The Croatian national football team is one week away from knowing if they will be among 31 other teams at next year's World Cup in Brazil. In their way: a two-legged playoff with Iceland on November 15th in Reykjavík and November 19th in Zagreb. CroatianSports.com will dedicate the next week to covering everything you need to know about the players, tactics and what the … [Read more...] about Pictures worth 1,000 words
world cup
Halilović scores, Croatia U-17s lose 2-1 to Uzbekistan
By 59 CommentsAlen Halilović finally got his first goal of the tournament. Croatia still lost. In an almost must-win game for the Croatian U-17 team, the mini Vatreni lost 2-1 to Uzbekistan in their World Cup group finale which will likely see them bow out of the tournament without moving onto the group stage. With all eyes on Dinamo Zagreb's prized teenager, Alen Halilović finally got … [Read more...] about Halilović scores, Croatia U-17s lose 2-1 to Uzbekistan
Croatia get 1st win at U17 World Cup
By 14 CommentsAfter a disappointing showing in their U-17 World Cup opener against Morocco, where the mini Vatreni lost 3-1, Croatia rebounded Monday in a 1-0 victory over Panama. Dinamo's 'wunder-kind' Alen Halilović captained the team and played the full 90 minutes; finishing his second match at the World Cup without scoring a goal. But in the 26th minute, Ante Roguljić would dribble into … [Read more...] about Croatia get 1st win at U17 World Cup
Morocco stuns Croatia 3-1 in U-17 World Cup opener
By 71 CommentsAfter a busy week of senior internationals, the 2013 U-17 World Cup has gotten underway on Thursday in the United Arab Emirates. Croatia's campaign begins Friday at 8:45 AM ET against Morocco. The youngsters have received a favorable draw, with Panama and Uzbekistan joining them to make up Group C. It is just the second appearance for Croatia in the tournament. … [Read more...] about Morocco stuns Croatia 3-1 in U-17 World Cup opener
Štimac: The good, the bad, the ugly
By 52 CommentsBefore 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
Croatia 99% playoff bound
By 185 CommentsThe cardiac Croats are at it again. Since their March 2013 qualifiers against Serbia and Wales, which were both victories, Croatia has only earned one point from their next three competitive matches: 1-0 loss to Scotland, 1-1 draw with Serbia and 2-1 loss to Belgium. So instead of their fans booking tickets to next year's World Cup in Brazil, they are now holding their … [Read more...] about Croatia 99% playoff bound
What’s at stake? (pt. 2)
By 153 CommentsBarring a complete Belgian (or) Croatian collapse, the Vatreni will be a seeded team in November's UEFA playoff draw for the 2014 World Cup. In FIFA's latest rankings, Croatia dropped two spots to #10, which still keeps them in front of some pretty tough competition. Teams will still shift around with the last round of qualifiers in the next week, but as it stands, this would … [Read more...] about What’s at stake? (pt. 2)
Mladi Vatreni bow out of World Cup after 2 late Chilean goals
By 173 CommentsCroatia could not find a goal against Chile and surrendered twice in the last 10 minutes, one being an own goal, to bow out of the 2013 U20 World Cup in the Round of 16 after a 2-0 loss Wednesday night. A win would have seen Croatia play a gritty Ghana team in the quarterfinal round, after they surprised Portugal, beating them 3-2. The chances were there for the mladi … [Read more...] about Mladi Vatreni bow out of World Cup after 2 late Chilean goals
Croatia defeats New Zealand 2-1 at U20 World Cup, win Group F
By 99 CommentsCroatia's U-20 team, the Mali Vatreni, only needed a draw Saturday night in Bursa, Turkey to progress onto the knockout stages of the U20 FIFA World Cup, but they got much more than they were looking for. Croatia would score twice against group F minnows New Zealand in a 2-1 victory, which was good enough to finish atop the group as Uruguay dismantled Uzbekistan 4-0 to finish … [Read more...] about Croatia defeats New Zealand 2-1 at U20 World Cup, win Group F