SPAIN
Luka Modrić had a quiet match for Real Madrid in a thrilling El Clasico on Sunday, as Real fell 4-3 to Barcelona. He had one shot, which was wildly off target, made one tackle and two interceptions, and completed 35 passes. Modric picked up a yellow card in the 88th minute and was subbed off in stoppage time for Alvaro Morata. Real now share their La Liga lead with Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona sits one point behind with nine games to play.
Ivan Rakitić was left on the bench for Sevilla’s big 2-1 win over Osasuna after he played 120 minutes in their Europa League win on Thursday. Rakitic made a penalty in the Europa League shootout against Real Betis, which Sevilla won 4-3. They will play Portuguese champions Porto in the quarterfinals. The La Liga win over Osasuna moves Sevilla up into fifth place, eight points behind Athletic Bilbao for fourth.
Germany
Photo: EFE/EPA/JENS WOLF
Ivica Olić might be 34 years old, but the Croatian international showed the world on Saturday that he can still get up in the air after scoring the equalizing goal on a beautiful header in a 1-1 draw against Augsburg. Ivica started and went the distance in the draw. The former Dinamo Zagreb striker continues to impress after scoring his 9th Bundesliga goal of the season and perhaps keeping Wolfsburg in the hunt for a Champions League spot by connecting on a Ricardo Rodriguez cross in the 82nd minute of play. Should Ivica start against Brazil in the opening game of the 2014 World Cup?
Ivica Olić goal
Ivan Perišić also started for Wolfsburg and went the distance in the win. The Croatian international finished the match with two shots and picked up a silly yellow card in the 72nd minute of play for a bad foul on Matthias Ostrzolek. Wolfsburg are riding a four match winless streak and will need to get wins against Bremen and Frankfurt to have a chance to pick up a Champions League spot for next season.
Photo: AP/Michael Probst
Mario Mandžukić goes out in the 81st minute of play and Bayern score twice in five minutes to register a 2-0 win over Mainz. Super Mario started but couldn’t get anything going against a pesky Mainz defense and failed to score on any of his five shots in the evening. Bayern did register 28 shots, but a win is a win as the Bavarian Giants hold a 13 point lead atop the Bundesliga table.
PHOTO: EFE/EPA/BERND WEISSBROD
Hamburger SV dropped into the relegation zone after falling to Stuttgart 1-0 on Saturday at Mercedes Benz Arena. Croatia’s Milan Badelj and Ivo Iličević both started for Hamburg and both finished the match with only one shot. Iličević went the distance, while Milan was subbed out in the 80th minute of play. Turkish international Hakan Çalhanoğlu didn’t make it easy on his team after picking up his second yellow card in the 53rd minute of play.
ENGLAND
Nikica Jelavić got the start for Hull City on Saturday and played 84 minutes in a 2-0 win over West Brom. Jelavić had a chance from the spot in the 32nd minute but had his shot to the lower, left corner blocked by the keeper. Luckily for Jelavić, teammate Liam Rosenior headed home the rebound for the 1-0 lead. Hull scored once again six minutes later and even though Jelavić couldn’t find the back of the net, he worked tiredlessly throughout the match. Hull City remain eight points out of a relegation spot and are safe at the moment.
Jelavić penalty miss @0:21
Dejan Lovren and Southampton were shocked by Tottenham at White Hart Lane Sunday after going up 2-0 inside half an hour. It looked as if the Saints would pull off another big win this season, however, Spurs’ Christian Eriksen would equalize for the home side; scoring in the 31st minute and then again in the opening minute of the second half. Lovren and company would hold the Tottenham offense at bay for the rest of the second half until Gylfi Sigurdsson’s game winner in injury time. Lovren covered the pitch well in his 90 minutes but was only given a ‘5’ grade from Skysports.com as he was “all over the place in the second half. Was he injured?”
Niko Kranjčar got the start for QPR on Saturday and played 61 minutes in a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough. Kranjčar finished the game with two shots before being subbed off. QPR scored twice in injury time for an amazing win which pulls them 10 points behind Burnley for automatic promotion back into the Premiership.
UKRAINE
Darijo Srna and Shakhtar Donetsk were shocked by Ivan Strinić’s Dnipro side in a 2-0 loss Saturday in Donetsk. Srna played the full 90 minutes and was not at fault for either goal while Eduardo came into the match in the 74th minute. Strinić played the full match in the shutout while teammate Nikola Kalinić remained on the bench. With the loss, Shakhtar open up the flood gates for the rest of the league as Dynamo Kiev only trails the leaders by one point with Dnipro now three points behind Shakhtar.
Dynamo Kiev moved up the Ukrainian ranks with a 4-0 win over Met. Zaporizhzhia. Domagoj Vida played the full 90 minutes while Ognjen Vukojević came off the bench in the 78th minute. It will be a dog fight down the stretch in Ukraine with the top three teams separated by only three points.
Italy
Inter Milan’s Champions League hopes looked to have come to an end after a 2-1 loss at home to Atalanta on Sunday. Former Dinamo Zagreb prospect, Mateo Kovačić, came off the bench in the 82nd minute and finished the match without a shot. The Croatian international failed to start in the last six Serie A matches, but managed to come off the bench late in the second half in four of those matches. Inter is now 11 points back of Napoli for the final Champions League spot with nine games left in the season. Marko Livaja failed to get off the bench in the win.
Josip Radošević looked on from the bench as Napoli lost 1-0 at home to Fiorentina on Sunday. Ante Rebić is still recovering from injury and was left off the roster sheet by Fiorentina in the win. Igor Bubnjić and Ivan Kelava continue to ride the bench as Udinese shutout Sassuolo 1-0 on Sunday. Frano Mlinar was left off the roster sheet by Udinese. Šime Vrsaljko is still out because of injury and missed Genoa’s 1-1 draw against Parma on Sunday. Tin Jedvaj looked on from the bench as Roma beat Chievo 2-0 on Saturday.
FRANCE
Danijel Subasic was between the pipes on Sunday for AS Monaco’s 1-1 draw at home against Lille. Subasic performed well, making three saves for his side and he was not at fault for Lille’s goal. With Paris Saint-Germain winning over the weekend, Monaco falls further behind in the race for the Ligue 1 title. They remain in second, now a nearly insurmountable ten points behind PSG.
Save: 1:35, Goal: 1:45, Save: 2:15
RUSSIA
Vedran Corluka played the full match in Lokomotiv Moscow’s routine 3-0 home win over Ural on Saturday. Loko now hold a three point lead over Zenit St. Petersburg at the top of the Russian Premier League.
Stipe Pletikosa was in net as Rostov scored twice in the final two minutes to earn a 3-3 draw against Amkar Perm on Friday. Pletikosa got a hand on Amkar’s first goal but could not keep it out and was beaten from a narrow angle by Fengor Ogude for Amkar’s second. Rostov moves to eighth in the Russian Premier League with the draw.
Goals: 0:25, 1:25, 1:55
Next Matches:
Tuesday, 3/25
Bayern München at Hertha BSC, Wolfsburg at Werder Bremen
Wednesday, 3/26
Hull City at West Ham United, Freiburg at Hamburger SV, Lazio at Genoa, Livorno at Atalanta, Milan at Fiorentina, Napoli at Catania, Real Madrid at Sevilla
Thursday, 3/27
Udinese at Internazionale
Saturday, 3/29
Hull City at Stoke City, Newcastle United at Southampton, Monaco at Evian TG, Atalanta at Bologna, Sevilla at Celta de Vigo, Rayo Vallecano at Real Madrid
Sunday, 3/30
Hamburger SV at Borussia M’gla…, Genoa at Hellas Verona, Juventus at Napoli, Spartak Moskva at Lokomotiv Moskva, Rostov at Rubin Kazan’, Dynamo Kyiv at Dnipro, Shakhtar Donetsk at Metalist
~Ante Kvartuč and Denis Svirčić reporting from sunny Southern California, Zach Gilfix reporting from Minneapolis, MN
um, no….Serb Subasic happens to be a serb. No issue at all of him being from Zadar, errrr Bjezigrad. No biggie.
As I have mentioned, serbs playing for the repka is not an issue for me. Miladin Prso played proudly for the repka and he is a serb or orthadox hrvat, however you want to word it. But, remember that next time you wonder why not too many guys from the repka came out and backed Suspension Joey for his actions.
My only point about Corluka’s STDs are that his health can impact his play.
Good Point Chopper
I’m from Zadar, far from being a Serb.
@Ziva: buddy, you still didn’t explain how Corluka std thing is going to effect the national team and the way they play? And how is Corluka’s std in comparison to you mentioning Klasnic health problem. Klasnic has a kidney transplant idiot
What’s with the negativity against Subasic? So if you’re born in Zadar then you get labelled a serb??!! Geez, I wonder what you think of Prosinecki then. Stipe is passed it and the sooner Subasic starts in goal, the better for the repka.
@Poglavnik:
Hysterical.
Anyone else think Corluka may have given Ziva istina STD’s?
Dude just won’t drop it! 😉
I see you back tracking on your Pletikosa comments. I guess you had time to think about your comments. Again, if Pletikosa has under performed for the repka, than i would love to know who has actually performed. Yes, he is getting older, but nothing from his past performances suggests he is declining.
I never said i was against Serb Subasic playing for us. We had Miladin Prso play for us, so no reason Serb Subasic could not.
Pletikosa, should be captain of Cro this summer.
I will correct myself. Pletikosa has been extremely consistent. I think he was hurt during Euro 2004 right?? We had that other bum goalie. I remember Pletikosa didn’t start against England at Wembley for WC 2010 qualifications, we had the backup and lost 5-0. But I still believe he is an ok goalie. But we gotta get Subasic more playing time. I don’t give a fuck if he’s half serbian or whatever, if he wants too play for us, and he is good, that is cool with me
@Ziva
I’m an idiot? Your comparing Klasnic’s kidney transplant to Corluka’s std? Are you fucking serious dude? Your a fucking moron. Yea someone got herpes so thats gonna effect his performance on the pitch? Whats worst, Corluka having an std or Klasnic having a fucking kidney transplant? I’m not even going back and forth with you, say whatever you want, your an idiot, plain and simple.
What I said about Pletikosa is my own opinion. He is old. Were going to need a new goalie soon. Thats that
@Stipe…………..and you don’t have a clue about soccer if you think Pletikosa has played below average as a GK. I’ll let the other posters chime in on this, but you have no clue about soccer if that is what you think. Shit, if Pletikosa is below average, then the entire team is terrible going by your logic. Where again did you play? Some directional school? Good lord the idiocy.
I have no fascination with Corluka’s cock. I’m afraid he does with all the damage and disease he has brought to it. I think the health of our players is important when discussing what they can do on the pitch. just like Klasnic’s medical condition was an issue when he played. Nothing more than that.
@ Ziva;
What do you have a fascination with Corluka’s cock? your fucking gay. Back to my point of Pletikosa, yea he has played since like 2001-2002. Yes he starts all the time, we don’t have too worry about who our goalie is going to be, but you know what? He is old, sooner or later we are going to have too worry about who are next goalie is going to be. Pletikosa for the national team is a below average goalie. Average at best.
another comment from Ivica
proljev
Geez.
Another Ćorluka STD comment from Živa.
Proljev.
People being critical of Pletikoa. Unreal!!!!
What’s next???? People going to praise Rakitic for excelling with the repka? Or going to claim that Corluka is STD-free?????
Lets get real people!!!
There are still people that criticize Pletikosa despite the fact he’s been our most consistent yet underrated player.
It’s bizarre, I tell you. Simply bizarre.
Pletikosa, is a stud for the national team.
Are you talking about Pletikosa’s club career or his international career, because the two are different and should be separated. I don’t care how he plays on the club level, he has shown that he plays very well for the repka. Who has been more consistent than Pletikosa on the repka? He is the least of our worries. there are plenty of other problems on that team and he is not one of them. I rather have him than Serb Subasic starting right now.
@Aron…..I am a fan of the repka and it didn’t hurt me at all. I enjoyed the loss to Scotland because I knew that would be the end of Strucnjak Stimac. Hell, I was cheering for it to happen and was delighted when we lost to Scotland and how the game unfolded.
@Ziva
I don’t disagree that we needed the loss against Scotland to drive out that useless bastard Stimac and put some life back into the repka, but as a fan it still hurt to watch our boys get beat by such a vastly inferior team. Not to mention the amount of gloating I had to deal with coming from my wife’s direction. She’s proud of her Scottish heritige alright lol.
wow stipe im really not the most knowledgeable guy when it comes to soccer but i have followed repka for plenty long time to know stipe is about as solid as it comes when playing for the repka. maybe his club career is not that great i don’t know, but i sure as shit rakitic could play as shitty like pletikosa does for the repka
@ Ziva Istina:
yea your right, he is consistent. He is an artifact. He was below average goalie his whole entire career.
SHAME !!
Never came up big????? He has been the most consistent player on the repka. GK is the least of our worries. Serb Subasic is the backup, but Stipe is the #1.
@jm……how can you want Second Choice Sertich. Dude ain’t a hrvat.
Anyone here think Pletikosa will start as goalie in the World Cup? He’s getting up their in age, and he really never came up big for us…
@ ziva
as a person who wants sertic to play, especially considering it fills a gaping hole, i am also shocked my croatia’s inability in 1yr plus to get him on the team. so you already take a country with a small declining population and limited financial resources, and you combo it with the ineptitude of not even contacting potential candidates that want to play for cro (i.e drmic) and the ones you have on your radar, not managing to get eligible in over 1 yr +. why doesn’t croatia just tie a leg behind their back and enter an ass kicking contest
See,I did a typo too,I meant Sphincter.
@ ziva
i don’t know if its better for saric financially. the nba is not about your rookie contract, but your next contract. the sooner saric gets to the nba, the sooner he could get off the rookie pay scale. and if he develops into a solid player, that could mean much much more money than he could make in europe
Yea I do agree with the reffing in the Classico game, it was horrible. I gotta admit it, I hate Messi with a passion, for no reason at all, I just do not like him. I am not a fan of Messi at all. But he really is the best futbol player in the world, no question about it. Andres Iniesta is awesome too. I’ve always known Messi and Iniesta were great. But those two, Cristiano Ronaldo, they are in a class of their own. I like Iniesta tho, I love the way he plays. I think Iniesta is just as important as Messi is in that Barcelona team. Not trying to turn this into a spic thing lol…just had to get that off my chest I guess
Anyone else think the reffing in that Classico (not the Eternal Derby) was fucking atrocious!?
I don’t think any of those penalties should have been given,
I realize that’s not an easy game to ref, but some of the other shit with Pedro on Pepe and Fabregas, man!
I feel bad for Sergio Ramos too.
Son, you did a typo, I know you mean ” Ombuttsman” as you are the King Sphinkter on the site.
What do I do??? I am the ombudsman of Croatian society. That in itself is a full time job.
@ Ziva Istina: it was real college, oh I’m sorry. A University. You want to keep going back and forth with me?? It seems to me all you do is keep up with the HNL. Like what do you do? fucking fantasy HNL youth team leagues or something? haha
that is how bad things are for jadan i mali hajduk……..the person who put up the most fight from the jadan i mali hajduk side on Saturday was a 70-something year old man with a bad heart.
Pedro Morales vs Don Zimmer-esque battle
If bego would have connected with any force, the BBB should have made him an honorary member.
Ivo Bego should be banned as he instigated this but they won’t do that. Oh well fun times at poljud.
Well, to be fair. Ivo Bego should also be banned. It takes two to tango and Bego was a willing participant.
Bego has never done something like this before, so he does deserve to get a second chance. have to give credit to the old man, he is only a few years removed from a heart attack.
Mamic can’t attend Torcida games anymore since he fought Ivo Bego
So, FIFA approves Julian Green’s request to play for the USA in a matter of days. But, FIFA has done nothing regarding Second Choice Sertich’s request to play for Cro. Not that I’m complaining about it, because I don’t want this frenchman anywhere near the repka, but it goes to show you the ineptitude our savez has.
Looks like Dario Saric will be staying in Europe for at least another season, maybe more.
http://www.24sata.hr/kosarka/saric-je-ipak-odustao-od-nba-efes-mu-nudi-osam-milijuna-359063
If the financial figures are true in this report, then its a no-brainer. He wouldn’t make that much money in his first three years in the NBA. Assuming he goes #10 in the draft, he would make around $6.3 million over the first three years of his NBA deal. The contract with Efes would pay him $11 million. So, he would make $5 million more over a three year span. Now, I’m sure there is some sort of out-clause in that contract, but he would make more money staying in Europe.
If Radošević stayed at Hajduk, he’d probably be our answer as that tough holding midfielder in Brazil.
But he went to Napoli’s bench for that half million Euro salary.
Hurts the repka, but was a good financial choice for a kid who could’ve been an injury away from selling kukuruz on the Riva in Split for the rest of his life. Now, he’s got a guaranteed 2 million Euro contract.
The win-win solution for both the repka and the player is for Hajduk to weed out the crooks, and gain enough financial stability to pay these youngsters, so they can hold onto them longer and sell them when they’re ready. But this is easier said then done.
@an……but, the parents and agents are not looking at it from what is best for the repka. They are looking at it what is best for their client. Getting paid and making some money beats the alternative of being stuck in the cro league and not getting anything.
Approx 60% of the players in Cro don’t get paid on time or at all in the Cro league. Think about that. Take away Dinamo and their minnow club Lokomotiva, that means a majority of the other clubs are unable to pay their players on time. No wonder why these kids will leave as soon as they can. Even more so when the parents and agensts/mamangers are pushing for them to leave, so they can get a cut of the money. Remember, unlike American sports where a player has to pay the fees of the agent, in Europe it works the other way. The clubs have to pay agent fees.
@Armada
I agree with you completely and Ziva but only problem is long term for this players. We have some incredible talent in Italy and it is rotting away. I look at it from the perspective what is best for our national team. Not good heading into Brazil and so many of these players just sit game in and game out.
Re: scoring and not celebrating…I think this all depends on the player, his former relationship with the team and with how he wants to be perceived. lets analyze Adebayor vs Dudu….one is a complete degenerate moron, self centered Ballotelli’ish punkass and the other a very well respected person. If he doesn’t want to celebrate scoring its just a sign of respect…the fact that he’s talking about scoring against Brazil is a good thing, I believe he’d do everything possible to score…he still wants to prove he’s a great player!
Why anyone thinks scoring on their previous team means they have to celebrate is strange…when Dudu was at Arsenal they treated him with a lot of respect after his injury…should he start sliding around the field after he scores on them looking like an idiot?
Stipe looked awful!
@an
but when you come from a family with nothing, I think having some $$$ to buy a nice house, take care of debt, buy a new car, etc. matters more than seeing if you kid ‘develops properly’.
@Ziva
true but the problem is receiving no game time does not help in development, it might be HNL but still better than sitting on a bench in serie A but at the end of the day like you say money rules and they will go where they are being paid very well
As long as the pay checks clear, then Serie A. They pay better. And for many parents and agents, that is the most important thing.
What would people rather have for the kids in Italy. Practicing and developing with quality Serie A teams or playing in HNL?
@Stipe……well good for you. Was it to a real college or one of these directional schools where any idiot can get into?
Plus, nobody called us favorites to win the Euros after we upset Germany. Dark horse, yes. But not a favorite.
@Anon…….remember, losing to Scotland was the best thing that ever took place to the repka. The fans were turning on the team well before that, the losses forced Mamic to remove his hand picked candidate as coach, and the players got the kick in the ass (plus an easy playoff opponent) they needed.
@ Stipe
You’re absolutely right. I’m more worried about Mexico as well for the same exact reason you mention. It’s typical for us to play like crap against weak opponents and to look like champions when we play strong teams like Spain, Italy, Germany or Brazil. I wish we could just step up one day and give the weaker teams 5-0 thrashings like they deserve.
Losing to Scotland twice is just disgraceful, Strucnjak Stimac or no.
@Ante
I agree with you. You know what the funny thing is, and I know I’m gonna get “Stipe, you do not know anything about soccer, blah blah blah” I’m more worried about the Mexico match than the Brazil match. To the laymen soccer fan who does not know Croatia’s potential, according to them, we don’t have a chance against Brazil right? But real soccer fans know that Brazil is not gonna just walk all over us, ya know? All the pressure is on Brazil, opening game, them hosting. Lets say we tie or even win. Then the whole WORLD is going to be sucking on Croatia’s dick. Remember when we beat Germany 2-1 at the Euro 2008? These so called TV experts called us favorites to win the whole thing.
I’m just saying I’m worried about Mexico more than Brazil. Everyone Hrvat knows, Croatia plays to the level of our opponent. So if we tie Brazil or beat them, I’m worried that the Vatreni are going to take their foot off the pedal against Mexico. That’s just my opinion though.
@Stipe-Yes,all agreed.My guess is that its all sorted with Kovac and him having already spoken about it,but a final call of course is still to be made.
There are many examples that can be given of people having something to prove in this situation and then even giving that bit extra,its human nature to be competetive and prove yourself.Someone with a little class can still do that in a respectful manner.Dont waste your energy explaining it to my son,he was dropped on his head at delivery and its had a profound effect on him.My reverse therapy of regular beatings is slowly helping.
@Ante:
All good. But you need teach your step son a lesson, he is getting out of line….lol just joking
But Ante, Don’t you agree that the whole Dudu not trying or not playing as hard because he does not want to offend Brazil or he is worried about his family’s safety is a little absurd? He is wearing the Croatian Jersey, In my opinion, I think he will try too play his best game of his career against Brazil considering he knows we need him and Olic cause Mandzukic is out. Don’t you agree all this bullshit with him singing two national anthems doesn’t matter in the long run, as long as he plays well?
@ Stipe- I think we ate still misunderstanding each other a little, but I am not as arrogant as my son, so I am happy to accept that I threw you out with my comments . I do tend to rush many of my posts. All good at my end! 🙂
@ BEE:
I CANNOT DISAGREE WITH ANYTHING YOU JUST SAID. YOUR ABSOLUTELY 100% RIGHT. I’VE BEEN SAYING THE SAME THING. WHY WOULDN’T HE NOT WANT TO PLAY HIS HEART OUT IN HIS FIRST WORLD CUP GAME, IN HIS BIRTHPLACE (BRAZIL)???? EVERYTHING YOU SAID IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY BROTHER
I see dudu as a competitor and Brazil being his home country i see him playing with extra ambition and heart in front of his family. Just like in any sport, when a player gets traded and comes back to that city he plays extra hard trying to prove to that ex team that they made a mistake by trading/dropping him. Also players tend to play hard in front of friends and family.
Heck he might play better and harder since its his birthplace, if he gives 100% for Croatia he will give 110% for Brazil, i see him giving it his whole heart trying to prove to his whole country how good he is.
Olic starts and plays 70-75 minutes, dude comes in last 25-30 minutes of the game. Dudu sings both national Anthems, nothing wrong with that at all, we should be honored someone with a different birthplace knows and sings our national anthem for a small beautiful country.
@Ziva Istina: you just mentioning video games proves you probably STILL play video games at 35 years of age or however old you are, loser. I know a lot more of being a competitor, playing soccer since I was six years old, high school soccer, and Division 1 college soccer. Full COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FOR ATHLETICS AND ACADEMICS. Sooo ummmmm yea, I do know ALOT MORE about being a competitor than you do. You wanna keep going?
Raketa has taken that team to another level. We just need to Rakitic to help take the repka to another level.
La Liga just got interesting. Real will still take the title though.
Good to see Sevilla move to fifth. Moving further up and taking fourth place (and the last Champions League spot) away from Athletic Bilbao would be a long shot though. Too bad. It would be nice to see Raketa take that team to another level.
Mamic is no longer allowed in the svecana loza at Poljud. At first when I heard about him beating up Bego (wait, a dinamovac beating a hajdukovac. Nothing new), I was upset that Maminjo did that. Then I saw what happened. Reminded me when Pedro Martinez pushed Zimmer to the ground after Zimmer attacked him. Had to chuckle, even for a little.
Are you great competitor due to playing video games?
@Ante: I’m not an internet “Tuff” guy. I misread your statement. I’m not trying to go back and forth on bullshit.
@Ziva Istina: What do I know about being a competitor? Obviously a lot more than you do, your just a moron lol
I see the Croatian contingent in Italy with another productive weekend.
Ziva Ziva Ziva,its called having some respect for your former club or birth country,thats why people dont generally do it.But,of course ,that is a foreign notion to you and you would do it to Croatia if you had a chance.
I dont know,I keep trying to straighten your moral compass but you are on the same flight path as a Malaysian airliner,who knows where the f#$k you are going.
Friends,What is more likely?
-Croatia Winning the World Cup in Brazil??
-Or Ziva growing a little and not being a ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ with Corlukas STDs.Come on boy,concentrate on the important stuff,or try something new and just stay quiet for a bit.
I’m not saying the Brazilian-born Hrvat will half ass it.
My point is that I never understood the rational of not celebrating a goal against your former club or in this case not celebrating a goal against the country where you were born. When I hear comments like that from players over the years, I shake my head.
In fact, I think a guy who scores against his former team should celebrate in the manner Adebayor did when he scored against Arsenal.
@Stipe-Slight misunderstanding,I didnt actually mean you when I said “son”even though it was right below your post.I was actually talking to my boy Ziva in saying that he is trying a bit too hard with his dudu suff,you know,the heads being chopped off and all that.
Let me know if you do need a “Step dad mentor” and I will see what I can do.Although right now,my hands are pretty full,I will always see what I can do.
Aussie’s goalie against us in the World Cup half assed it. Dudu won’t half ass it. If he would, I could see him pulling a Tim Duncan and sitting out the game. Half assing it in that opening game would be a huge mistake. There’s one last pay check waiting if he has a good showing. And that game has the potential for him, as well as the entire team, to get paid
Friends,
what is more likely to happen in the next few years:
jadan i mali hajduk winning the croatian league or Corluka being STD free for more than a 6-month stretch?
I really couldn’t come up with an answer. Both appear unrealistic to me.
and what do you know about being a competitor?
I’ve witnessed plenty of athletes half ass it.
As for me there is no issue with Dudu and the Brazil game. He knows what team he is playing for. Even if he is 100% Croatian blah blah, what player wouldn’t play their guts out on the opening worldwide nationally televised game for the World Cup? You people who have an issue with De Silva singing two national anthems, and him being worried and not wanting to play hard because of his family’s safety do not know anything about being a competitor.
Didn’t ask if Drmic sucks or not. Same for vlasic, who was openly proud of being Cro but played for Austria. How about the Aussie teams that have Cro’s, any issues with them caring about both?
I’ll take it one step further, seen on this site plenty times who are better Cro’s. Those from US or Canada? Why the fuck do any of you care about US or Canada???
Samo bila you are an idiot.
Drmic sucks. Scores 2 goals in a friendly and know he’s good. Switzerland can have him.
Bego fighting Mamić for running his mouth is the best. Mamic thinks he can do what he wants. 300k fans attended hajduk home games so far. How many for dinamo??? Not even close. Shows you who has the real fans.
For those having an issue that Dudu would sing both anthems, do you have the same issue with Drmic and Gavranovic doing it?
There is something in Ramos and Lovren that has them be too aggressive as CB’s.
Whether he touched Neymar or not? Just let him go and keep Madrid with 11 players!
Alonso should have been subbed off as he looked tired.
Modric not present enough up the pitch.
Benzema scored two BUT missed 3 Mandžukić “type” goals.
Jebi ga focus on la decima.
Dudu against Brazil in Brazil is not a good look. Logical arguments are meaningless with this situation.
@Ante: Son? LMAO. I’m trying too hard with this Dudu stuff? You know I am right. The only reason I brought it up is because there are 30 other posts above mine saying how Dudu is going to be scared for his families’ sake and safety and not try too hard against Brazil. THAT IS THE ONLY REASON I BROUGHT UP ALL THAT INFO.
Son,you have been ok,but you are trying too hard with the above Dudu stuff.Its like you are clutching at straws.Have a nice Kamilica and think of some good stuff.
ANYONE HERE WHO THINKS THAT DUDU IS NOT OR WILL NOT TRY HIS VERY BEST TO SCORE AGAINST BRAZIL ARE INSANE!!!!!!!!!! This guy is professional futbol player ya know?
You guys think Niko Kovac and Dudu haven’t already had this conversation about this particular game against Brazil? Especially the fact that we will not have Mandzukic in that game.
How many major international competitions did Dudu play in for Croatia? And lets not count the Under 21’s and Under 17’s. He practically came up with Modric and Corluka, that generation. Well Dudu didn’t play in World Cup 2006. He didn’t play in Euro 2008 because he was hurt. He didn’t play in World Cup 2010 because we did not qualify. This is going to be Dudu’s first World Cup!!!! Modric played a little bit in WC 2006, but I’m still considering this as Modric’s first World Cup as well ya know? Only major national competition Dudu played in was Euro 2012, and he did not even play as much if I remember correctly. Yes, he played a lot of qualification games for us, BUT only one major tournament for Croatia, Euro 2012.
And for anyone who thinks that Dudu is not going to try hard because his family back in Brazil will get harmed? C’mon. Remember World Cup 2006? Semi-finals between France and Brazil. France wins 1-0. Henry scored off a set piece if i recall, who was suppose to defend Henry on that set piece? Roberto Carlos!!!! What was Roberto Carlos doing instead of defending Henry and stopping him from scoring? He was tying his cleats!!!!!!!!!!!!! An untied shoelace cost Brazil a chance to beat France. So as far as people going after his family if Dudu scores and we win, I doubt he is worried about it.
Dudu is all we have in that Brazil game. I love Olic, always have. Unbelievable work ethic. Olic plays his heart out, gives 110% every game. But lets be honest, we will be lucky to get 75 minutes out of Olic in the first game.
And for anyone who thinks we do not have a chance to beat Brazil, go fuck yourselves.
Bice Bolje.
@Ivica. Mamic is a fucking gypsy jew he doesn’t give a damn about Dinamo or Croatia, all he cares about is MONEY.
.
One thing I do agree with Ziva on is that Hajduk should be commended for at least playing that homegrown talent.
Not sure what Dinamo is trying to do by playing these two-bit mediocre foreign players (ie. Fernandes, Cleyton, etc) over their homegrown players like Halilovic and Brozovic.
Dinamo would win the title either way. They’re not going to make money off of the on-loan Fernandes, the washed up Cleyton, or these other two-bit players like Lee Addy, Pinto, Lima, and Sare. They didn’t even make anything off of Sammir and they hurt Kovacic’s development while doing so too.
I dunno man.
@Ziva
is that a ziva imposter the last two post, u can do better, Mama istina must have not fed u this morning
Ohh. No. There has been much “stupider” stuff written (by the way, is stupider a word).
I’m just trying to find a way to justify the Brazilian-born hrvat’s inclusion. Sometimes an emotional edge can carry a team.
@Ziva Istina says:
or you can look at it from point of view…..we may get the benefit of the sympathy factor.
Imagine if the Brazilian-born hrvat comes in the game, scores the game winner……and then because of it, crazy idiots kill his immediate family. His mother and father and killed and other members have their heads cut off……Imagine the reaction around the world. It would be one of disgust, right? But sympathy to him. Plus, the repka would gain followers and sympathy because of it. Long-term, it could be to our advantage.
Maybe we do need the Brazilian-born hrvat to play.
Probably the stupidest thing ive heard you say on this sight, and we can find days and days worth of stupid shit youve written for attention. Just when I thought you couldnt get any lower, you completely outdo yourself. You should be proud, but more importantly, your parents should be proud for miserably failing you.
So, what did we learn this week in the world of Croatian soccer? We learned jadan i mail hajduk is still jadan i mali. But, I encourage them to keep playing the homegrown youth.
We learned that Mamic is a bigger idiot that we imagined. What a slejacina. But, the savez will take no actions against him.
So, the status quo remained the status quo. And the people who run the league wonder why the public in cro doesn’t give a shit.
or you can look at it from point of view…..we may get the benefit of the sympathy factor.
Imagine if the Brazilian-born hrvat comes in the game, scores the game winner……and then because of it, crazy idiots kill his immediate family. His mother and father and killed and other members have their heads cut off……Imagine the reaction around the world. It would be one of disgust, right? But sympathy to him. Plus, the repka would gain followers and sympathy because of it. Long-term, it could be to our advantage.
Maybe we do need the Brazilian-born hrvat to play.
@Jarac
Sure. Nothing ‘may’ happen to Dudu, and nothing ‘may’ happen to his family if he scores a goal that influences the result. But when it comes to South Americans and football, anything can happen.
Diego Costa and his family went through hell just because he declared to play for Spain after living there for the past 10 years. Scolari was even calling for the Brazilian government to revoke his citizenship (WTF?!). They’re all insane over there when it comes to football. Could you imagine the reaction if some late Dudu goal cost Brazil the game and pushed them to second place (to face Spain in the round of 16?
Even though it’s completely unlikely that we win this game, (and even more unlikely that super-inefficient Dudu scores) I highly doubt things would be ‘fine’ for Dudu and his family if it were to happen.
He knows this, and no doubt this would cause him to be hesitant during the match. No way I would play him.
Oh please Cico. The excuses start again. Sramota.
I am here ! Not a great win mr. Ante Bbb . A questable penanl & an emtey netter ! Big Deal !! Nothing to be so Proud of ! U Yakkees of the HNL Won !big Deal !! I heard your Great Mamic started a fight with a Old Good Hajduk Player ! SRAMOTA ! Class Act ! U Tell Me HOW our Bili Can win with A Crooket Leauge like This ? No chance ! Have Fun Celabrating a Fake Championship with your International Team !! Sounds like Sour Grapes ,but come On , no 1 , i Mean no 1 can win win this League when U have the Money & Bulleyes like YOUR Mamic/dinamo !! Have Fun my Freind ! Just Remember , Hajduk is Class & Always Will Be !! It is not the Fans Fault that we we Run by Mismanagement !! Torciada i Hajduk 4 Life !! Bog !!!
@Ivica
completely wrong, dudu will play in the first match, especially due to Mandza no playing first game. Nothing will happen to dudu if he scores against his birth country. My only point of posting it was to show the dudu lovers who said he is as big of a hrvat as other “real” hrvati on the team, looks like he is a real brazillian to me and croatia just happened to be a good fit for him nothing more nothing less.
Dudu will prolly not feature against Brazil. I have a feelin’ their gonna keep things all Cro, just like they did in the Serbia matches.
Olic scored today and he is our best option against Brazil. Come to think of it, he is our only option.
Jelavic’s woes continue with his penalty miss. Dude can’t seem to buy a bucket.
Belgium do have more depth then we do.
Formation for Brazil….well…Pletikosa–Corluka, Schifo, Lovren, Strinic–Modric, Badelj–Srna, Rakitic, Pranjic–Olic.
Put Srna and Pranjic in mid-field for some balance. They can drop back and defend as well.
That’s all for tonite. “Alright, Goodnight”
Cicooooooooo di siiiiiii
@Jarac
What do you expect? Dudu is Brazilian. Nothing wrong with singing their anthem.
But I do believe him when he says he would not celebrate a goal against Brazil. Actually…he’d be a fool if he even tried to score on his country. He still has family there, and Brazilian hooligans are bloodthirsty when it comes to football. His family would NO DOUBT be in trouble if he scored on Brazil and it somehow resulted in them not winning the game. He would pretty much close the door on him finishing his playing career in Brazil as well (something he’s really interested in) if he somehow scored in this opening game.
Without a doubt, Eduardo will not give his 100 percent against Brazil (nor should he) as there are more important things in life than a football match. For this reason alone, I pray that Niko Kovac isn’t stupid enough to play him.
for those of u who think dudu is a hrvat
http://slobodnadalmacija.hr/Sport/Nogomet/tabid/84/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/239360/Eduardo-da-Silva-Pjevat-u-dvije-himne.aspx
#sammir nije damir
What would be the starting 11 for Croatia against Brazil barring no injuries , obviously so mandzukic , what formation and what player in each position against Brazil ? Anyone? Thanks
Slavonac,bang on about belgium.
Mandzukic and Olic do not play midfield (vezni red)
Yaaawn
Im not the Izbornik but calling a 23 should not be hard especially the coach of Croatia i see it like this,
Golmani -Pletikosa Subasic 3rd keeper are going
Obrana- Srna Corluka Lovren Schildenfeld Vrsaljko Pranjic Strinic
Vezni-Modric Rakitic Kovacic Perisic
Mandzukic Olic
Thats 16 spots 7 more spots the way i see it that will go to imo Rebic Ilicevic Badelj Males Jelavic Eduardo Halilovic Brozovic Kranjcar Kramaric will look for spots.
Kovacic on any other team than Inter is also a great player.
@ Živa
It has been a long time coming but agree with you 100%.
A tour guide in the Bizarro land that is Brazil may indeed prove vital.
Just last week a Hrvat was executed in cold blood In Recife I believe.
@ Slavonac
Love the positivite out look.
But I see many more players with Belguim, guys like Vertongen, Miralas, Bruyn,Benteke etc…
Now I will take our top 4 vs there top four but I feel they have more depth.
Good news is for the first time in Modern Croatian history we have a pipeline of young studs.
Belgium will be the first scalp on our ascent.
For now they are over all better.
Modric – Mandžukić – Rakitić – Srna (fresh) will have something to say in Brazil!
Surround them with a couple of solid veterans and young talent and we have enough for sweet 16 aspirations.
@ Ziva Sammir Damir will be their any way to be Tulum Zurka Guide.
The team could use a tour guide once in Brazil, so the Brazilian-born hrvat could prove to have some value. Knowing Corluka, it could be vital vital to have him along to speak Portuguese when purchasing a prostitute.
Belgium is NOT in my opinion superior, would you have said that less than 2 years ago? The have a good team with a few phenomenal players but not better than us…the major difference is they didn’t hire a fuckhead coach that disrupted a very good team with a solid record and a good showing at the Euro’s. How much different is this team than the Euro team? If you ask me we have better players now, the fucked up part is we lost our unity, trust in each other, lack of game plans and system and our mojo! At the very least Bilic had everyone on the same page and little inconsistency, Stimac destroyed us from the every aspect…I hope we will be united in all aspects by the time the Euro’s begin.
Eduardo has past his time I agree, but of all the subs we have I still think he is the most natural goal scorer of all of them, also, he’s a great person that’s been very respectful of our culture!
I’m not wearing homer glasses, I see Hazard play…he’s incredible but after him and Kompany, Vermaelen maybe Lukaku…they thin out as well!
If we get back to a system everyone buys into and let our best players do what they do and our role players do their job as well, I’m confident we can do well…and I’m certain we are better than Belgium!
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/hajdukovci-i-dinamovci-sve-dalje-od-popisa-za-brazil-kovac-nista-nismo-vidjeli-osim-dobre-atmosfere/735488.aspx
^ ^
I agree about Eduardo.
12 months ago i would have said we have to take him and his poaching skills even if he can only play a half, especially since it’s in Brazil.
Now i feel he’s just too damn slow, and under-used at club level.
Kranjcar>Eduardo, any day!
One year since the Neznalica Stimac beat the Serbs!
I am sick and tired of following players some more than the others i listedon National Team
Vida,Vukojevic,Jelavic,Perisic,Ilicevic(cannot stay healthy),Strinic(He is a LB but hasnt been consistant i dont know.) Kranjcar really i believe hes done.Eduardo-This isnt 2006 thanks for the goals but what can you do know,
id rather have Brozovic Kramaric Halilovic Antolic on team but thats up to Niko Kovac he already said 15 are set imo the 14 are
Pletikosa Subasic-Srna Vrsaljko Carli Lovren Sifo Pranjic Modric Rakitic Kovacic Mandzo Olic Eduardo
@ Slavonac
It is time that we build up our national side to the next level of competition.
It is clear that Belgium demonstrated what it is to have a full squad of class players.
I dream of naša vatreni getting into the “pot 1” of major tournaments.
We have the talent and history to work towards this aim.
When I say 5-7 players I am talking about starlight killers who make impact week in and week out for high level European clubs.
The point is we spend half our time debating who is a less scrub?
I appreciate our boys but to cry murder if Halilovic gets a spot as if someone else is getting screwed is pizda.
We need a solid veteran core and round out the roster with young legs for the future.
Forgive me for this but I feel Eduardo should stay home as he fits into best days behind him and also feel weird seeing him against Brazil. Full respect to his service but he is Brazilian. When Mandžukić returns his minutes toast.
Kovač will have some tough choices but tie needs to go to the next generation. Plus I would rather see Krancjar for 20 minutes then Eduardo.
I am as liberal a Hrvat as they come but let’s be real about who is Hrvat and who is not.
@raketa…..that’s a lot of names. Kovac’s hands are tied when it comes to being able to pick who he wants. A couple of spots are already predetermined by those above him.
So now I am being accuses of a fake account. The guys who run the website can confirm I am not double posting as someone else……
Then we have another ziva imposter.
I think some of you guys sit there (sans fortified basement views) and wait to watch a game to see something so you can come on this website and post, “see, I told you so”. A shame really, you guys should be able to enjoy watching sports and don’t get emotionally attached so easy unless it’s the repka and a big game.
HNL Players who should get looked at by Izbornik IMO
Kramaric
Males
Antolic
Brozovic
Ademi
Halilovic
Pasalic
Milic
IvicA – the incessant question marks are a give away too.
Ziva dosadan si ko proliv. Or lets replace proliv with some of your character traits; narcissist, hypocrite or fraud perhaps. Maybe another sabbatical is in order??????????
There is no doubt in my mind that Halilovic is going to brazil. I mean he can easily fit into olic’s suitcase. 🙂
barce = Ziva
you fucked up by using your signature chevron (^^^^^^^^) symbols
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Storytelling???????
dude you are the biggest storyteller on this site
Watched the boring game today. Hajduk had no chances.
Really sick of seeing Dinamo start bums like Junior Fernandes, and these other mediocre foreign talent in place of our younger, and more talented players. They screwed Kovacic by forcing him to play out of position in favour of that bum Sammir, and now they’re doing it again with guys like Halilovic and Brozovic taking a back seat to these new bums.
Anyway, Halilovic was impressive in the few minutes he received. Really glad to see him play well, expecially in these past few months, despite the irregular minutes and unnecessary ‘Cro vs BiH’ media attention. The talent in this kid is not fool’s gold and the interest from Barcelona confirmed it.
He will get his well deserved callup and we’ll all hear Ziva kicking, screaming and storytelling along the way.
iPhone sucks…Vrsaljko!
5-7? I know we are thin but not that thin! There are several if not all countries that have average or a tad above average players in several positions and they play solid…I think we have at least 4 solid defense and 4 solid midfield and 1 or 2 forwards, our goalie is also solid and has always performed for our team…that leaves a few subs…Jelavic, Dudu, Badelj, Vesaljko…???
6-7? You looking for a starting lineup on Real Madrid?
Halilovic is a young attacking winger. Every country takes their young attacking wingers to the World Cup.
“Earned?”
That is based on level of play-position-current group of players.
If the kid produced anymore I would say he earned a STARTING spot.
Perišić hasn’t produced since Brussels and continues to underwhelm at Wolfsburg and has started for the repka.
I say we drop the arrogance and take it one player at a time.
We still do not have a squad of world class players.
Everyone can have a Fanta and smile and chill out!
After a core 5-7 players the rest need to “earn” their spots.
Yeah man, you and I both want him to “earn a spot” Ziva but the way things are looking it seems as if the coach is going to have a hard enough time filling the roster rather than choosing one! Maybe both Pasalic and Halilovic are better options than guys that haven’t played since 2013?
I’d hate to have to pick this squad, after the first 13 or 14, the selection seems pretty shitty!
All tur
Rue, except th little bosandzero is not getting big minutes at dinamo. He came in garbage time time.
No doubt in my mind he will better than any of our options, but I want a see a kid earn his spot and not have it gift wrapped for him. If we are going to give a spot to a kid with potential, then Pasalic deserves it much more at this point. Either way, the little bosandzero is going to Brazil.
Regarding Halilovic…based on our current roster, players that are playing abroad and the many that are not getting any playing time whatsoever I’m not convinced he would be a poor option right now. I haven’t seen many of our players other than the starting 11 playing regularly for their teams…this really does matter and will definitely be a major part of Kovac’s decision making approaching the World Cup! Halilovic is too inexperienced but he’s playing, who else other than 14 or 15 players would we consider a sure bet? If he makes the team we can all say it was because of Mamic, I’d like to know who else has proven they are a “reliable” or “sure bet” we should count on?
I’ve previously said I never watch the Croatian league but I do watch certain teams with Croatians. As of right now I wouldn’t even consider players like Perisic (although he does play…but like shit in my opinion) much of a great part of our squad!
If things remain the same end if May, I wouldn’t care either way if Halilovic was on the team because I just don’t see many other players keeping him off the roster….as I’ve already said, I don’t watch the Croatian league but I do read the news…can anyone name 6 non standard players that would keep him off the team?
Ummmm, no.
But, good try.
Ziva is many things, but not what you descibed.
i find it interesting that ziva insists of mentioning halilovic going to the world cup in nearly everyone of his posts now. it is clear his desperation for ego and attention is coming out again. he really wants to make sure everyone knows he thinks this, so that if it happens he can gloat about it forever
Slavonac, Ciro is joking. He said his tetak is a partisan. hahahaha
There is no blood relation to a tetak. hahahaha
hahahahhahha Man is a genius.
Best part of the non-derby today is that Mamic got into a fist fight with hajduk legend Ivo Bego (1955-1965). The man is about 78 years old.
The saga continues.
@slavonac
Ciro needs to go an old age home. Dude is embarrassing and has lost it.
Uffff, this time I think Ciro shit the bed with his comment about Simunic’s tetak! I think the old fart has completely lost it! I wonder what Simunic has to say about Ciro calling his tetak a Partizan?
Poor cico is having another meltdown.
Love that Halilovic is going to Brazil!
Quit being such a hater Ziva!
Who’s spot is he taking that is soooo worthy over him?
Vrsaljko, Radosevic, Badelj, Ilicevic, Males, Vukojevic, Benko?
I’m pretty sure we’d all be way more excited to see Halilovic come off the bench than any of those players, for example.
Not gonna lie … Couldn’t care less about who won today.
More interested in seeing highlights / vids and mamic’s subsequent post match interview regarding the scrap in the VIP loza.
LOL
This game also showed how shitty the HNL is. A bad Dinamo team in 1st place and a horrid Hajduk team in 2nd or maybe 3rd place later. No quality what so ever.
The good ol days are truly missed
I kad gube I kad tuku uvjek vjerni svom hajduku
Have no fear about my fellow hajdukovci, this game started so early in the US that all of the lazy dalmos ate still sleeping.
This game showed Hajduks true form. Cant even hang with a what i would call a bad Dinamo team. Deserved victory on Dinamos behalf.
The little bosandzero getting garbage minutes in this game. Man, I hate it that this kid gets to go to Brazil because Mamic said so. Because his play on the field has not warranted a call up. But, what Mamic wants, he gets.
DINAMO!
(Can’t wait to hear the hajduk faithful complain about the following: the refs, weather, coffee, Zagreb, Purgeri, youth, stranci, the colors blue and chartreuse, etc.)
@Colin,
so true considering he just came into the game
Halilovic!! With the easiest goal of his career!
Bravo Dinamo.
i dont care where any of our players go, as long as they perform for the repka.
I don’t know about any of you, but lookin’ at this chelsea v arsenal 6-0 score line, I sure as hell wouldn’t want Mandzukic joining arsenal.