UKRAINE Photo: Shakhtar The first half of the season is done in Ukraine with reigning champions Shakhtar Donetsk ending 2012 with a dominating 17 wins from 18 domestic games. Their only misstep came at the hands of Arsenal Kiev in a 2-0 loss. Both captain Darijo Srna and Eduardo received starts for Shakhtar on Friday in a 2-0 victory over Kryvbas. But it wasn't a good … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *XIII*
Mandžukić
Croatians Around Europe *XII*
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SPAIN Luka Modrić played the second half for Real Madrid as they suffered a crucial defeat to Real Betis. With Madrid down 1-0 at halftime, Jose Mourinho took off Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil for Kaka and Modrić as they put more emphasis on the attacking side of the game. Modrić completed 36 passes with 83% accuracy, crossing the ball four times and created one chance, … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *XII*
Croatia without an identity in Belgium
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Photo: Sportske Novosti Written by Ante Ražov Croatia took an early advantage in Brussels. Ivan Perišić finished off a cross from Mandžukić that was partially deflected and unable to be cleared by Belgium. Perišić calmly tucked the failed clearance away to give the Vatreni a 1-0 lead only six minutes into the game. With Hrvatska leading away in a World Cup … [Read more...] about Croatia without an identity in Belgium
Good Showing at Euros Brings Big Deals for Vatreni
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It didn't take long for somebody to snatch up the 26 year old after his inspiring performance at Euro2012. A price has not been put on Mario Mandžukić's head, but we know the deal will last until 2016. Many Hrvati were expecting a Crottenham Hotspur in Wolfsburg, but the trade frees up space for Lakic and Olic to play side by side for a struggling Wolfsburg … [Read more...] about Good Showing at Euros Brings Big Deals for Vatreni
EURO 2012: What We Learned
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Photo: Mirror Written by Vedran Ćavara Something funny happened during Croatia's 2012 EURO campaign: our expectations were suddenly raised, and the team made us proud. Here are a few observations I've made. Feel free to disagree. -Slaven Bilić made this team into a bona fide unit that played within themselves. They worked hard for each other and defended as a … [Read more...] about EURO 2012: What We Learned
CROATIAN AROUND EUROPE *XXXIII*
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Germany Photo: AFP PHOTO / THOMAS KIENZLE Stuttgart rallied from a 2-goal deficit to defeat Mario Mandžukić and Wolfsburg 3-2 in front of 58,500 at Mercedes Benz Arena on Saturday. Wolfsburg opened up the scoring in the 28th minute after Mario broke free on the right side and found Patrick Helmes with a cross right in front of the goal. Marco Russ doubled the … [Read more...] about CROATIAN AROUND EUROPE *XXXIII*
CROATIANS AROUND EUROPE *XXXII*
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ENGLAND Photo: EuroSport The Croatian Juggernaut has let us all know that he's not stopping anytime soon. Everton's prized winter transfer, Nikica Jelavić, scored two more goals on Saturday in a 4-0 win over Fulham. The £5.5million man now has 10 goals in an Everton jersey from only 10 starts, and is heating up just in time for Croatian manager Slaven Bilić to … [Read more...] about CROATIANS AROUND EUROPE *XXXII*
CROATIANS AROUND EUROPE *XXX*
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ENGLAND Photo: AP Nikica Jelavić did was he was supposed to do Saturay- score. But Everton could not hold a 1-0 halftime lead against crosstown rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup semifinal from Wembley. After a week of rest, Jelavić looked to have his batteries recharged, and it showed. Early in the first half, Jela got off a crisp bicycle kick from the center of the … [Read more...] about CROATIANS AROUND EUROPE *XXX*
CROATIANS AROUND EUROPE *XXVIII*
By 227 CommentsGermany PHOTO: Bundesliga Ivan Perišić(center) thought he scored the game winner for Borussia Dortmund on Saturday In what will surely be the Bundesliga game of the year, Stuttgart came from behind twice to stun Borussia Dortmund 4-4 at Signal Iduna Park on Friday. Former Hajduk Split midfielder, Ivan Perišić, came on for Kevin Großkreutz in the 79th minute and … [Read more...] about CROATIANS AROUND EUROPE *XXVIII*
