Barring a complete Belgian (or) Croatian collapse, the Vatreni will be a seeded team in November's UEFA playoff draw for the 2014 World Cup. In FIFA's latest rankings, Croatia dropped two spots to #10, which still keeps them in front of some pretty tough competition. Teams will still shift around with the last round of qualifiers in the next week, but as it stands, this would … [Read more...] about What’s at stake? (pt. 2)
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Croatia Come Up Short In Bronze Medal Game, Finish 4th
By 18 CommentsPlaying for their first medal in 18 years, Croatia played with heart and intensity, fighting back multiple times, but falling to the very talented Spain 92-66. Croatia were able to keep the game close for most of the first half thanks to 18 points from Bojan Bogdanović, but Spain went on a run to close out the half up 11. Bogdanović went cold in the second half, scoring … [Read more...] about Croatia Come Up Short In Bronze Medal Game, Finish 4th
Poor 3rd quarter sees Croatia bow out of Eurobasket semifinals
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The magic finally ran out for the Croatian national basketball team Friday night in Ljubljana. After winning eight straight games at the 2013 European championships in Slovenia, Croatia were beat 77-62 by a tough Lithuania team in the semifinal match. After only being down three at the half, Croatia fell apart in the third quarter, letting Lithuania go on a 21-8 run to … [Read more...] about Poor 3rd quarter sees Croatia bow out of Eurobasket semifinals
Croatia defeat Ukraine, make Euro semis
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After a tight first quarter, Croatia pulled away and never looked back Thursday night in Slovenia, defeating Ukraine 84-72 in the Eurobasket quarterfinals. Croatia will now play one of the pre-tournament favorites, Lithuania in the semifinals. This is Croatia's first appearance in the semis since 1995 and with the berth comes automatic qualification into the World Championships … [Read more...] about Croatia defeat Ukraine, make Euro semis
Croatia beats Greece in 2 OT’s, Tops Group
By 16 CommentsIt took two overtimes, but Croatia came out victorious over a determined Greek side 92-88 on Monday to win their 7th in a row and finish atop their group. The win knocks Greece out of the tournament and sets Croatia up to play Ukraine on Thursday in the quarterfinals. Ukraine are 5-3 thus far in the competition, including an impressive win over … [Read more...] about Croatia beats Greece in 2 OT’s, Tops Group
Croatia breeze past Finland (Eurobasket 2nd Round)
By 25 CommentsCroatia cruised by Finland in their 2nd round Eurobasket encounter on Thursday, winning 88-63 and moving to the top of their group. With the game played just over the border in Slovenia, Croatian fans made their presence known as they chanted throughout, leaving the appearance of a home game. The first quarter was sloppy for both teams, but Croatia's dominance on the the boards … [Read more...] about Croatia breeze past Finland (Eurobasket 2nd Round)
New look Vatreni defeat South Korea 2-1
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HRVATSKA starting XI: Krešić, Vida, Lovren, Bubnjić, Srna, Ademi, Rakitić, Milić, Perišić, Kalinić, Eduardo. It was a quiet and scoreless first half in South Korea Tuesday night as Croatia travelled halfway across the globe for this friendly. They would be without stars Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic and Vedran Corluka for this match, although captain Darijo Srna, … [Read more...] about New look Vatreni defeat South Korea 2-1
Igor Štimac: Coach, coward or confused?
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After the Croatia-Serbia match on Friday, manager Igor Štimac commented that "the game went according to plan" and that he was "happy with the result." I'm sure I'm with the rest of you Croatian fans when I ask: what the hell are you talking about? I'm fine with the result, as Croatia knocked Serbia out of the World Cup and have set themselves up for a … [Read more...] about Igor Štimac: Coach, coward or confused?
Croatia knocks Serbia out of World Cup
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Croatia came out in Belgrade playing three strikers in Mandzukic, Olic and Eduardo like they were going to put on a fireworks show in scoring goals, but they ultimately played a tactical game in the first half like they were playing Spain in their prime in the World Cup final: scared. At the end of the match, Croatia should be happy upon the 1-1 result as they have … [Read more...] about Croatia knocks Serbia out of World Cup
