Yes, yes. I know. It’s a meaningless pre-season friendly. And I would agree with you 90% of the time.
But I’m going to leave this right here for all of you. We’ve said it once on CroatianSports and we’ll say it a thousand more times: “Luka Sučić is going to be a rockstar!” And little things like these – at the age of 18 – will only build his confidence moving forward.
Sučić played the entire 1st half in a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, assisted on the goal, and had an amazing dribbling performance through four Atletico players.
Again, he’s only 18.
I had a few drinks with my buddy and Joe Simunic yesterday. He’s a really easy going guy.
We were gonna play a 2v2…I was planning to slide tackle veliki Joe on the pavement field and he told me to be prepared for a dirty battle.
I decided to pull my hamstring before the game started…game is postponed until further notice and I’m telling everyone Joe backed out 😉
I’ll give you guys an update if anything changes but for now, I’m just eating and drinking like a maniac!
Srbcunts despatched in Water Polo 14-12 😀
Dario Šimić’s son (Roko Šimić) just scored on his debut:
https://mobile.twitter.com/CroatianScout2/status/1421164337272692742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1421164337272692742%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsportske.jutarnji.hr%2Fsn%2Fnogomet%2Fnogomet-mix%2Fvideo-sin-legendarnog-vatrenog-odusevio-odmah-na-startu-majstor-zabio-nakon-samo-jedne-minute-na-terenu-15091933
17 years old and 6’3″ striker.
Hopefully both Roko and Sučić thrive in the Red Bull development system.
Yes, 1 minute into his debut. Not a bad start….
Wait till they find out about girls! Hooboy. Then who is to blame?
I didn’t realize that I was soo right…I thought I may have been the only person thinking Hajduk fans are nuts but no, all of Croatia see how nuts they are as well!
People here are soo tired of the mentality of the Hajduk fans. Their number one achievement over the past several years is counting how many “clanovi” they have because nobody…and I mean nobody is as blind as they are. They have their first game, they win…they then say they’ll be champions. The next game they lose and they blame the loss on some kind of fluke…THEN…they rest their best player for there qualifying match and they get spanked! I mean spanked badly by a team from Kazakhstan and everyone here is laughing their ass off, posting hilarious videos all over social media…it’s a complete joke!
We all want a strong Hajduk for the greater good of the game but it’s also fun to watch these crazy fans behave like babies after anticipating a good result!
WTF was their coach thinking leaving Livaja out of the lineup. I don’t know if he was injured but good lord, that loss yesterday poses some strong questions.
They did the right thing with their squad construction.
They let go of a few of their overpaid foreign bums, and brought it some vets who have actually showed something in good leagues (like Krovinovic).
They didn’t immediately sell off their key young talent this summer (like they always do). If this was a past season, Stipe Biuk would have been immediately sold off to the first bidder (like they did to Bradaric and many others in recent history).
The two big mistakes were the coaching hire and keeping Lovre Kalinic.
Kalinic has been mentally broken for a long time now, and Hajduk actually had decent keepers on the bench. Not sure why they decided to keep him. I guess he’s still a big “name” in Split, so they wanted to show how serious they were about competing.
The coaching selection was baffling to me.
They first pursued some Portuguese guy that hadn’t really done much in his coaching career. Then they pursue this Swedish dude who also hasn’t done much in his career.
I doubt either of these guys speak Croatian, and I doubt the Portuguese guy even speaks English (most don’t).
Not sure what it is that made them so appealing, especially since Swedes absolutely do not play creative football.
I think Hajduk will do fine this year (behind both Dinamo and Osijek)…but it’s a good kick to the nuts because they had the opportunity to make Europa, in addition to being a top-3 team in the HNL.
Finishing third without Europa will fall short of expectations.
I’m surprised, but I’m not.
This is the same Hajduk we have seen for what now… 15 years? But they had (and some might say, still have at least in the domestic league) momentum going into this year with their signings, youngsters and coaching staff brought in. I truly thought that this was Hajduk’s year to have a solid season in the Conference League (maybe Groups?) and at least finish 2nd – but Europe is already gone and Rijeka/Osijek both look strong out of the gates, both in Europe and domestically.
Some sobering facts, that I’ve mentioned multiple times.
-Last time Hajduk finished at least 2nd was 11-12.
-Last time Hajduk were the champions was 04-05, when Niko Kranjcar was 20-21 years old (!!!)
-Last time Hajduk made the group stage of a European league was 10-11, when they just about lost every game in the group – and prior to that you’re talking mid-90’s (!!!)
And in my opinion, Hajduk-Dinamo derbi, while the traditional ‘top’ derbi in the domovina, isn’t really the best one. Over the last 5 years or so, I’d much rather watch Dinamo-Rijeka or Dinamo-Osijek.
I’m over the Hajduk bashing. Give me a strong Hajduk again. If Hajduk get their act together and even surpass my club, Rijeka, I’ll still curse them but a small part of me would be ok with, given a good Hajduk is good for our football. For a few years it was fun to see the ship sinking, but this has been like a slo-mo car crash where you can never tell when its truly over.
@ Armada,
Best take I have read in a long while. Bravo.
I think people are looking at it the wrong way. Why do we need a strong Hajduk for the league? We have other teams that can step up. Rijeka , Osijek and maybe Lokomotiva. Hajduk continues to be a joke and will continue. They blame everyone else for their misfortunes but yesterday showed they continue to be outclassed. How do you let a second rate team score three goals on you in 11 minutes? Awful. On the positive side we have Dinamo, Osijek and Rijeka moving on to the next round.
We need a good Hajduk because its a traditional power in our country and raises the overall profile of our football. People outside of Croatia know Hajduk, know Torcida, etc. People don’t really know Rijeka, Osijek, Gorica, Lokomotiva, etc.
I forgot what sportscaster made this comment years back, but when the Lakers are doing well and are exciting, thats a good thing for the NBA. Yankees for the MLB. Canadiens/Leafs for the NHL. Cowboys for the NFL. When those marquee franchises do well, more people tune in, more people pay attention. More casual observers pay attention. Same applies to our league.
Hajduk are like the New York Knicks of the HNL.
You may take joy in their misery, but the league is just a lot more interesting once they get better.
Hajduk has the biggest and most passionate fan base… But with nothing to cheer for.
Couple this with the long spell of Purgeri boycotting Dinamo… and it literally killed the league.
Having a strong Dinamo, Hajduk, Osijek and Rijeka gets all the largest fan bases engaged, and we get some actual derbies going (instead of these one sided beat downs from Dinamo).
There wasn’t much that Kalinic could do on the first goal. The 2nd was tough but stoppable, the 3rd he didn’t even react to and I haven’t seen the 4th. Koja sramota. Krovinovic missed a penalty. It figures that we’re probably the first to fall victim to the away goals rule change.
Suker, Dalic, and Mamic are all goners. Clean up the management and ensure this team makes Qatar. Luka Sucic looks like a potential Modric. Mamic had Dalic on strings like a puppet. HNS needs complete 360 degree change. New players, managers, team identity. I’m glad that Mamic prick got sentenced. Dalic is sweating right now because he knows his time is ticking.
Suker gets fired – now everyone waits for Mamic to pull the trigger on new regime and which one of his guys will get the call up to HNS boss and new coach- it looks pretty apparent that Mamic has the control
Did Hajduk really just blow a 2-0 aggregate vs. the 2nd place team from Kazakhstan?
Told you he he should have been on the WC squad.
Anyone think Dalic will be replaced, now that Suker is out?
I hope so.
But since it wasn’t really a hostile takeover, I think the new guy (Kustić) will just keep things status quo and not rattle any cages.
Hopefully I’m wrong.
Suker is a “brand” don’t forget. He doesn’t need this role. He’s Davor Fucking Suker. Kiss his boots and pay him respect.
Wow Hajduk is shitting the bed right now.
Geez. They’re like the Clippers of the HNL.
damn that hurts being a Lakers and Hajduk fan lol
I only saw from minute 50.
Tobol had 4 shots on goal, 4 goals.
Kalinic is one of the worst goalkeepers in Europe. I can’t believe he’s a professional.
I actually do think that someone like Hajduk’s midfielder Vukovic would have stopped one of those 4 shots.
With Kalinic Hajduk won’t finish top 5 this season.
They’re gotta start talking about terminating his contract now. You can’t have someone like him as goalie.
Man, I was thinking the same thing. Not only is he their goalie, he is somehow their captain.. I dont think it all falls on him but jeez that was just terrible. He cost Hajduk a point this weekend against osijek too
Was this all on Kalinic? I mean, this really fucks our coefficient game here… I really thought Hajduk could either get to the PO’s or maybe groups with this team.
4 shots 4 goals.
Kinda like Subašić against France in the World Cup final lol
Difference between this kid and Halilovic and Coric is that he is coming from the Salzburg academy. Now I am in no way shape or form knocking the Dinamo academy because it is one of the best in Europe, however Salzburg doesnt need to and wont sell Sucic too early to a big club like Dinamo would. Salzburg has had some amazing talent come out in the recent years and I think he will continue this trend. I think Halilovic and Coric suffered greatly because they were let go too early for what ever the reason may have been. I do also believe that he will choose Croatia since he has openly said so but you never know, if he decides not to choose Croatia we wouldnt want him anyway right? I for one am excited about him.
Ćorić and Halilović were let go early because Dinamo are elite evaluators of talent.
They always prematurely sell all their duds (Šimunović, Jedvaj, Ćorić, etc), and hold onto their quality players a bit longer.
This is probably why they were quick to loan out and sell guys like Kulenović and Marin. They’re probably duds, and Dinamo tried to cash in on them while they could.
Not saying you’re wrong, I think that playing for Salzburg and maturing there for a couple more years will do Sucic a ton of good.
Yea, especially since Red Bull are owned by an Austrian Croat and are a feeder team for Red Bull Leipzig.
I like this kid’s size.
I’ve always hated those frail pixie-sized players who had no strength.
Balic, Halilovic and Coric were technically gifted, but were so easily pushed off the ball. So easy to defend.
The game has evolved and now you have jacked guys playing football. Fitness and muscle is more important now than in the past, and if you’re a small player, you’d better be strong and tough (like Modric was) to succeed.
I’m a big Brekalo fan, but his slight frame has been hindering his progress too. I think he’s still a mentally tough kid and will overcome it. Coric and Halilovic were mentally weak, and pathetic physically.
Biuk seems tough, and I’m hoping Sucic is too. Neither seem to get pushed off the ball to easily, so it’s a good sign.
He looks REALLY good! That vision with the long pass is something we need.
Another luka like gianluigi for italy goalkeepers hahah just hope
Agree with U boj U boj, no one really knows how a kid is going to turn out. What I think we have here though with these wanna be scouts is kids that want to be the first ones on the hot ticket, they just rattle off names of every young Croatian player playing the game without even watching them.
How much football do you think people actually watch, and when you have got time to watch football you gonna watch the HNL (bush league) or real football?
Who was the first one to mention S. Biuk again?
You seem like the kind of guy to go out for drinks and order water. Then leave before it’s time to pay. Real sour apple.
What does our valuation of these athletes have anything to do with how they will turn out? If they have a good head on their shoulders and work hard they will pan out. We’ve just been a bit unlikely in the past, has nothing to do with these new prospects.
CroatiaU14 and I talked a lot about Biuk when he started excelling, and we will continue to do so for the next up and comers.
FYI, we watch all these players more than you’d think 😉
@Markus
“If they have a good head on their shoulders and work hard they will pan out. We’ve just been a bit unlucky in the past, has nothing to do with these new prospects.”
You meant unlucky.
And if they don’t pan out it’s on them, they didn’t work hard or have a good head on their shoulders? But what does that say about the people (you and your group) evaluating these athletes? That you’re unlucky with your evaluations in the past?
So nothing to do with these new prospects and everything to do with those making the evaluations, which is what I said, which you could’ve seen yourself if you weren’t reading my comment with a hostile spirit?
Clearly your evaluations are made more in hope and not any knowledge, and I just feel that should be understood by the readers here.
Here to help.
@Frenchman
Lol. I feel bad that your family has to deal with your lack of self esteem. I would say friends too, but clearly you have none
Cilic and Dodig into the gold medal match in doubles. Pavic and Mektic may well join them and we will have Cro v Cro getting gold and silver in the same event; is that the first time that has ever happened, if it does?
Oh good point Iggy, and i can update Mektic and Pavic have won! So it is an all Hrvatska mens doubles gold medal match, gold AND silver coming for us! YAY !
Great news!
So we already got three gold medals, one silver and one bronze.
And there’s more to come.
Hopefully Damir Martin can score one for us in the rowing Finals today.
It will be tough, as there are quite a few medalist hopefuls this year.
@U Boj
So hyping up a talent makes him a bust?
Alright guys, from now on we don’t talk about any of our youth talents!😐
Hype to a point but don’t be a homer. Be objective and stay humble.
Just because a few people comment negatively, doesn’t mean that majority enjoy the content. Keep it going bud.
Healthy debates are good and I feel like the people here really learn from each other. Especially some folks who haven’t played competitive footy nor watch on a regular basis.
The goalscorer had a bit to do to score that, I don’t think that’s an assist.
He looks good though and hopefully is the future of Austrian football (the system that made him what he is), but of course he could choose Bosnia also.
Dude fuck off from the basement already
Lol, right? What a productive life he must be living. Fyi, Sucic has many times confirmed that he will play for Croatia.
@Markus
You know more about Croatia’s young players than full blooded Croats do, just don’t forget you’re still French.
If Sucic has said that he will play for Croatia he still can change his mind. I do recall some here suggesting he should be capped asap rather than earn the right to represent your second NT, it sounded desperate to me.
@Dannyj
That’s so clever, the “basement” lol, did you think of that yourself? That’s something muppets should start saying to people whose comments they don’t like, it could really take off with the simpler sort I reckon.
Anyway congrats on joining the 50 comment club, when did that happen? In my opinion 50 of the most inconspicuous comments lol.
Froggie your obsession and infatuation with all things Croatian,then pretending to be French is rather creepy.
I sense you’re the type of guy who has stalked all of your ex gf’s for ending a relationship with you.
Something happened to you that ingrained a deep rooted jealousy of Croats …tell us what it was.. us Croatian brothers can band together and perhaps help you see the light.
Think of it as a therapeutic session at no charge to you.
Behind hate generally lies jealousy.
He is probably a French-born Croat (or one that moved to France).
Likely from a mixed marriage and suffers from a bit of a complex as a result (similar to that Aleksandar Holiga character).
In sports that count assists, the last team mate to touch the ball before the goal scorer collects an assist. What about the Susic pass is counter to that? Why do you not think that is an assist? Your comment makes no sense to a rational person.
We need to pump the brakes on these type of discussions. Kid has potential and hope for the best. No injuries etc. I recall in the past all the talk on Coric and Halilovic to name a few. People on this site, non stop telling us these two will dominate for Hrvatska. We all know how that turned out.
What a weak take… what about him reminds of you either player or anyone else who busted??
Lol. You think Coric and Halilovic have excelled? Get your eyes checked.
No I mean your take is lazy, anyonetalks about potential, you tell people there were busts before! Your like one of those people that dosnt ever want to make a prediction, just remind people when they were wrong… just lazy
He’s the future!!!!! Welcome to the Sučić show. He’s a performer