GERMANY Photo: DAPD With the Bundesliga returning from winter break in one week's time, Mario Mandžukić was warming up in what hopes to be a productive year for the 26 year-old striker. After scoring two goals earlier in the week against Schalke in a 5-0 friendly victory, Mandžukić struck again on Saturday, this time against Basel in the ninth minute of play. Mandza … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *XIX*
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Croatians Around Europe *XVI*
By 14 CommentsITALY Marko Livaja made a rare Serie A appearance for Inter Saturday, coming off the bench in the 78th minute with Inter down 1-0 to Genoa. Inter would quickly equalize through an Esteban Cambiasso header in the 85th, but a golden opportunity to win the game was ruined by the 19 year-old Croatian striker in injury time. A Diego Milito cross flew through the goal box, … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *XVI*
Champions League draw
By 22 CommentsPhoto: UEFA The Champions League 'Round of 16' draw was conducted Thursday, and for us fans of the beautiful game, the football gods were kind to us this time around. Luka Modrić and Real Madrid go back to England as they take on a mighty Manchester United side over two legs. Los Blancos already denied Manchester City progression in the tournament in the group stage, but … [Read more...] about Champions League draw
Croatians Around Europe *XIII*
By 37 CommentsUKRAINE 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*
Croatians Around Europe *XI*
By 24 CommentsGermany Photo: index.hr Bayern Munich looked uninterested on Saturday in a 1-1 draw at Nurnberg. The Bavarian Giants look to have Valencia and Champions League on their minds and didn't give their usual effort at Stadion Nürnberg. "Super" Mario Mandžukić started and played 77 minutes in the draw. The Croatian international scored another Ivica Olić-like goal in … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *XI*
Croatia needs new look vs. Wales
By 136 CommentsPhoto: PA Croatia face Wales from Gradski Vrt in Osijek Tuesday night in their last World Cup 2014 qualifier of the year. This will be Croatia's seventh time playing an international match in Osijek, where they have never lost since 1996. The Vatreni have four wins and two draws at Gradski Vrt, which includes a 4-1 win over Latvia in World Cup 2002 qualifying and a 0-0 … [Read more...] about Croatia needs new look vs. Wales
Croatians Around Europe *VI*
By 169 CommentsENGLAND Photo: Action Images Nikica Jelavić continued his scoring form going into the international break, heading home a difficult Steven Pienaar deflected shot from a tight angle to equalize for Everton in the 11th minute Saturday for Everton. The goal came only seconds after Wigan's Arouna Koné scored to give Wigan the early lead, with replay showing he was well … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *VI*
Croatia without an identity in Belgium
By 183 CommentsPhoto: 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
Stalemate in Brussels
By 260 CommentsPhoto: Ante Cizmic/Cropix In a game that could have been won by either team, Croatia leave Brussels with a valuable point after a 1-1 draw with Belgium Tuesday night. Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ivan Perišić scored his first goal for Croatia in the sixth minute of play as a Mario Mandžukić cross from the right missed everyone in the box and Perišić one-timed low to … [Read more...] about Stalemate in Brussels