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 to do so. The Vatreni held their ground and disabled Spain’s flowing ball movement in midfield for the entire first half, applying proper pressure and holding a high line. When balls were played down the flanks and through the middle, it was always met with discipline and physicality. With coach Slaven Bilić starting the match with only one striker in Mario Mandžukić, we can assume that he was ecstatic with the 0-0 halftime score line.
Rakitić denied by Iker Casillas
It was then in the 59th minute that Luka Modrić broke free down field and created the best chance of the game (for either team) as he whipped in a cross to a wide open and streaking Ivan Rakitić on the back post. The Sevilla man connected with the header but Real Madrid goalie Iker Casillas made an amazing save to keep the game scoreless. Many have already blamed Rakitić for not doing better on the chance but you have to credit Casillas as well. If he scores on the play, Croatia is surely packing their bags for a quarterfinal tie instead of debriefing before vacation. Bilić would bring in some firepower in the 66′ with Nikica Jelavić and Ivan Perišić coming off the bench, but it just would not be.
Vedran Ćorluka was pulled down in the box with no penalty call and Perišić couldn’t do better with an open long-range shot on goal. Spain would score in the dying minutes without a response and Croatia would be sent home, on the highest of notes. The team should be proud of their play and know that they hung with the world’s best all the way to the end. The confidence this group of players gained from this tournament should translate into big wins during World Cup 2014 qualifying, which starts in September.
Can we finally set concrete expectations for this group of Croatian players after their performance at Euro 2012?
Croatian fans in Gdansk were ready to go through
There must have been something in the air Monday night in Gdansk as many Croatians were confident of a result which would put Croatia into the Euro quarterfinals. We still have the best fans in the world, to this day, fines or no fines.
Sweetie ha good one, nice little weak insults you pull there. Maybe if you knew how to promote your work better, I wouldn’t make a quick assumption.
Da sam ja lozija momacad bilibismo Euro Sampioni slusajate
Kelava-Vrsaljko Joe Vida Ibanez -Chago Callelo- Kovacic Badelj Sammir(C) Rukavina. Jeli vam jasno svima e tek onda bi svi vidjeli pravu HRVATSKA HNK CROATIA!!!!!!!!
What time are we playing against France tommorow lol .
@Maminjho
LOL
Yeah my brother in law moved onto getting excited over the u19 tourney after we were eliminated. I’ll be sure to tune in thanks.
@ Mkez00 in less than 2 weeks our under 19 team is playing Kovacic is captain you can go online and follow how he and they perform Serbia France England is their group.
I couldn’t help think during the Spain game how fortunate Xavi and Iniesta are to have each other in midfield. I then thought how nice it would be to have a Modric clone in midfield for him to play next to.
Given that, from what little I’ve seen of Mateo Kovacic he appears to have the same ball control and vision of Modric, but is inconsistent with his passing. For the hardcore HNL and Dinamo watchers, how far off do you think Kovacic is from being included in the senior squad? It would be great if these two could be paired up eventually on the NT assuming Kovacic turns into the player he is projected to become.
@ Zbogom,Bilicu ti si lazov i ja tebe pamtim kao lazov i opet si ode napravija predstavu na ovaj forum, ti si monstrum i stalno lazes, ti si mucki provokator.
Excuse me, nor officials nor payers…
You needed a goal from appx. 30 minutes in, so how does switching to an attack formation appx. 30 minutes later give you a chance to win? Had he switched earlier, the risk would have been greater but the chances to get a goal would have been greater as well. Either way, you’re going home. The Spaniards rip you 3-0 or 1-0, what’s the difference?
Playing for a 0-0 tie (“containing” Spain) in a game which you needed to score in gave Bilic an alibi. That’s it. He gets to say: “Ljudi moji, sto hocete? Izgubili smo 1-0 protiv svjetskog i europskog prvaka.” He moves on to Lokomotiva with no blood on his shirt, and Croatia goes home feeling “proud.”
They even planned a welcome-home party on Jelacic square. Can you believe it? A welcoming party for a team that exited in the group stage!!! Thank God nobody from HNS showed. Nor team nor players.
What a joke.
@Miro,
Agreed, I won’t be watching any either. I haven’t watched a second of soccer since that “loss” and I won’t for the rest of the tournament. What remains to be seen is whether or not my interest will be piqued again during WCup Qualifiers and the subsequent World Cup in Brazil. As of now, it looks unlikely, but we will see.
Congrats to the boys for leaving it all on the field, too bad it wasn’t in the script for us to move on.
yep, and that was the plan to play the final 15 min or so with extra forwards if we needed a goal. If we went at Spain with the regular lineup, the score would not have been the same.
We finished with 3 forwards on the pitch
The reason they scored was the defense tried to use the offside trap, which didn’t work. So please educate on how you will win with only playing with 1 forward.
Please read my entire reply before jumping on me so fast. Thanks sweetie.
My point is this…it was disappointing how it ended, because we deserved better.
very disappointing Euro? For a guy who is apparently a good writer on the site, you sure have awful expectations. This was an excellent Euro.
Olic has officially retired from the National team:
http://gol.dnevnik.hr/clanak/nogomet/reprezentacije/olic-o-najgorim-tjednima-u-zivotu-ozljedi-hrvatskoj-reprezentaciji.html
@Anonymous…….so you wanted Bilic to use two forwards…….time to educate someone……you do realize that would have put us at a major disadvantage in the MF with one less body. Only way to beat Spain is to stifle them by clogging the middle. Bilic’s tactics were spot on… And when we did go to two forwards late in the game and pressed forward, guess what happened……yep, Spain caught us with a numbers advantage and scored the goal…….never let the facts get in the way of a false argument. If we played our basic 4-4-2 or any other formation with two forwards, we would have had even less possession and probably given up more than one goal.
I don’t know why you care so much about Bilic, he had to win & he played with 1 striker, instead of 2.
Rakitic is a young player with vast potential and room to grow. His ball control and passing need massive work.
This was a very disappointing EURO but did anyone realistically see us making it out of the group without some sort of struggle or controversy?
I don’t know why you care so much about Bilic, he had to win & he played with 1 striker, instead of 2. I won’t miss him and he shouldn’t be the coach playing for a draw with a must win game. Just like in the WC against Turkey he shit the bed.
rakitic fucked up everything he doesnt give us 110% everyone else played hard! he lost all respect sorry as player !
@ Jack I am boycotting the ret of the euro I am not watching like Srna Said these big teams alway need a ref to help them if they are so big why cant thy win alone let platini and his henchmen have a mouthwatering final they ruined my euro i have no more interest to watch.
The refs will always be a problem until video replays are finally introduced. Too many games are ruined by bad calls and by players who spent half the time on the pitch with their arms raised complaining about calls. If we can watch the games in 3D and see instant replays and observe all the mistakes on our tv screens, this notion of purists that video replays can’t be introduced to football is too ridiculous for words.
As for Croatia’s performance, there are many reasons to be proud. They played hard and with purpose and Bilic was finally on the ball tactically (most of the time). Too bad he is now leaving. We should not allow coaches to use the national team to gain experience only to leave when it finally can be put to use.
Mandzukic and Strinic were pleasant surprises, Srna acted finally like a captain. The defense was better than we expected. I agree with those who found Rakitic a disapointment. I also feel his skills have not improved in the past the 4 years and his play strikes me as stagnant and error prone. 4 years ago we could have imagined a dominant midfield of Modric, Rakitic and Kranjcar, but things do not go as planned. I think Perisic had his moments, but I am not sure about him.
In the end, the Italy game was the one we had to win, and if anything that was the tactical failure that cost us.
At least, we leave this tournament on a positive trajectory, without the trauma of the Turkey game that overshadowed the WC qualifying round last time.
Does anyone else have a soccer hangover? I will probably not watch another game of this tournament.
I would have been happy with a win, a draw, and a loss from that group prior to the tournament. However, now I feel like we the victim of another Stark ruined game and the chance at progression.
@Ziva:
I took your advice about MLS. My wife & kids bought be tickets to the RBNY/Sounders game for Father’s Day. If anyone else is there I will be the person wearing a jersey with a Croatian players name on it (CROTCHSNIFFER).
How much would Navas have to “interfere with play” for the referee/linesman to call an offside for the 2nd pass. This leaves a lot for interpretation.
@Ante & Denis:
Thanks for the great coverage as usual. Keep it classy CSR.COM
@ Olic talk
We should have a farewell sendoff for him during one of our friendlies between now and the Macedonia qualifier. Let him play one half, sub him out and at least let the crowd at Maksimir or Poljud give him a nice round of applause for his decade plus of NT duty.
@ Cista Ozalj yeah that was said after 2002 Japan Korea WC that the dark age is coming in croatian football but like you said uvijek se nadu igraci, They had to face fact that the HNL would not produce like the old commie liga so they knew that a semi at a world cup was not happing any thime soon, but since 2002 i think we had solid teams that could have gone to atleast 1/4 if we had smart coachs at that time like a said their is no shame in losing to Spain( Ref and bad luck) then losing to Ecuador Australia for a round of 16 spot, i wish We went to 2010 but again bad luck and lack of talent coast u 2010.Under Bilic luck just didnt find Croatia,
2008 eduardo gets hurt the turkey pain,
2008 England 4-1 R.Kovac red card
2009-Ukraine 2-2 Petric post 90+
2009-England 5-1 Worst lineup eve put by bilic because Modric was hurt Carli red game before, no obrana my god Srna Joe Krizanac Pokrivac was the back 4.
2010-2012 Qualifying ups and downs but managed to qualify and he believed in scifo and strinic and it payed off steta Fuck UEFA AND REFS. Bilci did a great Job unlike the other 2002 2004 and 2006 coached who all had a ok group but Fucked up.
The only way to move forward is to keep adding young talent – Jebiga, back in ’98 after the zlatna generacija finished 3rd, I don’t know how many pametnjakovic’s said we won’t see Hrvatska make any sort of competition for another 20 years – who knew of Modric, Srna and co. back then? We always find a way to produce new talent
Quote of the day:
“We showed other teams how to play against Spain – but we forgot about the referee,” Srna is quoted in the Daily Star.
No Sammir please. Is Da Silva staying? Thats two Brazilians are you kidding me?
@jm
We really could have used Olic coming off the bench against Italy and Spain. All the best to him in his remaining years of football and life.
Please keep Srna @ the RB position going forward. There is a reason why he plays there for Donetsk and there is a reason why he was chosen as one of the potential 5 UEFA selections for the all UEFA team @ the RB spot.
Thanks for the links!
Even Simunic and Olic said that if the coach wants them they will be apart of team not the Starting 11 but on the 20 man sheet for qualifying If the next coach fuck this up really onda je stavrno glup i kreten,Bilic left this team in great form and with pride to the next coach unlike the coaches before who hade to make drastic changes NO SAMMIR PLEASE i know that will be a huge issue for next coach God Bless Slaven for saying no to Mamic, Players that most likely will get drafted to the A Reprezentaicija are Pavlovic Kelic cbs, Kovacic Vukusic, Manuel Pamic will get a shot at left back Him and Strinic, The lineup will loook like this according to Our novinari
Pletikosa Srna Carli Lovren Strinic Ilicevic(Rakitic) Rakitc(Vukojevic Vida) Modric Perisic Mandzo Jelavic.
All in all Slaven Bilic did a good job with this team and will be missed he showed at tournaments given time to prepare he was great outcoached many opponent and will be missed, qualifying has ups and downs but look what he did in 2008 qualifying when he had a team to work with WC 2010 our national team wa in a decline to be fair if we had qualified we would have done nothing in my opinion reading sportske this morining Slaven did a great job with waht he had over the past years JAR WC 2010 Our taring 11 would have been Runje Corluka Kovac(Krizanac) Simunic Pranjic Srna Vukojevic (Juric) Modric Kranjcar(Rakitic) Olic Petric, and i dont think this lineup would hae done well we will never no, Slaven Great Job Let see The Mamic Suker Stimac era begin July Excpect the Sammir debate to Start again!
@jm
Olic was ready to go against Italy. There is a reason he is retiring now. I think the representacija is looking to move forward with a new crop of players, and this is the best time for him to bow out.
http://www.soccer365.com/news/european_news/general/18717/srna_blasts__biased__referees
srna article
http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/Nogomet/tabid/84/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/178382/Default.aspx
Interview article with Olic. It looks like at 32 he’s withdrawing from the national team. I’m a little surprised. He always seemed very passionate about playing for it , so I would’ve thought he’d be one of those guys that hangs on, but he has mentioned how he’s hurt himself a good amount playing for the natioanl team, so maybe at this point in his career its best to limit his action (or maybe he feels he won’t be picked anymore, so better to leave on your own choice)
Does anyone think the new management will let that German Defender play now?
THE FIX IS IN!
Enough said….read Srnas comments.
Basically said the fix is in.
Germany should be out too. Obvious foul on a breakaway….no call. The refs protect the Big teams.
Platini basically said he wants a Spain Germany final.
My guess is thats what he is gonna get.
@ Ante Kvartuc
You would have been better off putting “or” for clarification, not “and.”
That’s much better and general, sorry about that.
@ Mainzfeldski,
Usually only one of those apply to a game, not all three.
If a team is clearly better than the opponents, players win it.
If a team is par with their opponents but doesn’t have the right plan in place, coach at fault. (We’ve said this about Bilic a few times in the past 3 years)
If a game is one-sided or a ref blows a call which changes the game…he ruined it.
How’s that?
@Damir I know how you feel. What was the issue with the time against Turkey last time. I know Bilic was not allowed to make a subsitution but were we given the wrong time by the ref.
All i know is we waited for this 4 years and it was done in just over a week.
@ Slavonac
My original statement was for Ante Kvartuc who said,
“Players win games, coaches lose them and referees ruin them.”
Note how he does not say “bad refs.” It is assumed all refs are part of this statement.
You were talking about “bad refs” for what reason then? To contradict my argument? Some refs are good, others are bad, but do all of them ruin the game? That’s my question.
I’ve seen the EURO (every game, in fact), and there are many decisions the referees were in the wrong. Too bad, that’s FIFA’s and UEFA’s problem.
I never said that referees shouldn’t make ‘right calls’. That’s apparent from the beginning. Sometimes they mess up, sometimes they get bribed, sometimes they are correct. So they ruin the game how? Do the players have a better self-governing answer?
“I think a ref should be less influential on the outcome…”
What do you mean by “influental”? Legally or illegally? What if being more influential on the outcome is the correct decision?
If you want the refs to prevent their emotions from getting in the way, then I think you’re putting it wrong. Some Bundesliga referee slashed his own wrists, probably due to the mafia. Corruption is high, but we don’t always know where it is or with what proof we can use to challenge it. Money.
I’m not against with what you are saying, but do you know my original intent of my message?
ROFL means “rolling on the floor laughing.” You said something hilarious.
when i said everyone here i meant here where i live…all the croatians know me…just to clarify! i wrote about rakitic since game one…you and i are levela apart on soccer knowledge…im done with you…your insult frustrates me!
@Mainzfeldski – rofl you said? what can i say…everyone here knows who i am and where i played…im not gonna discuss things with you as i can see you’re knob!
@ Slavonac
And so did Rakitic in terms of defending. But why did he suck? You said that because Rakitic missed a goal when he should have “headed the ball to the ground.”
So does CR7 suck? I mean, he missed such an easy sitter during the Denmark game. Messi sometimes messes up on his weak left leg. Rakitic, on the other hand, did not have a sitter. Just a good opportunity.
Once again, give me legit reasons why Rakitic “sucked” and I’ll listen. I’ve given my points before.
i dont recall saying all refs ruin games but if i did i take it back…i think a ref should be less influential on the outcome…BUT make the right calls more often than not! believe it or not some refs actually involve themselves unnecessarily which can cause decisions made based on emotions…thats totally wrong!
what does (ROFL) mean?
Instead of Platini busting Croatia’s chops about its fans regarding throwing or lighting flares, throwing bananas on the pitch. I would like to ask that bum fucking french bitch where is the security at these venues? I remember going to watch Cro play a qualifier in ZG and I got searched from head to toe. I think he should point his french finger at UEFA cause it all starts within. But that would never happen so here’s your 80 or 100 thousand Euro fine HNS.
@ Slavonac
You’ve just answered my question, since you have played soccer in a meaningful game (ROFL).
Did the bad ref ruin the game for the Russian team after the Greek was not given a legitimate penalty?
Did the bad ref ruin the game for the Spaniards after Croatia had two penalties denied, an offside goal granted against Croatia, and six yellows to rub in salt to the wound?
Did the bad ref ruin the game for the Germans when Badstuber held Bendtner for what should’ve been a penalty?
Did the bad ref ruin the game for the Poles when a Greek player received a double yellow when he shouldn’t have?
You need a referee to help out with the game, or the players themselves would ruin it.
A good ref gives correct calls as he sees fit, right? I don’t think good refs would then mess up the game.
If the bad ref gives calls for a certain team illegally, then the other team’s day hasn’t been ruined.
If the bad ref gives calls for both teams illegally, then one team should find a way to score in a way that the referee cannot stop the play.
Referees help, referees err, referees sometimes ruin the game, but it is wrong to say that all referees ruin the game.
I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion just as I am for hockey and football…it doesnt make me right its just my opinion…making comments based on your feelings are ok also…but they are your feelings! not everyone has a role to be a difference maker offensively and sometimes when a guy isnt noticed its because he did his job! I’m not crazy about vukojevic but other than a few clumsy slip ups…covjek je zavrsio svoj posao…he’s paid to break plays down and pass…nothing more so why would he be noticed?
bad refs = a ref that influences a game one way or another…he is there to call the plays as they come…not to incite confrontation…not to give advantages to either side…not to give a disadvantage…he is to be neutral!
Croatia – Spain
21 fouls 6 yellow 16 fouls 0 yellows
a blatant foul by Ramos on Mandzukic…0 called
a blatant foul on Corluka…not even a discussion or warning
that type of reffing can change a game…if you’ve ever played soccer in a meaningful game you could imagine how this could negatively a player and the game itself! I felt sorry for the Greek player that was clipped in the box and fell down…and then got a yellow…even if he fell he didnt deserve a yellow cause the play was so close it was difficult to call…and that particular play was a 100% penalty shot!
@ nije bitno
Agreed about Rakitic! He played his part, and though Rakitic missed, he was a still a valuable defensive player.
Rakitic played well all tournament. I didn’t see Vukojevic at all last game and Vida was terrible! All in all I’m proud of our teams effort in this tournament. Yeah we came up just short of advancing but i would like to have the first half back in the Italy game. To me that was our biggest disappointment not Rakitic missing the zicer!
Man I hate to admit it but I am starting to feel that I will miss Bilic.
This new guy scares me. what is his style and temperment?
@ Slavonac
Notoriously bad refs for one team, or both?
But if some are bad refs, then others must be good or apathetic.
Do good refs ruin the game?
Those who can’t play….REF
@Mainzfeldski – some refs are notoriously bad refs…nothing less nothing more!
@ Ante Kvartuc
That’s not an absolute quote.
Individuals make up a team. A rotten player (lacks in attitude, experience, health, chemistry, etc.) messes up the team. So, players do not win games, but a TEAM wins games (Players =/= Team).
Players and coaches try to go for the same thing: victory. If a coach loses games, then why have a coach?
Imo, Bilic and the team are victorious for their efforts. The team lost, but their intentions to win under Bilic’s side are remarkable. Bilic did not lose the game.
Referees did not ruin the game when we played Spain… in Spain’s perspective. Spain might think the referee HELPED them win the game. Referees are slot machines or boxes of chocolates… you don’t know which ones you are going to get.
Players and coaches are humans that play games to win (mutually, not
players win, coaches lose’), referees are humans, and humans have errors.
Isn’t soccer the greatest human game?
jm-read my earlier posts…I’ve said this about him since game one!
@ anonymous: if the poor guy scores that goal (and anyone who’s ever played soccer can honestly say they’ve missed a chance similar) he’s a Kralj – same people bashing him would be the ones that are looking for his jersey online to buy –
totally agree! this guy would be king of the world if he made that shot! mass adoration from croats for the goal and for choosing croatia over switzerland (as opposed to criticism over a miss and not singing the anthem) , all over espn, and linked with rumors to go to barcelona just like mandzo has been!
@Ante Kvartuc – that quote could also be used in regards to Soccer 😉
“when Hertha BSC’s Levan Kobiashvili punched him after Hertha lost the series to Fortuna Dusseldorf.”
Kobiashvili isn’t the only one…
It’s pretty clear higher powers did not want Spain to lose that match. But in the end, you have to take it out of referees’ hands.
One quote I live by when it comes to doccer:
“Players win games, coaches lose them and referees ruin them.”
It’s true.
@Slavonac from Canada
When I first started watching him when he played for Basel I thought he had all the potential to be a spark plug and a game changer. I even thought that when he went to Schalke. There is still time as he is young but I am not sure what the future holds for Ivan Rakitic?
old news. 80k euros. at least we didnt get what russia got. 120k and -6pts i heard
Uefa opens disciplinary proceedings against Croatia after crowd trouble against Spain
http://tinyurl.com/7uhybvd
UEFA is a joke !!!!! Our players???? LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You guys want to see the bio on Stark? Wow, I knew I recognized the name. I live in Toronto and remember the U20 game vividly…….this Stark is a POS! HAS to have someone in his back pocket or he is in someone’s to keep getting these kinds of games….
Wolfgang Stark (born 20 November 1969 in Landshut), is a German football referee. He has refereed matches in the Champions League and qualifications to the European Football Championship and the World Cup. In 2007, he refereed five matches at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup including the controversial semi-final between Chile and Argentina.
He was questioned for his performance overseeing the Chile–Argentina match in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, having “lost control of the match early” [1] and for issuing seven yellow cards (out of nine) and two red cards against the Chilean team during the match.[2] In total he issued 53 fouls, 30 of which he charged to Chile.[3]
Following the match Stark and his colleagues were surrounded by livid Chilean players who were restrained by members of the Toronto Police. Stark then had to be escorted off of the pitch and into the dressing room tunnel by police officers for fear that he would be attacked by the crowd and/or Chilean players at the National Soccer Stadium.[4] Chilean players, still angry after losing the match, fought with and were pepper-sprayed by police officers outside of the stadium. The players were temporarily held inside the stadium by the police for several hours and were released without being arrested.[4]
Stark was criticized for his performance in the Champions League match between Chelsea F.C. and Internazionale in 2010 by the Daily Telegraph. A report claimed that he had missed two clear penalties for Chelsea.[5]
Stark’s performance has also been questioned in some Madrid-based newspapers after Real Madrid’s 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League.[6] The Diario Marca also took issue with a penalty Stark awarded to FC Barcelona in their 3-2 defeat of AC Milan in the next Champions League season’s group stage, saying “Aquilani grabbed Xavi inside the box but the contact was not enough to topple Barca brain.” The Italian press was less conclusive, with the Gazetta dello Sport calling the decision “generous”. After the incident he then booked the wrong player, when in fact he should have cautioned Alberto Aquilani who would have been sent off for the offence as it would have been his second booking.[7]
Stark was selected as a referee for the 2008 Summer Olympics football tournament and for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In the 2010-11 season of the German Bundesliga he was elected worst referee of the first half of the season by the players.[8]
Stark was also the referee during the controversial 2011-2012 Bundesliga relegation playoffs, when Hertha BSC’s Levan Kobiashvili punched him after Hertha lost the series to Fortuna Dusseldorf.
At the UEFA Euro 2012, Stark again finds himself in the middle of a huge controversy with regards to the game opposing Spain vs. Croatia. He denied 2 obvious penalties to the Croats, thus eliminating Croatia while allowing Spain to pass through to the next stage. This game and his work during the game, remembered many of the game opposing another team from the Balkans, Bosnia and Hercegovina to Portugal. It is to many a huge question as to how what some call “an underqualified and controversial referee” was allowed at the highest level of football.
What a joke!
http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3934/euro-2012/2012/06/20/3188635/uefa-open-disciplinary-procedings-against-croatia-after
Mihovil – regarding the reffing against us…what can I say that millions of us already haven’t said…if we were Italy or England this would be world news…but since we are Croatia its small news…and when we have stupid fans its world news but when Spain does the same…you can hardly find any mention of it!
as I have mentioned before ….I’m not trying to put myself higher than anybody here but I played at a higher level so sometimes I think I recognize certain things and behaviors about players that others may not! Rakitic seems to be a very skilled and talented guy…but in my opinion he’s about himself…when things go well he does make some incredible plays…when its time to bear down and we are looking for someone to make a difference…he’s gone…extinct…his play doesn’t ever do anything positive for us…I see him as a person on the field filling a spot and nothing more! he doesnt provide a needed spark or change the game by making a great play as several players at the very least try to do…its just my opinion…I’ve never once seen him lift us when we need the lift but I’ve seen him be a liability when we dont have momentum! players like him can be influential both positive and negative…I just dont like his lack of desire when we need it most!
I don’t know what’s with the Rakitic bashing – if the poor guy scores that goal (and anyone who’s ever played soccer can honestly say they’ve missed a chance similar) he’s a Kralj – same people bashing him would be the ones that are looking for his jersey online to buy –
Jebiga, 2 weeks ago people wanted Bilic’s head for not picking Klasnic – Ajme meni, al su neki bas smotani
What’s this now? UEFA open disciplinary procedures against Croatia with a decision on the charges to be made on June 24th? They are highlighting the six yellows against Spain, they can **** right off and investigate Wolfgang Stark. Hopefully this isn’t where they can decide to dock us points for future campaigns.
@Slavonac from Canada
If he scores against Spain we are playing on Saturday or Sunday. Sad but true.
The one thing I will say about Ivan is he seems to be snake bit. Giving away a free kick against the Turks in Euro 2008 to have them miraculously steal a game from us, and missing a penalty kick shortly thereafter. He was not the only person that missed a PK but I thought I would add it to the list. Getting his teeth kicked and knocked out at the start of a U21 game versus Spain in 2010. He was brought down from the A team in order to improve our chances of winning and it latest about 14 minutes minus some teeth. Last and certainly not least the game last Thursday against Spain.
To be honest, I don’t hold the loss against him but he has to burry that chance for a goal as we were not going to get many chances like that against the Spaniards. That was our ticket and pass to the next round!!!!! If he goes anywhere but directly @ Casillas than that is a goal. I cannot say enough about the build up and play of Luka Modric in order to get Ivan the service. Terrific!
That being said the officiating against us in this tournament was disgusting! I am sorry to bring that up but it is true.
@CroatHrvat – well, I’m not necessarily with you about the himna since he did take Croatia over the Swiss…and thats a statement in itself…regarding his performance/effort or lack thereof…I agree with you 100%! He’s a selfish prick if you ask me…he appears to go through the motions defensively and although he is incredibly talented…I think offensively he’s all about him! Selfish and he makes poor decisions! I’d love to see someone step up and take his spot…someone with more vision and who puts his team before himself!
@jelic……….Stimac will be confirmed in less than a month (weeks away). No confirmation yet, but he will get the job. It’s done unless something crazy takes place (doubtful).
@Damir……….the achievement took place with us even qualifying. The achievement is how we played and looked in all three games. Nobody is celebrating like we won the WC, but people realize this team is void of stars (sans Modric) and it takes a very good effort to get as far as we did. Could we have done more, yes….But, its not like Spain and Italy are easy teams. Those two teams have won three throphies at the last three main tournaments.
Is it confirmed Stimac is the next boss? Does someone have a link to the announcement if so? Thanks.
Im really fed up with everyone calling a early exit an achievement Sure we played good but we didn’t get the
result. Modric says he wouldn’t trade places with the Italians
I kinda would because they are moving on. Slaven Bilic is getting too much credit. With him we blew a great chance of going maybe to the finals with that nightmare Turkey match. Everyone was busy celebrating. We didn’t Qualify for the World Cup. and now we had a early exit. Everyone is already talking about the World Cup as though we are going forsure.
Our group is not easy and everyone is going to be fighting to go to the World Cup. If we don’t qaulify this time thats two in a row to miss.
@jm….true about the seedings and what group you get. but, at some point you also have to beat the teams placed in front of you. We couldn’t beat Spain and Italy in the group stage. if we were in a weaker group, yeah we got out, but we would still have to play the likes of a Spain and Italy and need to beat them.
I never piad much attention to those rankings because to me being #8 or number #18 doesn’t really mean much. Being in the top 10 is a talking point for whoever is the coach and savez president.
By the way, in some ways I actually prefer this somewhat even group. The reason being is I don’t think the top team will be a runaway winner. Everyone will have some good wins or some bad losses/ties and as a result, no outlier result will knock croatia out of the top spots. Instead, Croatia will only not make it if they are consistently worse than the other teams and not b/c they slipped up on one defensive possession. Although the group is tough, I think on average croatia is at the top and will emerge as such.
Man I would love to have some threats directed towards me or my son if we decided to play for Croatia. The swiss are racist fucks who dislike Croats to begin with. Germanic assholes.
We have the team to win our WC Group which we have to do. Belgium has some talent but I dont think they will over come us. Serbian games will be emotional but guys Serbia sucks.
@ ziva : i think the ranking is important for two reasons 1) i think it does play into significance for future seedings whether it be qualification or playoffs in a qualification and then obviously which pot you are in in the actual tournament (we would’ve been better served this tournament is we had a higher euro ranking than russia ) reason # 2) It’s fun to say we’re the number 8 team in the world. There’s no respect for being ranked 15th. But top 10, now that’s impressive regardless of anyone thinks its true or not !
we have to get a high fifa ranking to secure a higher pot…look at what pot we got for euro2012…we almost got pot 2 due to the draw against turkey….
Furthermore, i think we should focus on WC qualification now…There will be fewer european teams qualifying (i guess) for WC…and we are put in a so called “group of death”…Beligum is going to be stronger than us, in terms of individual players pedigree….Serbia as usual…Scotland and Wales play like Ireland…so we cannot take them lightly…Macedonia beat us in past qualification campaign…
@CroatHrvat
Don’t agree with the Rakitic assessment. I was pissed during and after the game but he was to play a more defensive role and he did well and that. As a bonus he had more of an offensive impact than Oggy.
However, when he played on the team four years ago as a green 20 year old, all I could think about was the kids potential. Four years later I haven’t seen too much improvement to be honest. He’s still young so you can’t give up hope on him. He has been through enough sour moments than most players experience in a whole career after two tournaments with Croatia: a PK miss in 08, and a sitter now against Spain. Wouldn’t want to be him right now.
As for singing the anthem that is ridiculous. The guy is constantly giving his all when he plays. Never seen him stop running. Don’t question his passion for his country because of singing. Serbs did that and kicked a guy off the team for not singing, stupid reasoning.
Krenula jurnjava za Mandžom: Žele ga Napoli, PSG, Fiorentina
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@jm…..honestly, who cares about those rankings. We should not be in the top 10. We didn’t qualify for the WC and we didn’t get out of the group stage and into the last 8 of the Euros. That to me shows we shouldn’t be in the top 8 or top 10. Its meaningless anyway.
@CroatHrvat……..you are wrong. The guy selected to play for Cro over Swiss which resulted in some threats to his father. I have no issue if he does not sing the himna out loud. Each person is different. Besides, Rakitic prefers narodnjake, that he would sing out loud.
In danger of dropping in the rankings:
Unfortunately, despite a decent showing it looks like our spot as number 8 in the world is done, and we’re in danger of dropping out of the top 10. Here’s the fifa rankings right now
1 Spain 1456 0
2 Uruguay 1292 1
3 Germany 1288 -1
4 Netherlands 1234 0
5 Brazil 1155 1
6 England 1145 1
7 Argentina 1137 2
8 Croatia 1053 0
9 Denmark 1019 1
10 Portugal 996 -5
11 Chile 994 2
12 Italy 977 0
13 Russia 975 -2
14 France 964 2
15 Greece 953 -1
16 Côte d’Ivoire 943 -1
17 Sweden 910 0
18 Republic of Ireland 907 0
Croatia currently sits at 1053 pts, and post euro cup it looks like it will fall to 1050 (if we tied spain we’d jump to 1097, if we beat them to 1189, which would have arguably jumped us to around 4th in the world) . In any case, portugal will jump us now going from 996 to 1146 (assuming no more wins), italy will jump us going from 977 pts to 1117, and france and greece will be knocking on the door and with any wins will probably jump us as well. You could maybe see us fall back as far as 5 spots or so in the rankings, despite what was a good tournament.
yea the corluka foul still angers me. the rakitic miss still disappoints me for the absolute pandemonium that would have followed. but that’s sports i suppose. @ croathrvat . i think rakitic plays hard for the national side. you shouldn’t get on him for not singing and doubt his dedication. the guy did anger a lot of people over in switzerland by switching to play for croatia after having always played for their youth side. i think he’s got pride in playing
Wow still can’t believe that Corluka pic that’s a damn judo move and no fucking foul I’m still cant fuming -U-
Štimac: Odvest ću Hrvatsku u Brazil i tamo se boriti za naslov svjetskog prvaka
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There’s something about Rakitic that just bugs me. Forget the header, I’ve had a problem with him for a while now. He’s the ONLY player that doesn’t sing the national anthem before the game, his lips are sealed, singing the national anthem may not enhance your game but I don’t know why he chooses to be the only one. Also, I feel that he doesn’t treat the games like they are national games, I feel that he puts in performances as if they were club games, he doesn’t lift his game, he just seems to have no motivation or pride in playing for the national team.
A lot of people on here were championing him after the Sweden game and have been big fans of his for a while, personally, I will never champion someone just because their long shots came close, all he did against Turkey in ’08 was take long shot after long shot, he’s calmed down since but I still get the feeling that he has a bit of an attitude like Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Balotelli, he seems to have a slight arrogance which holds him back from committing 100%, it really irritates me.
With World Cup 2014 two years away, I think Croatia will have a stronger team. With the likes of Badelj, Illecivic, Perisic, Vida, Vrsaljko, Kovacic, Kelava, Strinic, Vukusic, Lovren and Rakitic himself all of a youthful age (25 and under) added to the likes of Corluka, Modric, Jelavic, Mandzukic and Kranjcar (who will improve with his recent transfer) who are entering their prime years and the experience of Srna then we can look forward to great times. Provided Stimac is able to coach and manage the boys adequately.
Our weakest area this tournament was defence, for the next 8 years I want to see a back four of Strinic, Vida, Lovren and Vrsaljko. Hopefully then we will see some solidity at the back.
settle down, rakitics header was at the 70min mark, do u thnk spain wld roll over dead aftr that, diffrnt if it was 90th min.
I will be going to world cup 2014 in Brazil. If you guys want to strap a camera on my head, I will wear it the entire tournament. Just sayin!
wasnt just in gdansk, everyone i talked to in toronto was calling a 2-2 as well, there were rumours going around of match fixing in favour of kicking italy out of the tournament
A five second wrestling move to prevent Corluka from scoring easily – totally ignored. Wouldn’t dream of having Spain eliminated would we?
Platini needs to step down and be replaced. UEFA has taken steps backwards since he’s been in charge.