Happy New Year from the entire crew at CroatianSports.com! As we await Croatia's opening match against hosts Brazil at the 2014 World Cup, we wish you health and happiness as we close out 2013 and start fresh again in 2014. It's been an absolute pleasure debating, discussing and arguing everything from sports to politics with all of you this year as our online Croatian … [Read more...] about Happy New Year-Sretna Nova Godina!
2014
Kovač eyes Sertic for 2014 debut
By 77 CommentsEarlier in the week, Croatian national team manager Niko Kovač said he would scout 24 year-old Bordeaux midfielder Gregory Sertic once he finalized his Croatian papers in 2014. Sertic has already been capped five times by the French U-21 side, but never by the senior team. His birth country of France seems to be his priority for international football, but with that said, do … [Read more...] about Kovač eyes Sertic for 2014 debut
Croatia to open up World Cup vs. Brazil!
By 318 CommentsIt's official! Croatia will be opening up the 2014 World Cup in Brazil against the hosts in front of the entire world. Although that sounds like an uphill climb, the rest of the group consists of Mexico and Cameroon. Brazil defeated Croatia 1-0 at the 2006 World Cup and Mexico defeated the Vatreni 1-0 in 2002. Croatia has never played an African side in the World … [Read more...] about Croatia to open up World Cup vs. Brazil!
The Croatians are coming!
By 44 CommentsIt wasn't pretty. It wasn't pretty at all. But in the end, Croatia made it to the World Cup in Brazil. How did they do it? In the most unimpressive fashion ever. The only teams Croatia beat during qualifying were Macedonia (2x), Wales (2x), Serbia and Iceland. They lost to Scotland not once, but twice and were held scoreless in Iceland during their first playoff … [Read more...] about The Croatians are coming!
What went wrong?
By 237 CommentsYou say what? Croatia controlled the ball for 68% of the match, kept Iceland without a shot on goal AND played the last 40 minutes of the match with an extra man- and the game ended 0-0? So what went wrong? It's quite simple. As most Croatian fans around the world blame lack of heart, desire and will power in Croatia's latest scoreless blunder in Reykjavik, … [Read more...] about What went wrong?
Iceland: What you need to know
By 153 CommentsThe week we have all been waiting for is finally here. Croatia plays Iceland in a two-legged playoff with a berth to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil on the line. But what do we really know about Iceland? 1. Demographics: If you thought Croatia was a small country with a population of 4.5 million, you were wrong. Iceland has a population of 325,000 people which makes … [Read more...] about Iceland: What you need to know
Pictures worth 1,000 words
By 37 CommentsThe Croatian national football team is one week away from knowing if they will be among 31 other teams at next year's World Cup in Brazil. In their way: a two-legged playoff with Iceland on November 15th in Reykjavík and November 19th in Zagreb. CroatianSports.com will dedicate the next week to covering everything you need to know about the players, tactics and what the … [Read more...] about Pictures worth 1,000 words
Štimac: The good, the bad, the ugly
By 52 CommentsBefore we get to the obvious catastrophe which this last qualifying campaign turned out to be, let's go through the positives. Because there were positives, believe it or not. The Good 1) Croatia can still make the World Cup! And when/if that happens and 'Lijepa Naša' is being blasted throughout Brazilian stadiums in front of the entire world, we won't be thinking … [Read more...] about Štimac: The good, the bad, the ugly
Croatia 99% playoff bound
By 185 CommentsThe cardiac Croats are at it again. Since their March 2013 qualifiers against Serbia and Wales, which were both victories, Croatia has only earned one point from their next three competitive matches: 1-0 loss to Scotland, 1-1 draw with Serbia and 2-1 loss to Belgium. So instead of their fans booking tickets to next year's World Cup in Brazil, they are now holding their … [Read more...] about Croatia 99% playoff bound