THANKS RONALDO
CSR’s own Ante BBB has jinxed Croatia, not only with Serbia, but with the ‘Group of Death’. Going into the last pot, Group A was the one to avoid. Now Croatia must get past the Serbs in two emotionally driven matches where supporters will undoubtedly be on their worst behavior. Hopefully what happened in Italy with the Serbs doesn’t occur again with Croatia on the road to the World Cup. If beating Serbia wasn’t enough motivation to reach the promised land, Croatia still has to play a tough Belgian side. Macedonia is tricky as they gave us trouble in Euro 2008 qualifying and who knows which Scottish team will show up. They can easily take points from anyone in the group. Along with all that, there will not be any games against Andorra’s or Malta’s this time around. Gareth Bales’ Wales was drawn as the group’s weakest team.
It’s time to saddle up boys and girls. No one said it would be easy.
2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING GROUPS (UEFA)
Pros: Croatia will not go into any of these matches with a chip on their shoulder, especially against Serbia. This could be the qualifying campaign that makes or breaks Croatia in terms of restoring confidence. Who will rise to the occasion?
Cons: It’s scary to think what can happen between Hrvati and Serbi in Zagreb and Beograd. Hopefully everything goes smoothly and no point-deductions or fines are assessed.
It was bound to happen that Croatia and Serbia would be drawn together. This is that time. But imagine the feeling we would all have beating Serbia in Beograd to clinch a World Cup berth and send them home with nothing.
CSR and Ante BBB will see you in Beograd!
COACH BILIĆ APPARENTLY DIDN’T PRAY HARD ENOUGH
Stipe Pletikosa – FC Rostov
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/pletikosa-potpisao-za-rostov-za-700-000-eura-godisnje/564887.aspx
Markovic – Bilic Extension Attempt
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/markovic-ce-traziti-bilica-da-ostane-do-brazila-bit-cemo-prvi-u-skupini-srbija-druga/564885.aspx
Cico: U Brazil s Hrvatskom!
http://www.nogometni-magazin.com/newspro/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EFEkupFFpZNoINoAWV&tmpl=coranto_euro2012
Ziva,
When great minds think alike with the suggestion above, great things can happen. I fully concur which is why I suggested Zadar. If Dugopolje can have a great stadium, why can't Skabrnja? Croatia vs serbia would be the perfect opening. Cetnici couldn't get through if they wanted to.
@Ante….taking from your idea….half joking/half serious here, I think we should start a world-wide effort to build a temporary stadium in Skabrnja for the Cro-Serbia game. Make sure the savez sets a late 2013 date for the game and build that fricken stadium to UEFA/FIFA specs. Every hrvat in the diaspora donate $100 to build it (hell, you can use the money left over from the newspaper ad purchase for Gotovina…by the way, how did that work out, don't see too many people knocking down walls as a result of that ad buy)…..jebiga, i can dream. Put that game in Skabrnja and just watch the serbs shit themselves.
Hell of a weekend everybody, sorry I couldn't get here sooner to comment.
What else is there to say? I personally wanted Serbia and Slovenia. 1 out of 2 isn't bad. It wasn't a jinx. It's time to put on our big boy pants.
In terms of me going to Beograd (or Zagreb), as long as it's not around my wedding in Sept. 2012, then I'd love to go.
Since Zagreb hosted SCG last time, Split should get this game. However, no chance HNS gives this game to Split. If I could be really honest, hold the game in Zadar if at all possible. It's between Zagreb and Split and everybody can meet in the middle but there's no stadium that can host a game like that in Dalmacija besides Poljud.
It's more than a year away. Let's hope scheduling works. Either way..
AJMO HRVATSKA! ZOVI SAMO ZOVI! SVI CE SOKOLOVI! ZA TE ZIVOT DATI!
Being a tall GK has its disadvantages as well. While it may help on crosses, a taller GK takes longer to get down to the ground.
Runje's problem has never been his height. His problem is that he is an average GK.
Iker Casillas is considered to be the best GK in the world and he is under 6 ft tall.
On the flip side, Gianluigi Buffon is probably next best or was for a while and he is tall at 6'3.
It's not about height, its about positioning and stopping shots.
@Denis Svirčić said.
The guy that quoted me. Well done!
Great comment, and please sign in our write in a name at the end of your comment so we can refer to you in the future.
I am edging closer to signing in my friend. When I do I will let you know. Thank you for the positive feedback.
@Denis Svirčić said.
1) I dont see Bilic returning. 1% chance.
a) if Bilic guides croatia to the euro quarters, EPL clubs will be knocking on his door.
b) if Croatia doesnt qualify, no way he returns.
c) The only way he returns is to get a crack at Serbia and if Croatia get ousted in euro group stage.
Excellent points made. Initially I wanted Bilic to go after Euros. If we make the Euros, fingers crossed, I would really like to see him stay for the initial round of qualifiers for WC 2014. The names being tossed around as a replacement are simply not good enough. Although I heard Stimac's name being tossed around the other day. What do you think of him as a replacement? I will say this, nobody pushed him around back in the day! I would like to see some of that attitude instilled in our boys! We need it. I have no idea about his technical vision that being said.
@Denis Svirčić said.
Just my thoughts.
2) Olic still has a shot for the world cup. It all depends on his conditioning, and if his speed is still there, I could see him coming off the bench,.
3) Simunic is done after this euro at the latest.
4) Croatian goalie? We never had one. No one plays goalie in Croatia. Croatia will never have a goalie. 🙂
Olic – if he can still contribute and is firing on pretty much all cylinders we need his speed. The Serb defense is slow. Tough, but slow.
Simunic – I though he was amazing in the friendly we had with France. We need some height againt other teams on defense as well. The Serbs will be looking to score mostly from from set pieces or corners against us as their strike force is not up to snuff.
Croatian Goalie – LOL ! We need one of those! You mentioned Goran Blažević in the past. The guy sure has the height. Any potential going forward?
On a side note, maybe this group is what we need to get rid of the Euro 2008/Turkey game hangover? Winning this group would make us very strong mentally!
Hi ho, hi ho, it's back to work I go! lol
@Ziva,
I disagree with you on "there is no payback". Some of the players might take this as any other game as they are more concerned about their footballing careers. However, I would like to believe that a good 80% or so will not treat this as just a game.
Yes it was 14 years ago, but the memory of Croatia eliminated at Maksimir will never be forgotten.
I wonder what the reaction was from the players.
@anonymous,
The guy that quoted me. Well done!
Great comment, and please sign in our write in a name at the end of your comment so we can refer to you in the future.
1) I dont see Bilic returning. 1% chance.
a) if Bilic guides croatia to the euro quarters, EPL clubs will be knocking on his door.
b) if Croatia doesnt qualify, no way he returns.
c) The only way he returns is to get a crack at Serbia and if Croatia get ousted in euro group stage.
Just my thoughts.
2) Olic still has a shot for the world cup. It all depends on his conditioning, and if his speed is still there, I could see him coming off the bench,.
3) Simunic is done after this euro at the latest.
4) Croatian goalie? We never had one. No one plays goalie in Croatia. Croatia will never have a goalie. 🙂
@hamilcar,
"when it's nation vs nation, one never forgets!"
solid comment. Like I said before, you bring good stuff to the table.
payback will always be on the agenda, it doesnt matter how long a time has passed. A recent example would be the germany vs england round of 16 clash at the last world cup in south africa, when frank lampard's goal was dissalowed, and germany went on to win easy. Right after the match was played out, they got an interview from muller, and the first thing he said, regarding lampard's non"goal" was "maybe that was payback for the "66" world cup" when germanys goal was dissalowed. Now im sure none of those players were involved in the 66 world cup, but yet muller was well aware of the incident regarding said world cup. The point im trying to make is even if those players were not invloved in the previous matches, they surely would be thinking about it, and knowing full well the media and football public are likey to draw comparisons with the two football rivalries.
@ziva istina said.
Hell, you should have seen us who were at the game and got to witness the serbs celebrate on the field…..
For the record, I was at the game as well. Thank you very much.
but, payback for who?????? For Croatia as Hamilcar stated very nicely above.
You are not playing. It sure is not payback for you. This game will eventually be played by guys who were not on the field that day.
What a brilliant deduction. I am not playing so therefore it cannot be payback for one team to get another team back that beat that team once before since I am not on the field playing. So that covers the reasoning for me not to be able to call this payback! Wow, that is great strategic reasoning right there. By that rationale I have to play in the all the leagues at the same time, on a professinal and national level, the NHL, NFL, MLB, UEFA, or any other league to be able to make the point that it is now payback for us to get our backs again and to make our country proud or team for that matter. Wow, that is just some great logic right there!
For the record, it is payback for me. I am Croatian and I want them to return the favour and win these games for us. This is the last I will touch upon this as the game is still quite a few months away and we all must remain calm. At least I need to. 🙂
@Ziva Istina, you said: "I think when neutrals look at the worthless world rankings they have to be asking themselves how the hell Croatia is in the top 10."
Answer the question!
So then who would you rank ahead of Croatia from the teams that are below them in the rankings?
@Ziva, payback for Croatia – it's not like the all the players on both sides don't know about the history between Croatia and Serbia (especially on the pitch). This isn't club vs club whereby of course just a few years practically erases the memory; when it's nation vs nation, one never forgets!
Hell, you should have seen us who were at the game and got to witness the serbs celebrate on the field…..
but, payback for who??????
You are not playing. It sure is not payback for you. This game will eventually be played by guys who were not on the field that day.
@ziva istina said
Payback?????? We last played in 1999. It will be either 13 or 14 years when we play them again. We won't have one player on that field who played against them in 1999. There is no payback.
I will never forget that Saturday on October 9th 1999 when I had to watch another team celebrate on our turf because they just knocked us out of Euro 2000. Please do not tell me that this is not a payback because I assure you that it is!!!!!
Damn, i knew we would draw with the serbs, i just knew it. The whole fifa seedings are totally rigged man. Norway, solvenija, swiss or albania have an almighty chance of getting to the world cup. That is complete bullshit! and the greeks again placed in a piss easy group third time running.
And croatia supposedly in pot 1 gets handed a draw like that, you couldnt fix a harder group. This really feels like some nightmare i just dreamt up. I just feel a long tournament drought is in croatia's cards, with nothing to hold on to but the golden generatian of "98" just like bulgaria and romania do about their golden boys of "94". The football gods have dealt croatia another dirty blow.
Payback?????? We last played in 1999. It will be either 13 or 14 years when we play them again. We won't have one player on that field who played against them in 1999. There is no payback.
answers to your questions…….
Bilic will not be the coach. Leading choices to replace him will be Ivankovic and Kranjcar. If somehow we have a great showing at the Euros, Asanovic's name will be mentioned as well.
@Brazil Anti……I got nothing against the Brazilian-born hrvat.
Olic will be gone from the repka after 2012.
Simunic will be gone from the repka after 2012.
Goalie????? Long time before WC qualifiers begin.
We could have done much better on the draw without any doubt!
However,
Denis Svirčić said..
Just like for World Cup 2010… some of you wanted England… you got England… now some of you wanted Serbia… you have Serbia..
There is no way that I wanted to play England after we knocked them out of Euro 2008!!!!! Not in a million years! I know some people wanted that to happen, but when i saw that we drew them again i thought i was going to be sick. Something to take from that to help us though is how England used the revenge as motivation against us! That is what we need to do against the Serbs. There is no other way!
This is a tough draw, there is no doubt. But I still think we can control our destiny here. I feel alot better than I did after the World Cup 2010 draw.
Few questions though:
1 – Does Bilic stick around after Euros? If not, who replaces him. (this could be scarey – now i kinda want to see him stick around.)
2 – Does Olic stick around after Euros? (would like to see him come back if he is still playing up to par.) – his speed kills.
3 – Simunic going to continue?
4 – Who plays goalie?
The game against the Serbs will probably be played in Zagreb. Depending on the date I think i will go! 🙂 Payback is the way to go here!
Goal.com has Belgium topping the group.
Goal.com link
Some of you don't understand the difference between:
"being scared about this group"
vs.
"not wanting this group"
For those of you that feel this is an easy group for Croatia…
Out of 9 groups, give me an easier group. I dont see one.
Maybe we do need that #2 seed, as the #1 pot hasnt been lucky for us.
I predict Croatia finishing with 4 draws. This will be a very interesting group. Every goal will count.
Cant wait for the schedule to come out. Croatia-Serbia would be epic in Zagrebbbbb errr… Split
me personally, im more worried about Belgium then Serbia…have you seen Belgiums squad…its class and all still young….Lukaku, Hazard, Varmaelen, Fellani, Kompany, just to name a few…and by the time the qualifiers come around…their young guns such as lukaku and hazard will be peaking…i fear the worst for the vatreni 🙁
well Rakitic and Klasnic were born to Croatian parents while Eduardo wasn't, there is a difference.
@Ziva Istina,
I like Eduardo too, he's done alot for our NT no doubt; but jeeeze can you please get off his nuts?! It's like he's your little beloved colored companion.
And the fact you always call him the "brazilian born hrvat" shows how hard you try to legitimize his croatian status; as I notice you never call Rakitic the swiss born hrvat or Klasnic the german born hrvat, etc.
ziva istina "I think when neutrals look at the worthless world rankings they have to be asking themselves how the hell Croatia is in the top 10."
——————————
So then who would you rank ahead of Croatia from the teams that are below them in the rankings?
ziva istina said.
Olic will not be playing for the repka for the 2014 WC cycle
Is that confirmed? I heard he was thinking about calling it quits after the Euro's but did he point blank say for sure? Maybe he will stick around considering?
Great point about Eduardo and his pace.
I agree with those comments on Vidic……but, I big IF…..Olic will not be playing for the repka for the 2014 WC cycle and the brazilianborn hrvat is not fast. What he is good at is his pace with the ball. Many players slow down when they have the ball, but the brazilian-born hrvat excels with the ball at his feet.
@ziva istina said
Maybe…..but that defender for Georgia is no Vidic.
Vidic's only weakness is one-on-one with smaller, faster players. Saying Vidic stinks because Messi burned him is funny……Messi makes everyone look bad.
Eduardo is a smaller faster player. Olic is a fast player. Olic burned him in the Champions League a couple of years ago as well.
I never ever said that Vidic stinks. I said he was over rated. So is Messi. In 5 games for Argentina in WC 2010 he had 0 goals. In 4 games in the recent Copa America tournament he had 0 goals. This is the best player in the world!?!?!? He is awesome, there is no doubt but come on now!
Vidic is not the same player he is on Man U as he is on the Serb football team. He was awful in WC 2010!
Maybe…..but that defender for Georgia is no Vidic.
Vidic's only weakness is one-on-one with smaller, faster players. Saying Vidic stinks because Messi burned him is funny……Messi makes everyone look bad.
@ziva istina said
I think when neutrals look at the worthless world rankings they have to be asking themselves how the hell Croatia is in the top 10.
A better question would be how the hell is Norway 12th and Greece 13th!
Eduardo has still got the goods. We need him going forward. For as long as possible. Probably will not be the player he could have been, but it was all him that setup the go ahead goal in our last game against Georgia. He is still a good enough player to make Vidic look silly!
@Allen19…….we've been waiting 3 plus years for the brazilian-born hrvat to get his "magic" back. It ain't happening at this point.
There is so much time before this cycle starts and at least 13 months before we play our first game. Plenty of time for things to happen, progress or change.
I think we will be OK, but if I am Belgium and Serbia, I would also like my chances.
I think when neutrals look at the worthless world rankings they have to be asking themselves how the hell Croatia is in the top 10.
@Allen19 – I will create a name soon and I will let you know it is me. Too many things going on the system right now but I will create a login soon.
Why is it that when the Serbs drew us in the group they got all fired up and happy that they drew us?
Well, let's make them wish it never happened! I really really like the team we have assembled right now, my only issues are goaltending and who will be our head coach come WC 2014 qualifiers?
Everyone just has to take a collective breath. We can do this thing and we will! 🙂
stay on the site*
Hey Mr.Anonymous, please make a name and stay on this post. Although I think Vidic is dominant, he can be out paced by quicker strikers but he's so powerful. Maybe Eduardo can get his magic back, but please let's not make Serbia into world beaters. They have been pretty poor in WC qualifiers and even in World Cup they were lucky to escape against a ten man Germany team. They lost to a pretty bad Australia team (coming from a guy who's Australian, yes that's me) and Ghana. Billc prayed enough, no Russia and no France is fine by me.
@Allen19
Great observation!!!!!!
Baring injuries, we will win this group! We have depth at midfield, a far superior midfield to the Serbs. Way better strikers!
Our defense is just a tad below if you ask me. Aleksandar Kolarov is vastly over rated, and for my money so is Vidić and Branislav Ivanović. I did not say they were not good players, as they are that is for sure, but over rated. Take a look at what Eto and Messi do to Vidic. He was horrible @ World Cup 2010 as well! When he does not have his buddies at Man U helping him out he is lost.
We owe them one !!!!!!!!!!!!!
U Boj U Boj Za Narod Svoj
Wow look at you guys crying over the draw, well most. What happened to having pride in your team and faith? Faith ah yes there it is, the Billc nightmare will be done soon. I am not scared at this group one bit. I like to see Gareth Bale make a Wales appearance for a big game, because I think he may have played in two Euro qualifying games. I am not worried about him. Macedonia is currently a wreck big deal. Scotland is nothing special, they have a few decent guys like Adam and Commons but no big deal. Belgium is somewhat of a threat, but once again no player strikes fear. Fellani, Kompany, Venlemen, Hazard yeah good talent but whatever happened to FAITH. As for the Serbs, bring those bastards on. They have no strikers to speak of, I doubt Staknovic is back. So they got a brick wall defensively, it looks like will have to take some bomb shots which are fun. Korolov is so overrated, don't even speak of him as a great defender. If he was so good, why did Mancini just pay 27 million for Clichy. Other three are top class, Korolov is a walking punchline. Be happy Croatia avoided the likes of Russia and France, teams that can dismantle Croatia into pieces. Yeah fine Slovakia or Denmark would be a treat, but I am so looking forward to playing Serbia. If they win, god help Croatia we will brag forever. BRING IT ON!!!!
strikers is the weakest part of the Serbian team…off the top of my head: Zigic, Pantelic, Lazovic, Sulejmani, Mrdja
Serbia are like us in many ways, not really a deep squad, somewhat overrate themselves, both have problems in goal. Only Serbia are much more secure in defense while Croatia will have to say goodbye to Simunic by these qualifiers
I'm happy that they view us as underdogs. I'd rather our team have that in the back of their head so they go into the games with something to prove.
I'm too lazy to look. Who are Serbia's strikers?
What the Serbian coach said is nothing to be taken seriously, just a short-lived self-praise comment. The football feet will do the talking. Even though Croatia took a surprising loss against Georgia, Serbia has done likewise against Estonia and South Korea.
Croatia's group is a bit tricky, since the power of the teams are almost equally spread out. I would not call this "The Group of Death" (I think the last group is, in fact, one), and Croatia has a very good chance of qualifying first if they keep their heads together.
Another good thing about this group for me is that the Scotland & Whales games will probably all be shown on the TV (FSC) cos they british, = croatia games on TV, which is rare – kinda like seeing half time monday night football highlights of my team with Howard Cosell narrorating when I was a kid, or watching 'This Week in Baseball' and seeing highlights of teams and players (I never saw on TV) when I was a kid with Mel Allan narrorating.
This has to be one of the most intriguing groups ever: you have 3 nations that were part of a former country; 2 nations that are part of a current country; & then Belgium home of the monstrous "multicultural" European Union. Multiculturalism just like everywhere else before it, didn't work for Yugoslavia, the Scots & Welsh can't be happy with the English Elite's Grand multicultural (i.e. multiracial) experiment in Great Britain, and Belgium (which is largely French, largely Dutch, a large non-white minority, and a small German minority guarding the eastern passage).
Croatia, Serbia, Scotland & Whales were named after their people. Whereas Macedonia is named after an ancient peoples who do not exist anymore as a sovereign nation; & I believe the same can be said for Belgium who are named after the old Belgic tribe.
It should be an interesting qualifying hopefully History repeats itself and we go through to the World Cup and Croatia stays behind. I first hope the fans from both sides behave responsible, there is nothing worse then matches canceled or matches played without fans or other fines, regardless of our matches Belgium Scotland Wales and Macedonia can take points away so every game will be huge.
The Serbian coach has a point. Since 2008, our team has achieved: not qualifying for WC2010, and losing to Georgia in a qualifier. They on the other hand beat a very strong German team at the WC.
It would be great to beat them but let's not pretend the odds are in favour of us qualifying. We just don't grind out the important results away to the small teams.
I know the FIFA rankings aren't produced by god; however, I'm sure they take great care in producing the most accurate picture they can. And if you go by said rankings and W.C. results, then Europe should have more than 13 teams make the W.C. Of course, "diversity" & "multiculturalism" are more important than merit. It's affirmative action at its finest (i.e. lowest).
Ano at 6:28PM, 7/30/11: "You gotta beat good competition to get into the cup"
————————-
That's simply not true; Being one of 3 or 4 teams in Concacaf to make it does not require you to "beat good competition to make the cup". Even tho So. America has good teams, there's only a few countries and almost half make it so you don't necessarily have to "beat good competition to make the cup". Africa & especially Asia have teams who make it who were not really required to "beat good competition to make the cup". Therefore, Croatia is not just the top seed of the most difficult group in Europe, they are top seed in the toughest group in the world.
Serbia has a world class defence in subotic vidic ivanovic kolorov.
Belgium has greats talents in team who may all turn out to be stars in 2013 onwards.
I still remember croatia lost to macedonia in euro 2008 qualifiers.
and draw with scotland too.
I really wonder who can replace simunic, petric, olic, pletikosa, dujimov, klasnic in 2 years time..
What the Serb coach said is correct. Nobody is going to fear playing Croatia. We r respected but not feared.
What the Serb coach said is correct. Nobody is going to fear playing Croatia. We r respected but not feared.
serbian team sucks, like greece and ukraine, and all the other team that can win on luck or playing like bunker against croatia.
Quote from the Serbian coach.. "Serbia is the only team in our quartet to have reached the 2010 finals in South Africa and hence we will start as favorites."
Serbians already beginning to play down the Croatian team.
i live in belgium so how do i have to feel about this drawn, belgium has the best team in years look a there players ( vermaelen, company, lukaku, hazard, dembele …) but i hope they can get both qualified.
my worst nightmare would be serbia and scotland in top 2 of this group :s
it doesnt look good for croatia but i hope the best.
Serbia has a great defense, so that will have to be dismantled. Hopefully someone in the EPL breaks their legs before qualifying, seems to happen to us every damn time.
Here's my prediction, the S is going to hit the fan at those games.
I say they go gladiator and give the players knives. The last team standing wins. 🙂
Viva Eduardo. Just in spite of anyone who thinks that way, Eduardo needs to first score goals, then stamp his name on a Serbs face. That will leave his name in history then.
@ Mysterion,
I take it you're a South Park fan, no?
And you also must be from Pedro.
As for Serbia, I am not one bit scared of them on the field. After talking to Kranjcar and us being 16 years removed from the war, these guys are professional and will keep it pro on the field. Remember, Kranjcar pays for himself and a paycheck. He will play the 90 minutes vs. Serbia, get on a plane and open the door to his mansion in London, Spain, Italy, wherever he is.
Serbia bunkers anyways and haven't had a great scoring record anyways. As long as out players don't get emotional and stay logical when the serb press starts pushing buttons, we'll be ok. We always play Belgium well for some reason as well.
It's the fan situation I'm worried about. I don't want games suspended, fines given or people killed.
The Serbia games are months away. We can talk about it through the weekend and then should concentrate on the next 5 games. Until the WC qualifying schedule is released, we shouldn't talk.
This is what I will be looking for when we do play them and Edurdo is on the field. You know some super-serb player will start talking smack to Eduardo and say he's not a True Croatian and will start pushing his buttons.
Should Dude retaliate and stand up for himself, Croatian legenda forever!!! I would take that red card and suspension any day. He would stamp his name in Croatian history forever. Thoughts?
I feel a scandal article coming up a la King Bronk.
Good group. I think we should definitely be afraid of Belgium, and the other teams aren't going to be a walk in the park(like the past). I think we should finish first without question though. Serbia is obviously going to be a passionate match, but it's a long ways away. Therefore, I'm going to worry more about the present than the future. I think our young talent just needs to grow a bit more, and our team chem needs to get better. Luckily, we have a long ways away until qualifying. By that time Perisic, Jelavic will be more comfortable… Modric and Kranjcar will be our seasoned vets, we may have an answer for our keeper problem, and our defense is bound to get much better.
One Euro is over and we get a new coach, we'll see where the wind takes the team.
Seriously, wtf is wrong with u guys. I am happy with the group. You gotta beat good competition to get into the cup, so be it. Serbs suck, wtf have they done in any major tourney? Fuckin bunker defense, with no offense.
Za dom
Bilic is not staying after Euro 2012, even if we win it. He is done at that point. Makes no sense to have the same coach for a third qualifying cycle.
I am not too concerned about the serbs on the field, recent history has shown they will drop points. I am more concerned about off the field issues.
I am more worried about Belgium. They have plenty of talented youth players and we will see if they can transfer their potential to the senior side.
As for the games with the serbs……first, the schedule will be announced in a few months after all the federations sit down and try to figure it out.
Unless there are crowd issues between now and when we play the serbs, the game will not be in a neutral site and not behind close doors. The serbs have already served their penalty for what they did in Italy. The games will be played in each team's venue of choice, but with no visiting fans allowed to attend as an organized group…..meaning no tickets will be given to the HNS to sell to cro fans (usually 5-10% of tickets go to the visiting team). If you want to go, you can get tickets like any other fan in serbia and take your chances that way. Same goes for ZG or Split (depending where they play), no tickets will be given to the serb federation. The two federations will agree to this, 100% guarenteed.
Either way, we are 13-16 months away from playing the serbs. Plenty of time between now and then.
Bilic is I think is leaving no matter what happens at Euro 2012, come on even if Croatia win it I think its time to move on, the NT needs something fresh
Though, with Mamic essentially in charge of the HNS, the next manager will be one of his puppets (Jurcic, Ivankovic, Loncarevic, possibly Kuze)
About the draw, nervous about it now but in reality these games are a year away. They need to fully focus on the Euro 2012 qualifying.
It will be interesting to see how Croatia do against Republic of Ireland, a team similar, maybe a little better than Scotland and Wales
I might be in the minority but I personally never want to play Serbia at any sport, not worth it and too many silly things happen. Belgium is a country which has great talents on paper. Scotland play a very direct style and are tough in Glasgow. Wales have Bale, Macedonia is a poor team but ex-YU sides always wake up for Croatia
not the best group set-up but its really not that bad. none of these teams are doing great in euro 2012 qualifying so we shouldn't be scared of anyone. i do like the fact that there are no "easy" games (i.e. san marino, andorra). hopefully, it toughens the boys up and makes them sharp!
as for bilic, i think the only way he stays for wc 2014 is if the boys do REAL well in euro 2012 and he wants to stay to finish the job at a world cup. otherwise, he is gone for a club job.
csr, love the site. keep it up!
I would rather play the Serbs than Holland, Spain, Portugal, England, Italy, Germany or France. We have to keep everything in perspective. It is not going to be easy that is for sure. But if we play the way we know how to play we will be fine.
Besides, we owe them one! 🙂
id rather play france then the serbs…great another world cup were gna miss…who do you think will be coach?m if bilic has a good euro 2012 campaign rkn he will re-sign?
Hey little shit Kvartuc.
Nice article but why so scared of the Serbs? We're going to go in there and smash on them just like we did with Gotovina. what's wrong with you people?
This will be the first time in a while where Cro doesn't come into games scared. I agree with you on that.
ZA DOM!
Was part of the Chicago crew who were there for that October match in '99 vs Yugo (still a shock we finished 3rd in the group behind yugo and the irish). Needed one more goal to progress.
Still the most electricfying match I've ever been to.
It will be 14 years from that date til the qualifiers vs the serbs… man, time goes by. getting old.
fuck the world cup LOL….qualifying will be better…AJMO VATRENI!
@ Croat,
It's nice to see foreign interest in Croatia but whatever Sven touches goes to shit. He did a great job at Mexico, right? I think they booted him out of there before he learned how to say 'No hay tiempo para mas!"
Que lastima!
Im not sure if you guys and girls have seen this but Eriksson wants to coach Croatia LOL!
http://www.tportal.hr/sport/nogomet/141088/Eriksson-Htio-bih-voditi-hrvatsku-rprezentaciju.html
Anyone know when the schedule will be released?
Its not the toughest group but its still a pain in the ass.
I know some will differ but I personally never want to play Serbia in sports. Belgium is a young team who if they develop properly at their clubs could be a dangerous team. Scotland, Wales and Macedonia aren't great teams but they can provide problems at their places.
Don't know what to think, these games are still one year away and many things will change in that time (coach, certain players), but I think it will be a make or break group. If Croatia fail to qualify for WC 2014 (and God forbid EC 2012), they will struggle to be in the top 15 in FIFA and they will eventually lose their status as seeds in future draws.
Scotland, Wales Im not worried about.
Im just wondering how FIFA and the governments will handle the matches. Will they ban away support? Maybe closed doors? Or will they open the doors.
@anonymous,
New website is coming. Could be as early as Friday. Right now I am categorizing and tagging 1,000 posts. We want to have everything running smooth before we launch. Almost there. No "BS" from me.
Ante B is probably already there and preparing for that match.
@Denis Svirčić
I was thinking "all we have to do is avoid pot A, all we have to do is avoid pot A, all we have to do is avoid pot A, all we have to do is avoid pot A,all we have to do is avoid pot A……"
Exactly what I was thinking Denis!
Our group is very very tough! I hope we come prepard and fired up!
Trying to stay focused!
U Boj U Boj Za Narod Svoj!
wth happen to the new csr site that was happening? was that all bs? thought we where getting a new site?
Lets see if Ante B goes to Beograd
I was thinking "all we have to do is avoid pot A, all we have to do is avoid pot A, all we have to do is avoid pot A, all we have to do is avoid pot A,all we have to do is avoid pot A……"
Just like for World Cup 2010… some of you wanted England… you got England… now some of you wanted Serbia… you have Serbia..
some of you wanted… "no easy games"… rest assured that there are no easy games in this group.
Group A is without a doubt the most balanced group in Europe.
Ireland, Israel, Belarus, and Austria got screwed.
how about this?
1) Slovenia, Norway, or Swiss will be in the world cup
2) Greece, Slovakia, or Bosna will be in the world cup
hahah will they be allowing that? What the fuck…
haha who's going to Belgrade?
Well, this will be fun.
Closed doors match, no traveling allowed is my guess.
We need to rock serbia
Gotta be kidding me!!!!
How bout that chic in the green dress when you click on the FIFA link above?….mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…..I hear most white brazilians guard their racial blood lines MILITANTLY!
Well, while we wait…
Corluka scored in a friendly today, Kranjcar scored yesterday
Jelavic got on the board for the 1st time this season today
Ilicevic and Petric scored in the DFB Pokal
http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=124591&part=sports
its in french but good picture
http://real-tv-sport.com/channel-6.php
Thanks Zach. Got the picture in picture going with SkySports. But Blatter won't shut up on the other feed…just draw the balls already!
Thanks Zach!
this stream works if the atdhenet.tv one stays offline. Dont be alarmed by the url.
http://nutjob.eu/
http://www.thelocal.de/sport/20110706-36103.html
Will we have Slaven BIlic in this Wolrd Cup qualifiers?
This is my prediction for Croatia's Group: Sweden, Bosna, N.Ireland, Finland, Andorra
Hahah! I love how no team wants Pletikosa yet he keeps getting called up for Cro…pathetic
for fuck sakes…are you serious about pletikosa…mad one, two keepers without a club thats pretty good
@Mysterion,
I agree. Even though he's a Hajdukovac, I was never big on Pletikosa. He has an advantage of Runje because of his length. However, Runje is far more athletic. Croatian keeper situation has never been worse. I say we give Blazevic the start against Ireland.
@Franjo,
I'm not a fan of "previews". maybe thats just me, but I never read previews. We will watch Croatia-Saudi Arabia if there is a feed on Sunday and we will report on this.
Also, feel free to email us a preview if you'd like.
AZ,
Dude, this video was made four years ago. What has Pleti done lately…
Exactly.
This goes back to what Ziva always talks about. Would you rather sit and collect or play for less. Now Pleti has none of the above. Can we get a hold of his business manger? Chumps.
I dont understand why celtic does not want pletikosa.. If you watch this video clip on pletikosa saves during his season at spartak, you will want him for sure…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x_lq4U647Q&feature=related
Guys:
1) If we're struggling in the current European qualifier and have no one who can score…I don't know if at this point we should care who is going to be in our group….as long as it's not Brazil 🙂
2) I was watching that '99 Euro qualifier in a club in NJ. When Jarni's balls were punched, the place went wild. I'm sure that even the Serbian fans thought they were done when that red card came out….especially after we tied the game at 2-2 so early in the half. After that, we did squat.
@Denis,
1) That's the first time I've heard such a rumor that Hrvatska and Yugo would want to "fix" a tie for both games. The first game had the lights go out and was not well played. In that last game, Croatia knew they needed a win to advance.
2) Tomorrow Croatia plays their opening game in the Under 20 World Cup against Saudi Arabia, so I was hoping to see an article on the home page. You guys are slipping 😉
@ Denis,
Pulp Fiction homie. C'mon. Will you send we the shirt or should I just pick it up since you live 8 blocks away?
I want to qualify, and I want qualification to be tough…at least on paper. In the past few cycles, we haven't been able to defeat Ukraine or Russia in 4 games. Three 0-0 draws and one 2-2 draw at Maksimir.
I know we're no world-beaters but we all know how we play against the big boys. I wouldn't mind France. I really wouldn't. It would sharpen our psyche a bit.
I would much rather get France out of Pot 2 than the Swiss out of 3. Thats the Group of Death.
Bring on the Irish!!! We haven't had a piece of them in awhile…
However, an England/Ireland group would be entertaining.
@Goldenchild,
I agree with your philosophy of "We already won mentality", however, at this point, I would rather face Andorra ten times to qualify for the world cup. It would be a shame for Croatia to miss back to back world cups.
@Anonymous,
Yes, Niko Kranjcar is balling it up for Tottenham. However, the opposition is equivalent to my Saturday Pub team. I'm not saying lets not get excited, I'm just saying "lets not start sucking each others dicks quite yet"(First one to tell me from what movie thats from gets a free CroatianSports shirt).
Kalinic to Dnipro is huge. Good $$$, decent league. A year or two in Ukraine will grow him up. In the end, Nikola should transfer to the Bundesliga. Besides a couple of players, the Bundesliga welcome Croats with open arms.
fourth division RasenBallsport Leipzig knocked out Wolfsburg in the first round of the German Cup 3-2. What a terrible start of the season for Lakic-Mandzukic
Yes, Pletikosa is a free man once again.
Pletikosa was heartbroken yesterday as he jetted back to Croatia to be reunited with his family.
He told SunSport: "This is a big disappointment for me. I really wanted to play for Celtic. But I think now it was my big mistake that I agreed to stay more than three days and played two games.
"I broke my contract with Spartak Moscow, which was worth a lot of money, because I felt it would help me play for Celtic.
"I was also prepared to accept a wage three times less.
"But now I have to find a club elsewhere.
"I felt I deserved to get a contract. I'm sure I would've been a very good goalkeeper for Celtic."
SunSport understands Pletikosa, 32, earned one million euros a year net plus bonuses in Moscow.
Who should start against Ireland? Both Runje and Pletikosa are without clubs.
Celtic will not sign Pletikosa
As for the groups, I don't want any ex-YU teams, even Macedonia gave us problems in the Euro 2008 qualies. Only one I would consider is Slovenia.
I think Pot 3 is more difficult than Pot 2 (minus France)
I hope we get a fairly tough group. Give us Turkey, and make it a must win to get into the WC. Would be a good test, some redemption, and a hell of a way to start.
We get an easy group we have the "We already won mentality", sloppily make it to the WC, and won't make it out of the group stage.
Ziva,
Was our favorite Dalmatinac in NYC (born in Rijeka) with you? And I know you know who I'm talking about. If so, that must've been a riot.
guys niko kranjcar is buzzing in pre season!! his scoring wonder goals every game his playing in for the spurs XI….if he dosnt get sold, he really is sending a msg to Arry….but we all now Arry, he has his favourites 🙁
and blackburn accepted a 3M bid for kalinic from dinipro
@Ziva Istina,
Yes, you are right. It was Mirkovic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBa_pX5p-lA
Video, for those of you that dont remember or were too young to remember.
It's sad to see Croatians fighting Croatians but a good amount of locals were pro communism and looking to pick fights with the diaspora. From my experiences many locals weren't very welcoming
@Denis…..I thought it was Zoran Mirkovic, not Milosevic.
@Ante….I am sure some guys from Chicago were part of our crowd during that weekend, but there was a large mix of us from N. America.
It wasn't all fun and games that weekend. One guy (i think from Canada) died the night before the game as a result of bar fight. If I remember correctly, there was a fight between the locals and guys from the diaspora. Some of the boys from the diaspora were flashing their money around and singing ustase tunes, which pissed off many of the locals. The war ended only 4 years before and many of the locals were getting into it with the diaspora by telling them they had no right singing those songs, where were you cowards during the war, and other similiar statements.
Ziva,
Were you with the guys from Chicago? I heard a similar story from some buddies from mine who are from there and went to ZG.
I'm with Ante on this one. It would be super to see any combination of Yugo teams face each other.
@Ante B, Ziva istina
I would be up for a trip to Ljubljana or Podgorica but not Beograd.
Ziva, interesting Boban story. I was in Sibenik during that match, grandpas funeral. First time Croatia failed to make a tournament. I was planing to make a trip to Zagreb for the match, then I thought it would be disrespectful days after the funeral. Also, I wasnt in the mood for celebration even if Croatia were to qualify. October was dark month for me that year.
What are your thoughts on Cro-Yugo matches being fixed as 2 draws? I heard rumors that both of those matches have been set up as draws.
@Ziva,
How was the atmosphere like after Savo Milosevic was escorted out after bimbo checking Jarni?
Unless we don't qualify…..I was at Maksimir on that Saturday night in 99 when we tied them and were eliminated from Euro 2000.
If we would have won it would have been a night to remember. Instead, because of the earlier start time, I was on the sofa sleeiping by 11 pm. First and only time I have ever gone to bed before midnight on a weekend in ZG.
Although I did miss some comedy that night. For those of you who know ZG, I am sure you have been to Saloon nightclub. Well, my freinds went to Saloon that night and ran into Boban. Boban was injured and did not play that game. While most were star struck at Boban, these two were so drunk that they started yelling at Boban for not playing and allowing the serbs to come into ZG and knock us out.
If we could just take off our skirts for a second…
When I say tough, I meant specifically what you said…"matches against former Yugo teams are not against 'tough' teams, but tough teams for Croatia because of history and politics"
The atmosphere would be…incredible. I would definitely go to that even before my wedding if need be. I was 17 last time Croatia played Yug/SCG/Serbia, but now I'm older, make more money and could do it, I'm there.
I want the ex Yugo teams, bad.
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
@Ante B,
matches against former Yugo teams are not against "tough" teams, but tough teams for Croatia because of history and politics. A Bosna/serbia/Macedonia/Slovenia will be extra motivated to face us. Also, both sides will have butterflies in their bellies. Did I fail to mention the atmosphere at the games? Cetnik flags, Ustase flags, Vatican flags, etc etc. Chance of suspensions and fines from FIFA/UEFA? These are all high pressure matches against mediocre teams that would be better for Croatia to avoid.
I would rather face France than Serbia, not because I am scared of Serbia, but because of the above.
I, however, want:
Serbia
Bosna
Albania
Macedonia
San Marino
Let the boys earn their bj's for once by qualifying with some tough teams. Seperate the men from the boys.
@Andrej,
Wow, we posted the same just minutes apart. 🙂
I do want to avoid all Yugo countries, however, I wouldnt mind Slovenia. They have been talking all this shit the last few years or so. Time to put them in their place.
"The gaps have closed and a lot of teams can do damage to the big boys now days."
I agree.
I am shooting for: Slovenia, Belarus, N. Ireland, Estonia, and Malta
My prediction: Slovakia, Ireland, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Iceland.
As long as we avoid the former Yugo countries and France I'll be happy.
We already avoided all the European powers that are in pot 1
I don't want any ex-yugo teams and I don't want France. Yes, we can beat anyone but I would prefer to avoid that route by all means. I honestly think "shit" would hit the fan if we drew BiH or Serbia or even Slovenia.
My biggest fear is points deductions for these matches as you know what the fans are going to do and its 100% that there will be a fine and plus whatever they want to do from there!
I wouldn't mind avoiding Russia as well. To be honest there is a lot of strong teams in every pot and if we deserve to make it to WC than we will and if not…then oh well.
I mean you look at pot 4 and you have Romania, Scotland, Austria, and Poland…none of those teams are weak…maybe not the strongest they have been but for pot 4….they are not weak by any means. Europe just has a lot of talented teams. The gaps have closed and a lot of teams can do damage to the big boys now days.
If I had to choose a group it would be: Slovakia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Faroe Island, San Marino
No chance visiting fans will have an organized package to attend. It will be the same as12 years when we played.
You could still go, but you are at your own risk at that point unless you are part of the HNS official delegation.
If we draw Serbia, anybody want to go to the game in Beograd? If FIFA/UEFA allow it, of course. That would be an excellent CSR Tour Stop.
Avoid France at all costs! Their team is only going to get better once they get the proper coach in place. We can beat them, however, it will be much much better without them being in our group.
Fingers crossed.
U Boj U Boj Za Narod Svoj!
They should wait till like a month or two before Euro Cup. I am not excited for this till after Euros. It doesn't mean a whole lot for me, things can totally change till World Cup qualifiers. Hopefully they draw Turkey so they can get revenge and beat the piss out of them.
some tough possibilities….
wouldn't mind seeing….Denmark, Hungary, Lithuania, Faroe islands and Malta.
possible group of death:
croatia france ukraine romania macedonia wales