Happy 6th Birthday to CroatianSports.com! On February 22nd, 2008, Denis and I officially flipped the switch at CroatianSoccerReport.com following Croatia's dismantling of England in Euro 2008 qualifying. Six years later, we could not have imagined this passion project to have gone any better. From interviews with the likes of Niko Kranjčar, Igor Štimac, Luka Modrić and … [Read more...] about CroatianSports.com Turns 6!
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Tuesday Night Funnies: Niko i Brate
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The new regime is here. Štimac is out, the Kovač brothers are in. And only Iceland stands in the way of Croatia not playing at the World Cup in Brazil next summer. Here's a little 'Mare i Kate' remake sending Štimac on his way and welcoming the Kovač brothers into a tough role with Brazil at their fingertips. Hopefully we never have to send the Kovač brothers home the way … [Read more...] about Tuesday Night Funnies: Niko i Brate
Štimac: The good, the bad, the ugly
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Before we get to the obvious catastrophe which this last qualifying campaign turned out to be, let's go through the positives. Because there were positives, believe it or not. The Good 1) Croatia can still make the World Cup! And when/if that happens and 'Lijepa Naša' is being blasted throughout Brazilian stadiums in front of the entire world, we won't be thinking … [Read more...] about Štimac: The good, the bad, the ugly
Štimac sacked, Kovač new Croatian manager
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After the 2-0 loss to Scotland at Hampden Park Tuesday night, all signs pointed to a new Croatian manager come Wednesday morning with Igor Štimac saying he would put in his letter of resignation for the better of the team. But who would it be? Many pointed to former Croatia manager and the always animated Miroslav "Ćiro" Blažević to take over the reigns of the Croatian … [Read more...] about Štimac sacked, Kovač new Croatian manager
Croatia skim by Liechtenstein with double from Eduardo
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The cardiac Croats were at it again; this time in Liechtenstein during a friendly warmup for the upcoming World Cup 2014 qualifier with Serbia in September. The Vatreni started with a strong lineup, which included regulars Pletikosa, Srna, Ćorluka, Rakitić, Modrić, Olić and Mandžukić. Possession and control was kept by Croatia early in the game with not much … [Read more...] about Croatia skim by Liechtenstein with double from Eduardo
Croatia needs new look vs. Wales
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Photo: 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
Rakitić bomb sends Croatia to victory in Skopje
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Photo: Sportske Novosti Starting XI vs. Macedonia: Pletikosa, Strinić, Šimunić, Ćorluka, Srna, Vukojević, Perišić, Modrić, Rakitić, Mandžukić, Jelavić in a 4-4-2 formation The cardiac Croatians were at it again- this time in Skopje, Macedonia. After going down early to a 16' Ibraimi strike due to a lapse in defense, Croatia composed themselves over the next 70 … [Read more...] about Rakitić bomb sends Croatia to victory in Skopje
Croatia vs. Macedonia- A Look In
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Croatia takes on a tricky Macedonian side on Friday from Skopje in World Cup 2014 qualifying. This will be the third match for the Vatreni, already defeating Macedonia by a narrow 1-0 margin in Zagreb and dueling out the Belgians to a 1-1 draw in Brussels back in September. Surely, Croatia should earn all three points in this match but Macedonia proved themselves less than a … [Read more...] about Croatia vs. Macedonia- A Look In
Štimac loses 4-2 to Swiss in debut
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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
