Photo: Tino Juric/PIXSELL Starting XI: Pletikosa - Srna, Maloča, Ćorluka, Pranjić - Rakitić, Badelj, Kranjčar - Mandžukić, Olić, Eduardo It was a rough night in Split for the Vatreni as Igor Štimac's debut as national coach did not go as planned. The Croatian defense, which featured first-time Hajduk defender Mario Maloča into the senior squad looked more like Swiss … [Read more...] about Štimac loses 4-2 to Swiss in debut
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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
What Could Have Been
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Photo: Facebook.com/priznajem.HRVATsam Croatia was one Ivan Rakitić header away from not only clinching a spot in the Euro 2012 quarterfinals, but dethroning the current Euro and World Cup champions, Spain, all in the blink of an eye. With Italy expected to win against the Irish, Croatia knew they needed a result and had to play a near flawless game against the Spaniards … [Read more...] about What Could Have Been
What’s in a Game?
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On Monday, Croatia will take on reigning Euro title holders and current World Cup Champions, Spain, with a Euro 2012 quarterfinal berth on the line. Croatia control their own fate as a win or 2-2 (or higher) draw against Spain will see the Vatreni into the knockout stages no matter what Italy does against Ireland. Both matches kickoff simultaneously at 2:45PM (ET). Croatia also … [Read more...] about What’s in a Game?
CROATIA CRUISE BY IRELAND IN EURO OPENER
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Photo: Cropix Slaven Bilić promised a win for Croatia against a (weak) Irish side on Sunday. His promise came through in a 3-1 victory. There was something different about this Croatia squad on a rainy night in Poznan and it showed immediately after their national anthem, Lijepa Naša. Players didn't just unzip their warmup jackets and trot to their positions as they did … [Read more...] about CROATIA CRUISE BY IRELAND IN EURO OPENER
Norway Force 1-1 Draw at the Death
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Photo: AP It was a lackluster first half in Oslo as Norway and Croatia played a scoreless affair in a friendly match. There was little offense by the Vatreni with Ivan Perišić replacing an ill Luka Modrić in the midfield. The attacking duo of Mario Mandžukić and Nikica Jelavić had few touches, and even fewer scoring chances. Without a creative midfielder to dictate the … [Read more...] about Norway Force 1-1 Draw at the Death
CROATIANS AROUND EUROPE *XXXIV* (Season Finale)
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ENGLAND Photo: EuroSport After going scoreless in his past two games for Everton, Nikica Jelavić ended the season on a high note, scoring in the 27th minute against a tough Newcastle United team in a 3-1 win. Jela made the run down field and had the ball put over the top to him. He appeared to handle the ball with his arm before he fired strong towards net. … [Read more...] about CROATIANS AROUND EUROPE *XXXIV* (Season Finale)
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*
