VEDRAN RUNJE
In CSR’s most recent poll; we asked you who should be Croatia’s current starting goalie with Pletikosa being benched for his club team, Spartak Moscow, in recent weeks.
Current French second division goalkeeper, Vedran Runje, won the battle by a reasonable margin taking in 35% of the votes. Runje is 33 years old and has only been capped by Croatia six times; most recently in a meaningless match for Croatia in Euro 2008 group play where he posted a shutout against Poland. Runje has single-handedly helped his club team, Lens, reach the French Ligue 1 for the 2009-10 season. He is currently at the top of his game and like a fine wine- only getting better with age.
STIPE PLETIKOSA
Pletikosa has been the chief between the pipes for Croatia for the past 78 matches. He just recently turned 30 years old but has been slipping as of late. Stipe had one of the worst game’s of his career against England this past September as he let four get by him- a few far, low shots he couldn’t get down on. He has been benched at Spartak Moscow for the past three weeks and his form will be in question when he returns. 24% of the fans still believe in Pletikosa; but are his days as the Croatian #1 over?
MARIO GALINOVIĆ
The 32 year-old Panathinaikos keeper is coming off an incredible Champions League run and has gained much experience in the past year. Galinović has only been capped by Croatia twice since 1999. Even though he has been a permanent backup goalie for Croatia, 25% of voters think it is time for Mario to finally get his shot.
JOEY DIDULICA
Australian born Joey Didulica is 31 years old and is currently playing backup for Dutch champs, AZ. Didulica had a short stint with the Croatian national team from 2004-06 in which he only played in four matches. He had a falling out with the club as he never received any playing time when promised so. 8% of the fans want Joey to suit up for the Ukraine game. I put Didulica in the poll just to give him some love. I never thought someone would actually vote for him.
DANIJEL SUBAŠIĆ
The 24 year-old Hajduk Split keeper is clearly the future for Croatia. The process of becoming Croatia’s #1 is already in the works and will only arrive faster should Subašić transfer to a larger European clubin the summer. He has already been called up for the the national squad as a backup. 8% of Prva Generacija want the ‘young gun’ between the posts for Ukraine. I say: Not yet grasshopper.
So with the Ukraine game one month away and Pletikosa still not playing in Russia, we (including coach Bilić) need to come up with a goalie scenario and a backup plan.
For those of you who voted, CSR most importantly wants to know WHY you voted for that particular goalkeeper. This will be the official ‘Croatian goalie’ post leading up to the battle in Zagreb against Ukraine in June.
A total of 71 members voted in this poll. Thank you Prva Generacija and all!
@Vlad
Once again, I have to agree with you about N kovac, runje and Pletikosa..
Pletikosa has never been a great keeper. He came through for Croatia a few times, never made it anywhere in europe and Spartak Moscow is winning because he is on the bench.
Runje might have goofed on the first goal, however, pletikosa is no Buffon.
N Kovac is greatly missed, this is true. This is why bilic called Juric in hopes of replacing the captain. We dont have any communication what so ever. There isnt one player on the pitch that can do what Niko did for this team..
@Hrvoje
Didulica has quit the team back in 2006 cause he was reseved as a third keeper. Just like Biscan, his Croatian career is over.
@Slaven
'I expected more from Runje, considering the hype.'
there was no hype. runje plays in French second division. He is no Buffon. We just have to face it and realize that Croatia doesnt have anything better. Runje has one decent game and everyone stones him to death. If Simunic didnt duck on that first goal, who knws how the game turns out.
Most importantly, the reason for Croatia's downfall isnt the keeper. We lack the fight, spirit that was Niko Kovac.
I think Pletikosa would have been better in between the pipes because he's proactive and agressive with the volleys in the box from the wings. He goes at the ball when it's booted into his box. He needs to go to a new club so he can be the starting keeper again. I expected more from Runje, considering the hype. In the CSR pre-game warmup videos you can see Pleti go for the ball much faster. Two defensive mistakes from the 1st goal: Corluka for leaving his man wide open and Simunic for ducking the ball. Not too impressed. I play D and I wouldn't even let that sh!t happen.
just my oppinion on this whole goalie debate. I think neither Pletikosa or Runje should be in net. If I had to choose between the two i would go with Runje. The first goal was his fault, the ball was falling in the 5 meter box and a goalie has to pick that one up (that's why simunic ducked as the ball flew in) and as for the second goal no goalie in the world would have saved that one. The second goal was the defence fault. I think the besta goalie we have right now is Didulica and Bilic should go to him and beg him to come back to the national team. We only have 4 games left and we can't loose a single one or even drop a point. As far as Galinovic goes, come on give me a break! If you play in Croatia and you are not good enough to be signed by Dinamo or Hajduk then you are no good.
People on this site are funny a month ago no one wanted pletikosa and know you would think by hearing everyones comments that he's the next buffon, give me a break. He hasent played in over two months, he;s has had his history of bad games for the national team, and even when he has decent games it seems he can never make the big save when we need it, so save me from this stipe is a great goalie.
As for galinovic ya he should get a chance, but he dosent, but to say he plays in a far better league, he plays in greece whats so special, runje plays in france okay seceond division, one year hes whole carreer hes played in the first division, hes played more than one season in championsleague with marsille,
the first goal was more defense fault than his and the seceond the defense again.
Dennis i think we miss niko kovac more than anyone would have thouhgt, especially me, when you mention no one was talking on the field, thats what we mis it wasent nikos football talents, but he would always tell people were to be, put them in their place, orgainize the team like a coach on the field.
First, I can't believe how many of you have centered all the blame on Vedran Runje for the draw. Runje was the only player that communicated on the pitch for Croatia. The only time the rest of the team was communicating was when something went wrong then they would go off on each other. Runje kept the defense well organized for most of the game.
I have always been a fan of Pletikosa, however, a month out of action? this is a no brainer.
There has been no talks of Galinovic, and unless he shuts out a big club in champions league next season, I dont see a Croatian spot for him.
Back to Runje….
Vedran might have been at fault on the first goal for coming out late, however, take a look at Simunic. Joe clearly ducked out the way, making way for Shevchenko to get a free unmarked header.
You guys need to remember that Pletikosa is a fantastic communicator and has been the head of the Croatian defensive nervous system for five years now.
Being a goalie at the international requires you to run the team from the back by earning the respect of your fellow teammates.
Many goals that are scored at this level can’t even be blocked by the best goalie in the world. It becomes a chemistry issue in the end and there is no person better for the job than Pletikosa.
Look what happened when Runje played against Israel in Euro 2008 qualifying when he filled in for an injured Pletikosa. He let 3 goals in and had to b rescued by a fantastic hat trick by Eduardo!
Apparently Tottenham Hotspur wants Stipe and are trying to get him. Stipe wants nthing more than to play in England and nothing would help his career more than a move to England. England has so many world class players and it would help him with shot handling and goalkeeper positioning. I’m not saying he’s the next Peter Cech far from it at age 30 but he can become a better quality keeper that this team is missing. I’d give Galinovic the start he has been great in Greek League and Champions League. Runje has been great too but it’s second league in France not top quality football if you ask me.
no way if stipe cant work for his right spot on the team in russia what makes him better then runje, at least the guy is playing ! and against england stipe should be benched !
I don’t even think Runje should be back honestly never mind starting. Galinovic plays against far greater competition. The Champions League is the most competitive league in the world. Runje is playing against teams like Ajaccio and Dijon. And if you are going to say anything about Stipe’s age then you are mistaken because Runje is three years older than him. Stipe has a good 8 years left in his career while Runje’s career has maybe 4 or 5. To me the decision is a no brainer, Stipe as the starter and let Galinovic and Runje battle out for back up.
runje all the way stipe is washed up !!!!!
Galinovic should play because he had played great both in the Greek league and Champions league. I know these two are no match for the quality of the french second league where runje plays… the only thing that worries me about galinovic is that the greek season is over and i dont know how his match form will be by the ukraine game
Runje for the main reason he is experienced and is playing amazing for his club this year. He deserves a shot for a full-time job as the goalie for Croatia. I love Stipe, but without daily games with his club he will not be ready for the 2nd half of a critical qualifying game that includes England and more importantly Ukraine. Subasic is by far the future of the club, but once he reaches high-tier club and proves himself I won’t jump on him just yet.
as for Pletikosa – he’s recently been on the bench because there’s such stupid thing as foreign players limit in russian football, only 6 foreigners can be playing at the same time. Karpin has explained many times that only the limit is the reason, he’s not anyhow dissatisfied with Stipe. it really sucks but I’m fairly sure he’ll leave in summer