WILL A CROATIAN CELEBRATION FOLLOW AFTER 90 MINUTES IN GREECE?
The Group F clash (2:45 PM, Friday) from Piraeus, Greece is finally upon us. Croatia will enter the lion’s den in an atmosphere that is not kind to visiting teams, needing a win to automatically qualify for next summer’s Euro 2012. However, with only two games left in qualifying and Croatia up one point on the Greeks, all the pressure is on the home side to deliver a result. A draw would benefit the Croatians as they would only need a win over Latvia the following Tuesday in Rijeka to make the tournament. Greece has nothing to lose as both teams have already qualified for at least a playoff berth. Needing a win on home soil, expect the Greeks to finally open up and push for some goals.
Croatia-Greece Preview
Captain Darijo Srna will not be in action due to an accumulation of yellow cards this qualifying campaign. His leadership has been suspect since earning the captain’s armband and Josip Šimunić will get the nod to lead the Vatreni onto the pitch in Greece. The game in Athens will be the 50th in a Croatian jersey for Vedran Ćorluka and Luka Modrić.
Expected Croatian starting XI: (4-5-1)
Stipe Pletikosa
Vedran Ćorluka, Josip Šimunić , Dejan Lovren, Ivan Strinić
Ognjen Vukojević ,
Mario Mandžukić , Luka Modrić , Niko Kranjčar ,
Eduardo Da Silva
Nikica Jelavić
Quotes:
Croatia
“Mandžukić was stung by a bee, but that is no big deal. There should be no problems with Vedran Ćorluka as well. We have two qualifiers left, and it’s our plan to return from Greece with our place secured at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine. We will be under less pressure because we don’t have to chase victory. It won’t be easy at all. Greece has been at a high level in European football for a decade and we are aware of their quality. “Defeat would not be the end of the world. Whoever happens to lose this game will still end up second and will get another chance.”
~Croatian manager, Slaven Bilić
“A tough game awaits us. We played against them already so we know what to expect. Usually they are defensively oriented, but they may slightly change their approach, given that they must go for the three points. If they end up opening up, that would be good, we’d have more space to show our quality and weapons that we possess. I believe in this team, we are experienced enough, we need to go for the win to qualify on Friday.
These last two goals have raised my confidence, especially the one against Israel came in the best possible moment after two months of a dubious period in the summer transfer window. We always try to impose our own style and game as we will show in Athens. We do not know how to defend the entire game. I don’t think it will come to the point where we have to frantically defend, and we randomly clear the ball. Again, I believe in this team and in our triumph. We go there with confidence and positive expectations. We are better than Greece, but we should not be too cocky before the ball is kicked, instead we need to show our quality on the pitch.”
~Luka Modrić
“Yes, I have tendon pain, but I have been having these problems for a long time. After these couple of games maybe I should pause for a month to recover.”
~Vedran Ćorluka
“I expect either Kale or I to play as a lone striker. Whichever of us is playing, we will give it are all. It is not difficult for me to handle pressure, I am a professional. There is no pressure on us. The Greeks will play their game, I think they will not deviate from it. We know we’re better, we just have to be patient and score first. We should not think in a way that we have a repeat after this.”
~Nikica Jelavić
“I do not fear anything, they have to score a goal, we play without pressure. We have the strength and quality to win, but with a draw we have a good chance and it relieves the pressure. They have to chase the win, but we have a desire to qualify on Friday. The greeks have been playing the same type of football for years, it’s not beautiful to the eyes, but they are always a top football side. It will be difficult just like at Maksimir.”
~Niko Kranjčar
“I have already been captain twice. That is a special feeling, we are very well prepared. The atmosphere is great and we go there to show that we are better.”
~Josip Šimunić
“A dificult task awaits us. They are strong team but we are ready for anything.”
~Domagoj Vida
“We are not going down there to fight in the streets. We will be in our hotel. We hope that we will not concede goals. We are well prepared and we are aware of what awaits us. The good thing is that Ninis is out, their most dangerous player in the qualifiers. I know Samaras, Gekas and Salpingidis well, we must be prepared for counter-attacks. I’m good, I have confidence, but every game brings something new.”
~Stipe Pletikosa
Greece
“We’d always said that the two qualifiers against Croatia would be our most important games, and this will definitely not be an easy game. But the only result we are looking for is a win. We don’t want to place our fate in Croatia’s hands in the last game. Samaras has never really displayed all the talent he has. It would be good to see this happen because he is a gifted player. This would be a great moment for Samaras to show us what he’s got. He has goals saved up that he hasn’t scored.”
~Greece coach Fernando Santos
“We have to win, we have to play for three points. Against Croatia as well as in every other game. We will play in a different way than we have played so far, but we are not afraid. We just need to stay focused. We are aware that we face a very good team and that before us is a tough game. We are also a good team. We’re playing on our home turf and we will give our all for a win. We know we can, if we play the way we should then we will take all three points. We and the Croats are the best two teams in the group. The Croatians play very good football. In technical terms they are better than us, although in recent years we have improved on that front. In the end it will be important only that we can look into our eyes and say that we did everything we could.”
~Konstantinos Katsosuranis
“There is a special way to handle these games. We need to be patient, not rush things or get anxious about scoring an early goal and be extra careful not to concede. We are very good at home and have proved in the past that we have the personality and mental strength to perform well under pressure.”
~Angelos Charisteas
“The match against Croatia is like a cup final for us and we all believe we will win it. I think we’ll be in the Euro 2012 finals automatically.”
~Socrates Papastathopoulos
I definitely like it when men and women come together and share opinions, wonderful weblog, maintain it up.
@goldenchild,
“So changing from, “throw the tank in front of net” vs a strong attack is not going to work as they’d like to in the matter of one or two games. ”
As shown today, the Greeks didnt need to do that. Bilic anticipated an all out attack and target practice for Jelavic and Eduardo. The bluff and joke was on him.
@Allen19
“Jelavic after all the misses and disappointing performances will finally score.”
I dont blame Jelavic as he didnt get the proper service. However, its never good news when I asked myself after Eduardo and Jelavic were subbed: “there isnt anyone out there that will score for Croatia if the Greeks score”
@JP
“If it were up to me, there’s no way Jelavic even sees the field”
well, it didnt matter. Jelavic or Kalinic same shit. Without service, you could have had me up there. Same result.
@Colin
“This looks good, except can Vida play in place of Lovren?”
This might have saved Croatia today. Good call.
@Korculanac
“Any starting 11 featuring Vukojevic is a katastrofa. He does nothing well. Expecting him to be the next Niko Kovac was a lot to ask. But really enough with this experiment. I’d love to see Domagoj Vida get the responsibility as the defensive bone crushing mid.”
Good call. Like I said in the past, you Torontonians are on a higher level.
@Ivica
“Simunic has a terrible history of singlehandedly choking in big games for us. It seems to happen in every tournament for Simunic.”
True, but Simunic played well today.
@Vlad
“I dont get how manzo starts ahead of peresic, esp when that position is more suited for perisic! Also not a fan of vukojevic starting!”
Good call. I’m with you. I figured, Mandzo ok a chance because of experience over Perisic. Nope. However, I also liked a sneak surprise attack of Perisic off the bench. Kind of like that sixth man in bball that comes in with a surprise attack on tired legs.
@Mark
“Greece 2-3 Croatia”
dude. Who would score all these goals for Croatia? Mandzo with 3 “Ivica Olic goals” ?
@Andrej L
“I just hope Vukojevic doesn’t start. Let Badelj or Rakitic play beside Modric.”
agreed on Vuki. Rakitic-Modric-Kranjcar can not all play together. So throw Kranjcar on the bench? Also, Rakitic is not 100%.
@Shinobi
“greece exells in these situations, and im afraid it will be a greece win today, i think they will win by the barest of margins. I hope im wrong, but its my prediction.
Greece-1__Croatia-0”
winner winner chicken dinner!
@Bobby V
“Both teams should be ashamed of themselves – worst soccer match I’ve witnessed in 45 years. Fake injuries, diving, stalling, cheating, nasty play”
Well said. Both teams deserve to stay home. Weakest group in qualifying. Weakest performance by top two teams in any group.
Both teams should be ashamed of themselves – worst soccer match I’ve witnessed in 45 years. Fake injuries, diving, stalling, cheating, nasty play……..
This is a joke !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Webb is losing control! Karagounis has a yellow and he now has priviledge to do whatever he wants the remainder of the game. No way Webb is giving him another yellow!
Let’s go guys! Win this game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Webb is losing control of this game. it’s going to get ugly in the second half. manzo needs to keep his trap shut or he is going to see a red.
deja vu all over again — can’t believe they assigned Webb to this game. wtf?
trying deleting your cookies and history or mabye you need to redownload sopcast etc
dull game so far. manzo and jelavic should not be on the pitch — they don’t get well with the others, especially eduardo. need to see raki and perisic in start of second half.
I dont understand why mine dont work!!!!
You can also go to Atdhe and pick, thats where i got my link to work
Nothing is working….shitty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TRY THIS ONE!!
http://myp2p.pe/livesports.php
JUST PICK BETWEEN THE TWO
Sorry to keep buggin people but im getting jumpy!
Any links ???PLEASE
Any links guys? Hvala
Allen don’t be mad, it was only a joke. I retweeted you today. Jerk
I said it as soon as Webb was announced as the ref for this game. Every big game he has ever officiated he has screwed it up immensely! FU Webb !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not this time !!!!!!!!
U Boj U Boj Za Narod Svoj !!!!!!!!
@ Mishko
Corluka quote from article:
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=goal-tottenhamsvedrancorlukaslam
Link to the game anyone ….please
NO!!!! Howard Webb is reffing today, you got to be kidding me. This guy is the biggest prick out of all the refs. It also didn’t help that Corluka just ripped him in an interview for favoritism. This is going to be annoying, hopefully Webb doesn’t be the douche that he is.
Allen,
Do you have a link to that interview? I’d like to see that.
Thanks
I agree and he will if we win. Slaven will probably put all the young guns in. It would only make sense right since it will basically be a friendly.
So is the game starting at 2:30 eastern time and I can’t find it anywhere so who’s got an online feed for it.
Thanks
greece exells in these situations, and im afraid it will be a greece win today, i think they will win by the barest of margins. I hope im wrong, but its my prediction.
Greece-1__Croatia-0
prediction: 2-1 for the good guys with a first half goal from cro (probably jelavic) opening up the greeks a bit. the crazy atmosphere alone in greece will be enough to help them get a goal but we can pull it out. if we can avoid getting red carded in the first 60-70 mins of the game, we should escape there with the win (or at the very least, a draw). the only way i see a loss is with a first half red card on our part.
ajmo vatreni!
p.s. great job on the new website guys….looks sharp!
@Goldenchild…your no longer my 3rd favorite poster after those comments. You jerk.
I am so sick of Manzo though starting in big games. This guy is probably going to start in the Euro Cup and he will be a disgrace to the Hrvati colors. I know people are worried about Simunic (I’m more worried about his hair decreasing) but this is Greece were talking about. He should be fine for the most part. I love to see Vida vs Latvia if Croatia wins or even if they tie but even then Billc will be all Simunic.
Allen if we win today Bilic better play Vida, Badelj, Rakitic, Perisic, Strinic, etc vs Latvia, get all the young guns some caps and experience
Gentlemen,
Any websites that won’t be blocked off from work?
samo je jedno u mom zivotu jedno da pustim suza sa oka jer tebe volim ja. zivot me dala bas kao da je znala da nikad nece nestat od moj usana. Hrvatska
ajmo vatreni
I just hope Vukojevic doesn’t start. Let Badelj or Rakitic play beside Modric. I’m still a big believer and said it many times, that Corluka would be a good fit as a defensive mid over any other position for both club and country.
I also agree with most people on the Perisic playing over Mario but am not strongly opposed either.
So many less arguments over positioning when Srna is not involved hahah. And I don`t even want to see Kale warming up!
Nikica to start over kale any day of the week!
I took he day off tomorrow. I consider it a national holiday whenever we play important matches…..The team seems pretty cool and collected. We’ll see if it fits them to act this calm or if it bites them in the arse. I’m sensing potential for some shady Greek ref $$ persuasion! That’s if anyone has any money left over there. Some Greeks here in Chicago are talking about a civil war brewing over their economic situation. Could end up being a pretty hostile environment on several accounts. Greece 2-3 Croatia.
2-0 Croatia, Eduardo & Modric
ajde momci bori se za pobejd i vidi mo se u Ukraine i Poland Rob Nikada Za dom Spremni -U- Bog i Hrvati…….
2-1 to Croatia
I see Ivan Raki,…..Perisic coming off the bench to be our savior after an early Greek goal with the home crowd momentum behind them.
A stage this big, this early in his career, with a solid performance can set up a coming out party for the Split native!
I dont get how manzo starts ahead of peresic, esp when that position is more suited for perisic! Also not a fan of vukojevic starting! Hopefully he proves me wrong! Hopefully we get the results we need its gonna be a a nail bitter!
I was really hoping to see Vida in the lineup instead of Simunic.
Simunic has a terrible history of singlehandedly choking in big games for us. It seems to happen in every tournament for Simunic.
– Euro2004: First half Red card against Belgium which shifted the momentum ending in a 2-1 loss for Cro, forcing us in a must-win match against Bulgaria on the final day.
– WC2006: Three yellow cards in World Cup 2006 vs Australia in final (and most critical) group match.
– Euro2008: Giving England momentum by gifting them with a penalty in the game we won (despite Simunic’s efforts) at Wembley.
– WC2010: Opening up the most critical match against England by gifting them a reckless penalty within the first 7 minutes of play.
I really, really hope I’m wrong about Joe and he plays a good game. Although Lovren is talented, he is still learning and occassionally makes the Igor Tudor mistake. Vida is also very young yet seems to be a more consistent, play-it-safe defender. I would’ve like to see him back there to compliment Lovren instead of Joe.
We can do this guys. Croatia 1-0 wins with some scary moments but we will win. Hear my crys Crom!!!
I didn’t know they sell Pletikosa’s jersey.
Any starting 11 featuring Vukojevic is a katastrofa. He does nothing well. Expecting him to be the next Niko Kovac was a lot to ask. But really enough with this experiment. I’d love to see Domagoj Vida get the responsibility as the defensive bone crushing mid.
Pozdrav iz Toronta.
Keep up the good work boys
@JP
“At least Kale brings some speed”
Speed is not the issue here. We’re not a fast team and never have been. Kale has done great with finishing in the past. After his last few performances though, the guy is a shell of himself. His finishing is not just bad, it’s terrible. He went from solid, to what the fuck happened to you in the span of a couple games. I honestly think the guy is going through some type of depression.
Don’t get me wrong, Jelavic looks jittery out there too. But he’s got strength and height, which we’ll need against the Greek defenders. And Jelavic has got enough speed to pass those Greek defenders. He’s best on the counter, and it’s not because he’s slow.
With a guy like Kale, there is speed, but not great tactical ability on the ball. If he was fast and could dribble, I would say put him in. But that’s not his style.
Anways, I agree that Allen might be on some type of crack. There is something in the water over there, but you can’t blame him for it.
This looks good, except can Vida play in place of Lovren? Lovren has made some bad mistakes that have cost us big. I’ve liked the way Vida has played lately (I know, he’s mostly played against HNL teams) but he’s shown some strong play lately and I’d like to see him in the game.
ajmo naši..nema predaje!!nek se u ateni poslije tekme ori: Bježite ljudi,bježite iz grada..
If it were up to me, there’s no way Jelavic even sees the field, Allen19, you’re on crack. At least kale brings some speed, either way, I agree with you in a sense, in that I’d play both Rakitic and Perisic both before Kale, Jelavic and Mandzo.
@Domonej if Vuko scores, I think he be treated like a messiah on the boards. I swear if he scores, I will crack up.
Anyway big game as we all know, for all New Yorkers come to Scorpicos. It’s the place to be enough said. Now I got Croatia winning 1-0 for the main reason that we are going to control the game and be balanced. I don’t see Corluka being reckless at right back and I don’t see the Greeks scoring. They don’t have speed like Israel and don’t have really have anyone impressive. Then again Croatia can crack at any time, so it’s crazy. Manzo starting, why I have no idea? I wish the bee stung him somewhere where it hurts more that baby. How does being stung by a bee make news? Manzo is a tool enough said, hopefully he scores tomorrow to shut me up. Still think Perisic or even Rakitic should start over him!!
If Kale starts over Jelavic, I will probably smash my head into a wall. Don’t be nice Jelavic, your good and Kale sucks. Jelavic after all the misses and disappointing performances will finally score. I’ve said he score about the last four games, but now I’m confident. It’s his time to shine, so hopefully he steps up. As long as we don’t lose, I’m a happy man. Hopefully they win though, I want to party tomorrow and laugh at the Greeks.
It is usually hard to find qualified individuals on this issue, you be understood as you know what you are talking about! Thanks a lot
Very nice to see the maturity in Modric’s assessment, he’s talking like a coach, and good one, which indicates to me that his leadership skills are blossoming, which may also correlate with his recently more assertive (and successful) play.
Normally, I’d be worried about an English ref (second worst for us next to Italian refs, imo), especially Webb, but this time if we stay cool, and don’t complain, I somehow think it works to our favour. The exclusion of Srna will really help in this regard imo. His type of flopping and complaining behaviour really irritates referees, and this negative factor has always been overlooked when putting him in the lineup.
I think that if we keep our eyes on Charisteas (their talisman) and remain calm (ie Vuki and Captain Joe) and level-headed, (Charlie) we walk out with 1-0 victory. if not we may be looking at a 1-1 or worse.
2-0 Hrvatska (Modric, Vukojevic).
Both goals in the second half…
I don’t see us losing, but it’s obviously a strong possibility as we do enjoy choking at times. Is nice to see Luka have his head on straight. I’m guessing the rest of the team is going to follow his lead. Jelavic might actually score in this one, as a lot of his goals come off the counter attack at Rangers. The Greeks will play conservatively for the 1st half. If it’s still a draw by the second half, they’ll start getting desperate around the 60th minute, and then we’ll see Jelavic start to shine.
Honestly, it’s a huge guessing game. I don’t think anybody has seen Greece play an actual fluid attacking game before. In my opinion, you can’t just flip a switch and be good at it. So changing from, “throw the tank in front of net” vs a strong attack is not going to work as they’d like to in the matter of one or two games. But who knows, miracles do happen.
Anyways, my final prediction is 2-0. Jelavic and Eduardo.
2-0 J
I don’t think that Greece will play all-out-attack for this one. They will jump on Croatia in the first few minutes of the game, then sit back, look for Croatia to open up then jump on us again. We don’t know how to play “Italian football.” The Greeks know this. Croatia just has to be patient and stick to that 4-5-1 game plan. Something tells me nil-nil for this one. The Greeks will try to sneak one in early in the first half, then open up a little more in the second half. Jelavic will miss a couple sitters and Modric will hit the post. It will be a dull and boring match.
For the first time in a while, I like the formation. I would have preferred Perisic starts, however, Mandzo does have more experience. Perisic can always come in at halftime – 70th
@AZ,
Its ok. Coaches know how to say one thing to the press and another thing in the locker room.
3-0 (Eduardo, Jelavic x 2)
Why is bilic comments so pessimistic….Always looking at worst case scenario and putting a smile still…we simply cannot afford to lose to greece..if we really get 2nd place, bilic should be sacked immediately..
Those lazy Greeks will take a break from their rioting and then they’ll continue even more after they lose 3-0.
@Jordan, the article says Simunic
any idea who is going to wear the captains armband for us tomorrow? Big Joe? Plete?
Webb is going to !&*# us!
I desperately hope that I am wrong! An absolute horrible ref that plays favourites.
take Mandzu out of the starting 11 and I’m fine with that line up. Still if I’m Stipe I keep a close eye on Dejan’s area of the defense. Perfect game to wear my new Pletikosa jersey for!
Greece 0-1 Croatia (Mandzukic 36 min.)
and I think Perisic will be in first 11, will see
greetings from fatherland
Greece being forced to push forward will leave gaps at the back and after the scare against Israel I think we’ll be up for this one.
I’m tipping 2-0 Croatia