Separating the beautiful game from politics can be challenging. Between 2012-2013, I stopped watching the sport and closely following the national team. Former manager Igor Stimac changed the formation for every qualifying match. Inserting Sammir into the squad was an insult. The inclusion of Davor Suker as president only increased poor morale surrounding a once-exciting … [Read more...] about Remaining invested in the Croatia national team
Ivan Rakitić
Croatians Around Europe *II*
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SPAIN Ivan Rakitić was 'Man of the Match' Sunday as Barcelona scraped by for a 1-0 road win at Athletic Bilbao. Rakitić played the full 90 minutes and scored in the 21st minute when Arda Turan sent a soft, looping cross from the edge of the box onto the head of the streaking Croatian. It would be the only goal of the game as both sides had multiple chances in … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *II*
Croatians Around Europe *I*
By 32 CommentsGermany Photo: Hoffenheim Andrej Kramarić started off the season with a bang for 1899 Hoffenheim by registering a hat trick on his DFB Cup debut in Barsinghausen on Sunday. The former Dinamo Zagreb striker has now scored eight goals in 16 career matched with Hoffenheim. Photo: Bayer Tin Jedvaj started and played the full 90 minutes at … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *I*
Evaluating Croatia’s national team following Euro 2016
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After two weeks of processing Croatia’s harsh exit from Euro 2016, it’s time to evaluate the entire squad’s performance and future. This was a very productive tournament for almost every player on the national team. With only one player expected to retire, they should carry the positive momentum going into 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Here is my brief evaluation for every … [Read more...] about Evaluating Croatia’s national team following Euro 2016
Moving Forward
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Whenever an uncontrollable incident transpires during a game, there is nothing productive about hindering on the setback. The disturbing scenes in the crowd left a damaging effect on the national team. Croatia couldn’t respond following the ongoing flares and disorder within their fan section. Their body language expressed a team that wanted to survive rather than continuing to … [Read more...] about Moving Forward
Croatia Crumbles At The End After Fans Throw Flares On Pitch, Draw Czech 2-2
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Croatia started today's match with confidence. From where they left off with Turkey, the Croatians continued a menacing attack from every angle. In the 38th minute Ivan Perišić took his defender one on one down the left side, cut in, and slotted a beautiful goal into the side of the net to put Croatia up 1-0. Czechs had shown some glimpses of being able to find gaps in the … [Read more...] about Croatia Crumbles At The End After Fans Throw Flares On Pitch, Draw Czech 2-2
An inspired team effort brings much-needed optimism back to Croatia
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There were several lingering questions surrounding Croatia going into Euro 2016. Disregard the ongoing turmoil within the federation. Nobody knew what to make of a talented squad that hadn’t played consistently well for a sustainable period of time since 2012. Would Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic finally play well together? Can Mario Mandzukic regain his scoring excellence? Will … [Read more...] about An inspired team effort brings much-needed optimism back to Croatia
Croatians Around Europe *XXVI*
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SPAIN Real Madrid played a pretty awful game against bottom tier Granada on Sunday. And Granada should have surely won, if not drawn with Real, if it wasn't for Luka Modrić. Modrić had a superb day at the office with his passing but the midfielder maestro will be known on this day for his rocket foot. With the game tied 1-1 in the 85th minute, Modrić … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *XXVI*
Croatians Around Europe *XXIII*
By 62 CommentsItaly PHOTO: EPE Juventus keep their momentum as they win with a roboant 4-0 in Udine and escalate to second place in the league. Mario Mandžukić walks past his injury and makes his debut in 2016 from the first minute. The Croatian international fails to leave a mark on the score sheet but is decisive in closing the match when, in the 25 minute, he wins the … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *XXIII*
