and far more sophisticated weapons. There is only one way to describe those Hero’s that stood in plain site of evil, knowing they were facing over 36,000 Drunken Serb pigs while they defended with only 1,800…”Za Dom” su branili I dali su svoj zivot za nas narod!
@ Slavonac
That goes to show you, that one Hrvat fighting to defend his homeland is worth more than the entire Serbian army.
Vukovar was arguably the turning point in the War. The defense of the city stopped the Serbian offensive into Croatia. And it gave our nation time to fully mobilize.
Yes they are what….lying? That comment was used in court and was a direct quote taken and used as a transcript…how could you possibly defend it? Just because you don’t want to believe it doesn’t mean it’s not true!
Have you ever watched Karadzic in an interview or Seselj? They are certifiably sick fucks who in any other country on this planet would be in a psych ward, only in Serbia do you glorify people like these mental cases…it’s not surprising that your people are backwards and in shambles. Wife beaters, backwards Neanderthals…nothing more nothing less!
Truth hurts for karadizic. His Serb army ran like chicken shit from Vukovar. Karadizic himself was hiding. Hahaha
Yes they are
Really, so the Serb website is lying?
http://www.vesti-online.com/Vesti/Ex-YU/137745/Milosevic-6000-Hrvata-branilo-je-Vukovar-pola-godine-a-vi-Knin-ni-12-sati
Hellllloooooo!!!!!!!!
On a side note, the new Hobbit film opens tonight. And Modric is starring in it as one of the Hobbits. 🙂
If anyone can’t comprehend the nonsense Poglvanik just wrote, I’ll sum it up for you. Basically he’s saying: Lalalalala I can’t hear you
Slavonac that’s bullshit he never said that
@ Dennis
To the families of Vukovar from the prva generacija via CSR.
@ Ziva NEGATIVNA
Modric scored plenty of goals for Spurs ALL of which were high impact quality.
He can do it.
Madrid has so much attacking talent that it is tough to shoot when the killer pass presents itself.
For us he needs to shoot and score.
Once again I find you under estimating the magic that it is Modric.
Uvijek Vjerni
Curious to the level that you are the jock sniffing police ?
Modric is due for a golazzo for the repka and the World Cup would be the best place for it.
Fresh Mandzukic for Cameroon and Mexico.
Start Olic against Brazil to get is going. Then he comes off the bench for the rest of the tournament.
the biggest chicken shits ever in history….Serbs!
if the outnumber you and have firepower…they may have a chance….even up the odds and they run like rabbits…Slobo said so himself!
Slobodan Milosevic will always be remembered for this:
Milošević: Molim vas, 2 hiljada Hrvata je branilo Vukovar pola godine; napadala je cela Prva armija, vazduhoplovstvo, čudo, sva sila koju je imala JNA, a oni nisu odbranili Knin, kojem se može prići samo iz tri pravca; nisu ga mogli braniti ni 12 sati!?
Oni ga nisu branili, jer po svim izveštajima koje smo dobili od policajaca, građana i ostalih, čim je prestala artiljerijska priprema u sedam uveče, oni su naredili – bežaniju! Prema tome, tu nije bilo nikakvog otpora niti je bilo borbenog dodira sa hrvatskim snagama. (…) – Tamo je palo naređenje da svi izađu iz Krajine istog dana, čak bez stvorenog kontakta sa hrvatskom vojskom na najvećem delu fronta. Da smo istog tog dana napravili idiotsku glupost da im pomognemo, ko bi to stigao do Knina do večeri da im pomogne?! Pa, tamo ne bi moglo da se stigne od njihovih kolona kojima su zakrčili sve putove u bežaniji zajedno sa stanovništvom. (…) Pitanje je ko je, zaista, doneo odluku da krajiško rukovodstvo napusti Krajinu? Takva odluka, kada su imali sve uslove da se brane, izazvala je egzodus. Sada to treba da bude razlog da Jugoslavija jurne tamo da brani te teritorije, sa kojih su oni utekli kao zečevi?
i’m only gonna say this once because I can’t stand this fuckin subspecies they call Serbs.
CAN WE ALL PLEASE STOP GIVING THESE CUNTS THE SATISFACTION OF ANSWERING ANYTHING THEY HAVE TO SAY?!
Huh… the article is titled “HUMAN remains found in a suspected mass grave in Serbia” but the remains are albanians, and are they really considered humans? Also is there any news from the Nuremberg Trials cough cough I mean Josip Simunic’s trial
@ Anon
Please use the correct term going forward. It’s djubre karadzic.
Thank you.
where is that serb “karadzic je hero” now?
http://news.yahoo.com/human-remains-found-suspected-mass-grave-serbia-163751236.html
Lol good point ziva, explains one side of my family lol
well said, Ziva
If you were from bosna you’d be drinking as well.
Croats from Croatia *****^
Would you guys agree Croats from Bosnia party/drink more then Croats in Croatia ? We have 2 croatian parks here in the GTA and I always find the Bosnian Croats drink and party like crazy lol
@Ante B
Oh I saw it!
Even if he capitalised it I wouldn’t believe him though.
He’s a classic conservative-sensationalist.
I bet he jock-sniffs Bill O’Reilly every night.
*Dalmatinci not dalamtinci
for those of you Dalmatinci still awake, I apologize!
😉
I’m with Nije on this. Let’s find a charity in the domovina that supports under privledged kids, homeless, disabled, Dalamtinci, etc. all those groups can use some help during the holiday season.
Or here’s another briliant idea. Why not donate to a team who could use it? jadan i mali Hajduk maybe? Ask them to put the money towards some new sod/turf in Poljud and keep the stoka off the field…
…damn, see, I just did it. 🙂
Did you guys fail to see the key word of ALMOST there?
Kaman gojz
Ziva is against jock-sniffing, but, he’s all for Ziva-sniffing which many posters on this website are guilty of and help him along with. Isn’t that just as bad Ziva?
@Ziva
Would you also like to see 3 losses this June just for the “funny” commentary?
You need to find your sources of comedy elsewhere, not at the expense of the team and country we all love.
Ziva’s pretty cool for the most part, but this is definitely one of his more stupid, and selfish comments I’ve read!
“I almost want to see Mandza get more than a game suspension just to read the over-the-top commentary that would begin about how FIFA was out to get Cro.”
@Denis…..I wouldn’t take it. Honestly, what would I do with it. I have no use for a jersey with another man’s name. I would give it to the kid nearest me.
As far as the donations go I’m up for any charity but not red cross. They don’t have a good reputation. It’s Christmas time give it to some charity to give kids in Croatia presents. .
In Joe’s name. Even though he didn’t respond, this would never have happened if he didn’t do what he did
I didn’t participate but I think you should vote for a war veterans charity and send it there. Or a Vukovar charity. But be careful with that and make sure that djubre mayor isn’t involved
Donate it to uvijek vjeni
http://www.uvijekvjerni.hr/novost/1643/Humanitarna_akcija:-Pomognimo_Filipu_da_napravi_prve_korake
Guys, it doesnt look like we will get to Simunic. We contacted his teams multiple times and it looks like they don’t want more publicity on this. I even tried getting through to him on his cell phone. I dont think its going to happen.
So we basically have two options:
1) Refund the $$$
2) Donate to a charity in his name
3) Donate to a charity.
Make sure your paypal email addresses are updated.
you can always reach me at denis@croatiansports.com
.
to me based on club form. line up looks like
Pletikosa-Srna Carli Lovren Pranjic-Rakitic Modric-Perisic Kovacic Olic-Mandzukic. same team that v Iceland. Maybe Ilicevic Badelj Males Sifo can look for spots and LB is gonna be fun seeing what Niko does.
Sounds good Ziva. You didnt answer my question about the Simunic jersey. Would you accept it and what would you do with it/use it for?
@Mark,
No we didnt ask for anything. Ljubo wanted to give us something to show his appreciation and the only thing he had was a half dozen head bands.
Well said Adame!!
Ziva – over this past year I’ve read tons of your comments, I don’t always agree with you but I do respect your opinions and your input on several topics.
dobar si Ziva!
ps….am I jock sniffing…if so, I just had to say it, its the time of year we should be grateful and kind!
Ziva,
I do have a ton of my favorite athletes jerseys. So what? Your opinions are your opinion and you’re entitled to them. But don’t try to play them off that they are correct against others cause the majority of the time we all think you’ve got a screw loose.
“I’m glad you asked. I encourage all of you to ask if you are ever in doubt of committing a jock-sniffing violation. Remember, you never want to be “THAT GUY” who is thought of us a jock sniffer. Hero worshipping and jock snififng have no place in an adult Croatian males’ life.”
What makes you such a master on jock sniffing? The fact that you post the most comments on this site? Congrats, you are a croatiansports.com hero. That’ll get you far in life. But one thing you are not, is a true croat. Because no other croat in the world would say that he or she hopes mandza gets more than one game, or that they favor Mexico over croatia. Those are the kinds of things u say that help add to the number of comments you post on the site because obviously, they are so stupid and non loyal that they are going to draw attention from others. And for the record, you’re not being objective, you’re being a pessimistic attention whore and shitting on our savez.
@ Adame
I’ve felt that same way many times. He’s not stupid. To his credit he makes a lot of valid points. But he’s a prick about it most of the time. And when we don’t agree with him, it makes us hate him. This is what he thrives on. He’s just the product of living life in a fortified basement. Blame his mama.
@Slavonac……….guilty as well. You are correct. I have to to a better job on that as well. I’ve cut down on it. Now I only mention it when trying to prove a point.
@Adame…….not really. What did I say that is stupid. Let me guess, you are a jock sniffer and have tons of jerseys with another man’s name on the back other than your own name. And it pains you to hear/read what others have to say about such individuals. It’s OK. I hope you mature down the road.
I’m the one who generates the most comments on this site. Some of you feel the need to ridicule me because you don’t like what I write about. Which is fine. I’ve said it on more than one occasion: I’ll carry the cross here.
person*
Ziva has to be one of the stupidest people alive.
@ Ziva
I agree with what you said in that he got caught up in the emotion. I agree that it wasn’t smart from a player’s standpoint and that he could/would be punished for it. But I see it as heroic because of exactly what it did, stirred up emotions in commie run Cro. The citizens need to be reminded of our pride and frankly, kicked in the ass. Those commies HATE when shit like that happens. And it jolted that pride that’s in most of us Hrvati, diaspora or not. It even got djubre serbs/partizani on this sight checking us out. At least it did in me. You of all people should appreciate that.
I find people that say “I know this guy”…as in a former pro athlete…a form of “jock sniffing” as well. I know I’ve been guilty about talking of these things myself but if we are on the topic I’ll throw this one in as well! several people are proud to have been in the company of or to personally know a pro or former athlete, in our case its pro soccer players. Ziva – is this a form of jock sniffing…or do you think when you mention that you’re buddies that are ex players is just a way of letting people know that you are sometimes in the company of these ex pro’s! I know I’ve done it and admit it, I think you’ve done the same….want to let people know that you have famous pals…you agree?
@ Denis
I’d like to chime in. I don’t think you keeping Ljabacic’s headbands constitutes jock sniffing. It’s not like you stood there and asked for them, did you? I do agree with Ziva that going out and paying for another man’s jersey with his name is jocksniffing. If one is a huge fan, one should just purchase a team jersey. or a scarf
@Mark….It wasn’t heroic. He got caught up in the emotion of it and now will have to pay the price. Let me be clear: I have no issue with what he said because everyday in the fortified basement is a “Za Dom…Spremni” kind of day. But, what Joe did was selfish because he knew it would lead to controversy, especially saying in communist-controlled Zroatia. He put himself ahead of the team. Again, he got emotional and I don’t blame him for that. But, at the end of the day we are all held accountable for our actions.
@Denis………good question. Here is your answer. Buying memorabilia is a form of jock sniffing. No other way around it. Buying an autograph or photo, waiting in line for a photo or autograph….that is all forms of jock sniffing. Now, receiving something spontaneously from an athlete is OK. You were not expecting it. That is Ok. Unless you acted like one of these clowns do at baseball games and run over little children trying to get a foul ball. Now, that would be jockk sniffing.
Autobiographies are OK because they are usually historical accounts of history. No isses with that. SO, you are Ok to buy any autobiography you like.
I’m glad you asked. I encourage all of you to ask if you are ever in doubt of committing a jock-sniffing violation. Remember, you never want to be “THAT GUY” who is thought of us a jock sniffer. Hero worshipping and jock snififng have no place in an adult Croatian males’ life.
@ Ziva
Yes. Heroic. He didn’t do it for himself, he did it for the fans. What do you call it?
You’re pretty jumpy today. Do you have a deal with Dunkin’ Donuts where they drop of a week’s supply of fresh coffee to the fortified basement? Hinkley & Schmitt style.
@Nije Bitno,
Nice video. Who made it? Where is the singer from?
@Ziva,
Nice video. Some people take gaming seriously. I stick to online chess.
Your thoughts about this:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/michael-jordan-shoes-auctioned-104k-172944769–nba.html
What are your thoughts on memorabilia? Is that “jock sniffing” ?
What would you do if Simunic gave you his jersey off his back? What would you do with the jersey?
Ivan ljubicic gave me and five of us Croatians an unused headband after the championship match at indian wells. I still have that headband and it reminds me of that moment in indian Wells. Is that jock sniffing?
What are your thoughts on Autobiographies?
.
@mark……..Heroic speech???????? Is that what you call it. Than us non-91ers in the diaspora are all heroic. Let’s get over the hero worshipping, OK? Joe is going to be hit with a suspension.
@Croatia vs. Antwerp……….agreed. hate that as well when people go the other extreme.
“Homer Glasses” doesn’t just apply to seeing a player or team as being better than they actually are.
It also applies to incorrectly seeing a player/team as Worse than they really are.
The concept cuts both ways.
@ziva
Actually i just started to watch soccer this year, i have been busy on planet F A lot of Moms and i was sadly busy with yours for a while. There is a difference from objective and negative pessimist but you are just a Serb lover and Croatian pessimist on every damn article.
Excuse my language above, anything i said cannot and wont be used against me in any court of law.
Croatian or not, Manzo’s red card doesn’t deserve more than a 1 game suspension. And Crazy Joe’s heroic speach doesn’t deserve any game suspension. I can see a justification with the small fine (I’m not agreeing with it), from a FIFA standpoint obviously. Anything more in both cases would be excessive in my opinion.
all star yugoslav team
handonovic
srna vidic lovren subotic
ivanovic
rakitic modric ibisevic
mandzukic dzeko
What a great shOOT
Kosovo potential starting 11 looks pretty good if you ask me.
http://kosovodiaspora.org/2013/12/06/belgians-create-future-kosovar-dream-team-for-uefa/
@Anonymous……………..what have I said that is negative. Don’t confuse being objective as being negative.
Game wouldn’t be played before the WC. Either way, we will probably play a side that is even worse.
Going off topic here for second. Remeber how we talked about adults playing video games and the loser mentality that brings to people. Below is some video that prefectly explains the “gamers” and the world they live in. Please, for the life of God, do not play video games if you are an adult.
http://deadspin.com/this-hardcore-gamer-is-not-fucking-around-1482704208?autoplay=1
These clowns look exactly like I think they would. Overweight, unshaven neck beards, haven’t touched a girl in years, etc………Do not become this.
Anyways Kosovo isn’t recognize by uefa/fifa yet…although it might happen some time next year
Well Ziva, like you said, he has potential. Let’s hope he steps up during the World Cup, because we are gonna need it.
Ziva Istina why do you always says so many negative things about the Vatreni?
Rather use it to play sides that are ranked a lot higher for better preperation for World Cup
@Bee……….did you just start following soccer a few years ago? Honest question?? Because a suspension or ban is only for official matches and not friendlies. Because if that were the case we could line up 5 friendlies (or whatever the number is) for Simunic’s eventual ban. No, it only counts for official matches.
@Dejan M………..not a waste at all. Playing Kosovo would piss of the serbs. Plus, if Kosovo were allowed to field a national team, they would compete and be very good. They have a ton of outstanding talent throughout Europe.
Why a possible friendly vs Kosovo?! Such a waste!
@ziva
doesnt that mean for what ever he gets, he will sit those games out and not in the WC????????
@Croatia vs. Antwerp……….well, I have not seen it so far in his career, so I really doubt I will see it going forward other than the periodic occasion when it happens (once every six months).
@Dejan M……look at the replay again. Ball was deflecting as soon as Modric kicked it.
@ Bee…..yes, friendly in March and 2 or three in May/June.
he will only get one game, the foul was really not that serious and FIFA knows that a multi game suspension would be active during the World Cup which the whole world knows would be a bull shit call. Now dont we play a friendly or two before the World Cup?
Ziva – yes, I know you can separate emotions better than most and I do agree it would create a topic of discussion for several weeks. with that all said, I think it would be criminal for him to get more than 1. this morning I read a French player received 1 game for a red vs Ukraine…Mandzukic was selfish for that unnecessary foul but it was definitely nothing major!
@ziva
Fair enough…just didn’t get the mandza comment
@ Ziva
“Maybe he doesn’t do it enough because he can’t.” I beg to differ. Just because someone doesn’t do it, doesn’t mean they can’t.
Let’s not worry about him not doing it at Spurs. He has outstanding technique, vision, and dribbling ability–that’s undeniable. He has the ability to step up.
And now, at this point in his career, it’s time to do so–time to leave his mark. As far as the other players you mention. I’m not convinced. They are not on the same level. If anyone is going to do it, it’s Modric.
@Slavonac from Canada………….no, i think it is only worth a one-game suspension, but wouldn’t be shocked if he got 2. I could give him one.
My comment was more to see how some of the people on this board react to certain things. The comedic value of what would be typed on this board and meltdown that would follow if Mandza were to get hit with multiple games would be awesome and a funny read. That is all I meant by that.
@Dejam M…………what is annoying? hearing something that you don’t want to hear? I call that being a good columnist and being able to make people think a bit differently and not always with the homer glasses on. Nothing worng with that.
Ziva – “I almost want to see Mandza get more than a game suspension”
Wtf! There is absolutely no good reasoning behind that
Ziva may say it like it is but honestly it’s annoying as fuck sometimes, especially when you say stuff like that
Deflection?! Not sure what you’re seeing…and no way the goalie gets a hand on that
Ziva – “I almost want to see Mandza get more than a game suspension”
when Mandzukic committed the foul both you and I agreed it was a straight red…although I saw it as a red I didn’t find it to be an extreme foul and therefore find that 1 game would be adequate. are you suggesting Mandzukic deserve’s more than 1? I don’t believe he has a history of red cards, why would you “almost want to see” him get more than 1 game?
Maybe he doesn’t do it enough because he can’t. I think at this point in his career he would be scoring more if he could or had that ability.
Listen, I’m ok with the type of player he is. It’s the others around him on the repka who need to step up their games, not Modric. Imagine if Rakitic could ever replicate his form from the club level.
@ Ziva
“He may have the potential”……”He does not do it enough.”
This is exactly my point. The problem is he doesn’t look to do it enough. He has the ability. And I never said he was our Talisman, only that he provided a glimpse. It’s up to HIM to full fill this role.
Well, based on Modric’s play at Spurs and Madrid, I would say no. He may have the potential, but that is nothing more than wishful thinking right now. We haven’t seen except in very rare instances. If we go by what he has produced since leaving Dinamo, he does not have the ability “to fashion his own opportunities and score goals.” he does not do it enough for me to think he can produce that type of play consistently.
Still a damn good player and great at what he does, but I’m not buying what you are trying to sell.
Deflection or Not, the main point is that Modric has the ability to fashion his own opportunities and score goals! Vatreni are in dire need of a Talisman like that.
I almost want to see Mandza get more than a game suspension just to read the over-the-top commentary that would begin about how FIFA was out to get Cro. And you know damn well some of the homers on this site would be saying that while forgetting the fact we were drawn with Iceland, the easiest possible playoff draw.
It would make for a fun weekend of reading.
Any word on Mandzo suspension?
He should shoot more….remember a few beautiful goals while with spurs and remember that goal at Old Trafford last year against Man U in CL play?
I agree with ziva the keeper had it until the ricochet…. but it’s the right idea, and if he can create his own opportunities with the NT that way then I’m sure more will go in.
I guess it helps when he shoots and the ball is deflected into the goal. Take a look at that replay…..it wasn’t a great shoot, it was a shoot that was deflected and then changes its direction and went into the net.
I just love how Modric doesn’t score much, but when he does score it’s what people talk about for weeks
A couple of days ago I asked who would be Croatia’s Talisman? In our on going quest to find one, it looks as though Modric with this strike provided a glimpse.
It was a stunning individual effort created on his own. Modric needs to score more of these type goals for repka. This was also a strike from outside of the box, where we haven’t been scoring much from.
He has the quality to do it. He should do it more often for Vatreni. A few of those during group play and we just might see “The Return of the Talisman.”