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The world will be watching

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4 days.

Only four more days until the World Cup kicks off. Croatia vs. Brazil in Sao Paulo.

The whole world will be watching. But how important is this match to Croatian manager Niko Kovač? Kovač made the entire team practice the national anthem, Lijepa Naša, after training on Saturday. Not only does he want the Vatreni to look good in the checkers as cameras broadcast live to the entire world, but he also wants them to sound good.

  • What we saw in the friendly games is not even going to coincide with the Brazil game as far as line-up goes. Kovać brought his own trainers from Germany in. Only the German newspapers watch out for Croatia.

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  • @ nepoznat

    you take this link stuff and “breaking the story first” stuff a little too seriously haha no worries man, just busting chops over here!

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  • Contradicting styles on defense.

    Here is a problem for Kovac and it will be interesting to see how he handles it. The three main figures are Corluka, Schifo and Lovren.

    Lovren and Corluka are like oil and water, there styles do not compliment each other at all. Corluka likes to drift back towards the penalty area, Lovren likes to play up high and run up to try and get an offside trap. He cannot do that if Corluka is dropping back. So what ends up happening is that the defence is split down the middle. Corluka and Schifo compliment each other well as both like to drop back.

    Thats why I think you will see Corluka and Schifo on the field together. Lovren while more skilled, does not compliment the rest of the defense that we are playing.

    The solution might be to put Corluka at left back and maybe Schifo can work with Lovren and play up higher. I dont know, I just havent seen enough of Schifo play in Greece to see what he is capable of. If not Schifo the perhaps Lovren and Vida in the middle like we saw against Australia.

    so possible combinations are

    RB Srna, CB, Corluka, CB Schifo, LB, Vrsaljko/Vida/Pranjic
    RB Srna, CB, Lovren, CB Vida/Schifo , LB, Corluka

    I highly doubt you will see CB Corluka, CB Schifo combination.

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  • Does anyone know of any Croatian chat sites open to the diaspora as well?

    By the way great job with the site guys we need to be more proactive in supporting one another and this is a great example. Cheers

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  • Doubtful. I don’t give a shit about BiH.

    Let there be no doubt, I think we advance from our group. Usually, I don’t favor a team getting through after losing the first match (which I expect to be the case with Brazil), but I think we get out this time.

    So long friends and keep the jock sniffing and hero worshipping to a minimum. it just looks bad.

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  • is vukojevic part brazillian, he for sure has majmun characterisitcs… relax i kid i kid… ja i don’t see how you play brozovic out of position with not a ton of experience while you have vukojevic while not some stud has been in this type of situation before and has done just fine

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  • What?

    I’m no Vuki fan, but there’s no way I play Brozović out of position at DM. That would be almost as bad as starting Kranjčar at DM. I can see Vuki starting the Brazil game just to man-mark Neymar. Man, if Niko is trying to confuse people, he’s doing a good job.

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  • @ IvicA

    Fresh reports say that it’s either Brozovic or your pal Vukojevic as the DM. Frankly, I’d go with Vukojevic as he has excellent stamina and can cover a lotta ground.

    If we’re gonna upset Brazil, we gotta hit ’em hard and fast.

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  • Where do most of you guys live? West or east coast. Me and some friends follow your portal in Sarajevo!

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  • @Mark Twain

    That was Eduardo circa 2007.

    Seven years and a broken fibula has happened since then. Eduardo is decent, but he’s not a starting caliber RW for this team.

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  • Why am I see lineups with Brozovic playing as a DM?

    The dude is an offensive player. He is only effective as an attacking midfielder or Second Striker. He only played as a DM in that U21 match against Ukraine, but that was just an experiment (and also a reason for Kovac to simply play all the youngsters at the same time). Kovacic got the nod as attacking midfielder in that game, so they had to play Brozovic at DM…and he played mediocre.

    Brozovic is a sick player, but only in his true role. He’ll probably get some time off the bench. This is why the Kranjcar injury was not as big of an impact to our team as the Strinic injury.
    😉

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  • Pletikosa

    Srna. Corluka. Shildenfield. Vrsaljko

    Brozovic. Modric

    Perisic Kovacic

    Rakitic

    Olic

    Starting lineup Thursday

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  • Do you really think Kovać is going to show anyone what his starting lineup is going to be? The man is much smarter then many think. Brazil doesn’t know what to prepare for. Upfront I think he will go Perišić and Edurado on the wings with Olić upfront. Olić and Edurado have great chemistry together.

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  • this is another example of what I was talking about….Kovac giving assignments/tasks to the players… from Srna about Neymar:

    “izbornik Kovač traži od nas zadatke na terenu koje ćemo morati ispoštivati”

    its your coach that has the responsibility to provide you with what he wants…sometimes, although we want to see something in particular from these players, they are given their assignments and have to stick by them!

    the last couple of friendlies I saw little of both games but noticed there wasn’t much as far as creativity and all out attacking, thats because I think he had players working on what he wants to see them improve on and ensure they understand what he wants….and hopefully we see the final product this Thursday!

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  • @ziva what if we had an erection from something other than Neymar’s injury? like say our hottie wives? does that still count?

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  • I accept the fact that we have to play the best from all teams….I didn’t flinch!

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  • Come on, be honest. How many of you had a erection taking place when you first read that Neymar got “injured”.

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  • @armada I wasn’t at the practice, I’m reporting here from my non-fortified home office so you gotta cut me a little slack and give me a few min to find the links! lol what did I post 30 min after that article? 😀

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  • That’s still going to be sore and possibly unstable for a few days.

    No doubt though that they will wrap that up nice and tight for the game Thursday.

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  • thanks I have yet to fully embrace twitter and did not read the rest of the account’s tweets lol

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  • The WC will be Kovac’s true “audition”

    I think the vast majority of folks, Croat and non-Croat, had us getting past Iceland and into the tournament and we took care of business when we had to. Can’t really look into the friendlies either, has NK tinkered with different combos and lineups.

    Brazil is where we’ll see NK the tactician and NK the strategist, as dannyj and others have mentioned. We have a team on paper that should be favorites to go to the next round. It’s just a matter of all the boys showing up ready to play and NK putting them in a good spot tactically and motivating them to get the needed result.

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  • they thrive on controversy…in the Japan, S Korea world cup one of the African nations had a player get caught stealing jewellery…they always have some crap going on one way or the other!!!

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  • one thing that worries me is cameroon’s delay in getting to brazil and the mess around that team. it might give mexico a much easier first match relative to croatia facing them in the second game

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  • Mexican are going by history the alwas make it to the 1/16. and they think they will beat BRazil beacuse mexico alway play them hard and croatia they rememeber beat us 2002 1-0

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  • nepoznat- 70% of Mexicans believe they will go to the next round….thats a pretty confident country OR they only know their own team and don’t respect the rest!

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  • Pletikosa – Srna, Ćorluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko – Brozović – Rakitić, Modrić, Kovačić, Perišić – Olić.
    Is what the papers are saying?

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  • i agree its a strategy and for sure you don’t want everyone to see how you play but you have to test them out in a game to see, not first game of world cup
    don’t get me wrong, i am happy niko is the coach and im sure he knows what he is doing…

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  • an attacking style is great but its not always possible….its like playing chess against a better and more aggressive player, you have to make sure you are always covered defensively…and then catch him on a contra!

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  • i sure hope your wrong croathrvat, but yes besides that 2nd leg in the playoff we haven’t really had an attacking style… but lets see… we will find out soon nuff

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  • he hasn’t played all his combinations together at the same time…you have to understand this is a mental game as well…keep your opponents wondering.

    Kovac has the job to prepare his team with their overall physical preparation, the formation, strategy and personnel…in each of his games he has given assignments to his players while he knows what he expects to see…it doesnt mean he’s gonna start Modric, Kovacic and Rakitic together to give his opponents a glimpse of how they can best shut them down….this is strategy dude….we have to judge him based on what we see in the tournament!

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  • Kovac says the right things, acts the right way, and is very likeable. But this is a results based game, he’s promised the ‘real Croatia’ will return for all these friendlies and I’ve seen nothing of it. I really want Kovac to be the solution but I wouldn’t be surprised if the same mediocrity that we’ve seen over the past two years continues.

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  • @ dannyj

    I hope Kovac gets in the habit of cycling young guys in quicker. Ideally, we all like our guys to excel at the club level and then find a spot on the NT, but in Kovac can sniff out these guys who can suceed at the NT level and give them playing time, I’m all for it.

    If just a small handful of our youngsters peak in the coming years and Kovac works his magic, I think we’ll see our 2nd golden generation during Euro 2016. We’ll have a top 3 midfield, I predict our backline will be strong and the attacking option will be better than what we have currently.

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  • they could have waited on his injury. At worst, he would have missed the Brazil game and been OK for the rest of the WC>

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  • yes injuries… but sounds like boban saying injuries weren’t that bad? he shouldn’t be, but while i like kovac, i think he is partial to his young guys that played for him… i think you will see them rolling in regularly during euro qualifying. especially now that there is more room for error in qualifying

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  • Wasn’t Badelj left out due to injuries?

    There is no way Mocinic, Brozovic and Sammir come ahead of Badelj.

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  • yes i def agree with boban on badelj… everyone is talking bout sertic”h” and this and that, while we have a guy that played pretty well everygame in germany and had good ratings all year long… ya he is club almost go relegated and he had that bad game against scotland i believe but seems to me kovac would definately consider him being as he played in german league and played well and had a decent amount of experience… ya he isn’t a killer out there but seems to be a good balance of defence and offence

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  • Ziva- I’ve asked you about Badelj in the past…I know little of him but after reading Boban’s comments, I feel sorry for the kid!

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  • don’t matter guys kranjcar not there… lets keep the talk about the current team
    i like jelavic but i think if they are going towards the lineup with olic on wing… then id put dudu up front… he is more in form then jelavic and has always had better finishing… if olic can muscle his way up on that side and some how step over a hundred times and its a loose ball, dudu can finish it
    how would it look to have vrsaljko on lb and then pranjic lm and then olic up front by himself?

    and i know its not his position but it seems like lovren has the physical ability to play at LB? No? am i completely off my rocker with this statement?

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  • @Ziva. The plan has to be to play Rakitic and Modric as Co-Holders and Kovacic in the hole with some freedom to roam but also resp to help secure the middle. I think any way you arrange the 3 can work. The reason Perisic is on the right I think will be to help out on Neymar. He can also break and Neymar will not support defensively. I think we will see Jelavic. I am against that and would rather see someone else get a shot but you gotta protect vrsaljko and I think Olic with his workrate can help out. Once Mandza comes back things will simplify a bit and the competition wont be the 5 time world champs which helps lol.

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  • …nepoznat…that’s a fair comment, but I have never said he is a starter, I just realize he is still a player that at this level COULD contribute!

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  • Niko Kranjcar of say 6 years ago was not a sub player, he was a starter. Fast forward 6 years and Niko Kranjcar is a sub player.

    Nothing wrong with being a sub, but he’s not a starter anymore and it’s partially because he has declined and partially because we have better options now

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  • nepoznat- a sub is useful, you have to understand that! a dub is not someone that is too shitty to start…often they are used in different situations. Cesc Fabregas was a sub for Spain in the past…you have to understand that man!

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  • If we are going with second options on the right side, why not Kovacic over Perisic. Or, are we playing Kovacic in the middle with Modric and Rakitic behind him in the holding role.

    I’m always hesitant to play guys in positions they don’t usually play in.

    What thing that hasn’t been discusses enough is how good (at least on paper) Brazil’s defense is. That is probably the strongest part of their team (not sure on the GK), which is very unique for Brazil.

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  • Kranjcar can create in 30 minutes where most cannot…especially while players begin to tire….do you remember the “baby faced assassin”? Ole Gunner Solkjaer…he was a sub and had an incredible record for coming off the bench. I’m not saying Kranjcar is a scorer…but he creates!

    Yes, let someone with decent pace and some abilities play…then bring on Kranjcar come in…the last 30 minutes or less. He doesn’t need much where we can watch an entire week of Perisic and see zero…but Perisic is somewhat responsible defensively so in that respect, anything offensive we get from him is good.

    although it may not look like it, soccer at that level is very demanding. its not easy to go forward and get back…and its even harder nowadays then it was 15 years ago, so much fitness is required and so much performance as well….

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  • @Slavonac ok so currently why is the best way to utilize Kranjcar is as a substitute for a limited number of minutes?

    because he’s declined and not as good as he used to be!!!

    that’s all I’m saying and I honestly don’t see how you could feel otherwise

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  • nepoznat- you’re creative writing doesn’t reflect your previous opinions…and your rational about ” From previously as a sure starter playing near 90min for the NT every match to a sub for the last 10-20-30 min is pure unadulterated evidence that he has declined” just simply means that over time, someone has replaced him…just look at Mandzukic at Bayern…he plays less but deserves more….on the NT, we have other players with different qualities…you = playing time with a players quality….I equate playing time based on utilizing your lineup to make the best possible impact. Kranjcar off then bench while Perisic spends the first 60 minutes in a physical up and down game with his opponent can only work in Kranjcar’s favor!

    you just simply don’t understand strategy, roles and positions…why a coach would use one over another and when to best utilize what he has at his convenience!

    How can Podolski be a sub, how can Van der Vaart be a sub, how can Rooney be a sub, Michael Owen was often a sub….Prosinecki was a sub in 98, he barely played….all these guys were starters on their club team….YOU HAVE NO RATIONAL…YOU JUST CONTINUE TO GRASP!

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  • I agree with Ernest, playing Perisic on the right is all about need. We have several options at LM/LW but not many at RM/RW. Perisic being good with both feet makes him a possible player there and it’s a way to get him Olic and Rebic on the field at the same time, or him Olic and Mandzukic all on pitch together post Brasil match

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  • For the record nothing I said about Kranjcar in that thread was wrong and Slavonac your repeated posts that he is “still” good for 20-30min a game as a sub is a clear indication that he has declined. From previously as a sure starter playing near 90min for the NT every match to a sub for the last 10-20-30 min is pure unadulterated evidence that he has declined, and you seem to be admitting as much without actually spelling it out

    I take back what I had said prior to that thread about wanting to sub in a youth player (ala Brozo or Pasalic) over Kranjcar, Niko is clearly superior to those two… but at the same time I stand by my point that even if Kranjcar was healthy Rebic is a better impact sub if we are chasing a goal

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  • I think playing perisic on the right is more of a need thing than it is the real choice of Kovac. Assuming Vrsaljko at LB you need someone to help out defensively on that side so for me it would make more sense to put Perisic there since he does help out both ways. However, we have players who are capable of playing on the left but not really on the right. Rebic and Olic come to mind immediately. Perisic while not as effective on the right is more effective than either of the other 2 would be. My guess is that its srna perisic on the right and vrsaljko olic on the left. That does mean Jelavic at the top of the attack. sigh*** It may be for only 50 minutes or so if we fall behind with Jela being taken off for rebic and olic pushed up top with rebic on the LW.

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  • @Slavonac

    you usually are on the mark and you are correct about Kranjcar, clearly Ivica and nepoznat were wrong

    enjoy your posts and reasoning, keep it up, as Ziva would say keep out the emotion and you seem to do that

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  • I am waiting for Perisic and Rakitic to change my mind…I thought Boban nailed it with Rakitic in saying he has the ability to make great long passes, nice moves, great shot…all things we’ve seen from Rakitic at different parts of a game…he also noted he doubts Rakitic will be an influence as to how Barca plays…”Ne vjerujem da može dati novu dimenziju takvu klubu”…he doubt’s he will give a new dimension – he went on to explain Rakitic has great vision, nice pass and has to be involved in the play, otherwise he isn’t as effective…and…he lacks speed, which is why its hard to keep him in a higher attacking position IMO!

    When we played Mali, I noticed Rakitic gave several longer passes, often switching the play and he was very effective…everything seemed to happen from the bottom of the circle in his own half…pulling the strings…and from the little I saw…he hardly got into the last 3rd of the field.

    you’re right about (maybe they are from the same region in Cro)…and then those that still today don’t see Olic for what he does and pick him apart for what he doesn’t do well!

    I often scratch my head when I read those comments.

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  • I agree with you on Kranjcar. There was a spot and playing time for him on this roster.

    I find when most fans discuss a player and how he does or does not play, their personal view of the players comes into play. When they have a personal liking for a player (maybe they are from the same region in Cro) they tend to overlook his flaws. Opposite also holds true as well. More critical of a player they don’t like.

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  • Yeah Ziva, the thing is when you watch some of these guys vs their reputation on their club teams, I often find you get two totally different types of players.

    Going back to the Strinic topic…while the team did well he was fantastic…and then under Stimac, for whatever reason his performances suffered…and he was singled out…YET, we lost to Scotland, played like crap against everybody else and he was the scapegoat while guys like Rakitic, Perisic and even some other regulars were never brought into question…how is that possible?

    We had some very lengthy discussions regarding Kranjcar…both IvicaA and nepoznat criticized him while I think they don’t get it…Kranjcar has his purpose and can create in 30 minutes or less more than Perisic can do in 5 games!

    Pranjic is fast and gives great service…positionally, he’s a nightmare on defence!

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  • @Slavonac…….I totally agree about Perisic. I don’t get the need for him to play on the right side. It lessens his value playing on that side.

    I alos agree with Boban on his comments about Kovacic.

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  • to those that continued to argue with me regarding Perisic…according to Zvone Boban:

    ” Perišić je napredovao, ali na turnirskom natjecanju i na ovoj razini to neće biti dovoljno, pogotovo ako ne igra lijevo.”

    …and about Kranjcar:

    “Šteta za Kranjčara i Pranjića, koji su mogli pomoći u rotacijama”

    with regards to Kranjcar…this is a tournament and Boban has made is clear…he could have helped on a rotation basis…as a sub…not sure why some of you were so adamant that he is too old, slow, lost a step!

    …and here about Strinic…I’ve been amazed at those of you that don’t see the guys value, he was very steady during the last Euro’s…Boban comments on him here:

    “Žalim i za Strinićem, koji je na Euru 2012. pokazao da može odigrati sjajno na velikoj razin”

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  • Every Team’s Under-the-Radar Player at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2085585-every-teams-under-the-radar-player-at-the-2014-fifa-world-cup/page/3

    For Croatia, we’re opting for young forward Ante Rebic.

    The Fiorentina man did not feature heavily in his maiden Serie A campaign, but he has already shown glimpses of his undoubted talent and scored plenty of goals in his home country with RNK Split before his move to Italy.

    Only part of the international setup for the past year, he scored on his debut and featured in their World Cup qualifying playoff win. He may only play the part of super sub, but he’s someone who could have a real impact off the bench for Croatia and find a goal when they need one most.

    He’s strong, fast, extremely direct and has a thunderous shot—he just needs to dial down that anxiousness before his final decision of whether to shoot, all power, or make a pass. He’ll probably feature from the left side but looks far better centrally.

    pretty spot on, hope he can contribute if given the chance

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  • The key to beating Brazil is to be constantly kicking all the time. Just keep kicking all game long and on the side lines.

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  • Ziva – the fact that dannyj must hear from you during World Cup smack of jock sniffery?
    Iggy – incorrect, answer must be in form of a questions as is “what is the same percentage as the number of ladies Corluka had in a 24 hour period” – the lucky SOB……

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  • With his obsession with other men’s pubic regions it may not be accidental 😀 I’m sure Corluka will set him up with a woman, or at least a post op tranny 😀

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  • and what are the chances it turns out to be a tranny? is it gay to be the giver?
    in all seriousness i sure hope we get a recap of the days events while ziva is down there

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  • A Za Dom question – what are the chances that Ziva Istina (40 year old virgin) gets a piece of WC picka?????

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  • I don’t like Brazil this time
    the corrupted FIFA can disrupt of fair game campaign !!
    we can say every team in group A doesn’t allow to beat Brazil !
    i bet for penalty will be given by referee if they have leading to Brazil !! I know diving baby Neymar legitimate on this section !

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  • There is no way they will allow Brazil to lose to Cro.

    FIFA will absolutely not allow a Spain vs Brazil matchup in the Round of 16.

    If Cro plays remarkably well, they will earn a draw against Brazil. But they will guarantee lose points in one of the next two matches, whether they deserve it or not.

    Cro may advance, but they will not top this group.

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  • @Iggy >> as the one who admire me

    if the fixture says like that

    Brazil has lost againts Cro
    and tied up vs Mexico

    You know Brazil fate relying on Cro vs Mex
    if we have favor to ruled out Brazil.. then we should have lost
    for the sake of World Cup !!

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  • @ Ziva

    Sretan Put! Cuvaj se tamo doli. Pamet u glavu. Pazi skime se vodis, “Skim si, takvi si.”

    Aj, uzivaj. Neka bog dade zdravlje i pobjedu!

    Za Dom, Bog i Hrvati!

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  • Brazil was lousy in their providing infrastructure .
    and they will lousy in Match as well ->
    only on group stage they will stand !!

    Brazil vs Croatia 1-2
    Cameroon vs Maxico 1-1
    Brazil vs Mexico 1-1
    Croatia vs Cameroon 2-0
    Brazil vs Cameroon 3-0
    Croatia vs Mexico 0-2

                 win    draw    lost   point
    Croatia   2        0         1       6
    Mexico    1        2         0       5
    Brazil      1        1         1       4
    Camero 0        1         2       1

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  • Brazil was lousy in their providing infrastructure .
    and they will lousy in Match as well ->
    only on group stage they will stand !!

    Brazil vs Croatia 1-2
    Cameroon vs Maxico 1-1
    Brazil vs Mexico 1-1
    Croatia vs Cameroon 2-0
    Brazil vs Cameroon 3-0
    Croatia vs Mexico 0-2

    win draw lost point
    Croatia 2 0 1 6
    Mexico 1 2 0 5
    Brazil 1 1 1 4
    Camero  0 1 2 1

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  • Dudu je veci ustasa od svi na ovaj forum. A Sammir can order a drink in croatian and the konobar doesnt laugh.
    Also Sammir has cro friends unilke some of you who go to cro and act lile kreteno jebla vas gospa u dupetina magarecine glupe.

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  • @Lasica, i agree but it seems Kovac has him in his long term plans and wont be pulling the trigger on bringing in a replacement, hopefully by the time Pranjic recovers Vrsaljko will have cemented his spot at LB and i dont see him in the midfield unless Perisic shits the bed. As yet he hasnt been on the pitch with Sammir, so it looks like he may be a man of his word, through medical intervention of course 😀

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  • So long as Pranjic does not play I think we will make the round of 16, if he plays we won’t make it.

    Pranjic plays = Croatia loses

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  • @ Ivica
    I think you are right. I’m hoping they move Kovacic to the wing and have Rakitic play in his CORRECT position behind the striker…also really think he has to play Vukojevic (simply because we have no other option) to protect the back line and as you suggested mark Neymar. What I’m really interested in seeing is who plays LB..whether he moves Lovren/Charli there or if he sits Lovren and starts Vrsaljko…..either way we do have a few options and some flexibility.

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  • @ Ivica

    Great points.

    Disadvantage – advantage for the Vatreni.

    We have played like sranje for 18 months.

    No need to pretend like we have some set player rotation.

    It is impossible for our group to scout us.

    I say unleash the counter attack with young explosive talent.

    Kovačić – Rebic su spremni.

    Perišić is in his best form in the last 18 months.

    Olić is peerless in his competitive greatness.

    Rakitic …. Stud.

    Modrić … Majstore.

    Srna looks lively … must be laying off the smokes for the WC?

    I pray Kovač starts all the studs so we can let the world know what the essence of Za Dom Spremni really looks like.

    Uvijek Vjerni .

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  • Anyone on this site from the Seattle area. I just found out the announcer for the Cameroon game will be Kasey Keller (for those of you in the US watching on ESPN). Wondering if he has any ties to Hrvati in the Seattle area.

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  • @Ziva

    You’d be surprised how lazy managers can be, and how little scouting they really do to prepare.

    How many times have people (even on this board) made a right call over what a football manager had decided to play.

    Heck, I even made a comment yesterday about our RW issue and how Kovac had better not play Perisic or Olic there or they will be invisible all game. I can pretty much guarantee that. But there is a good chance Kovac will play one of them there this Thursday, so we can see if that ‘magic prediction’ comes true.

    Not saying that Scolari or Kovac are poor coaches. But everyone has their own method of doing things. I wouldn’t be surprised if the bulk of Scolari’s scouting comes from friendly games, and Kovac decided not to give him anything recent or new to base a decision on.

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  • @ Soul Champ, nema straha cuvat ce ga Carli, Ante(ZsD) has organised for Carli to show him around and line up some real living and breathing female company, the thing we all worry about is Ziva trying to get a look at Vedran’s pubic area, he does have a weird obsession there, cant stop talking about another man’s region and is yet to answer how that jives with the Za Dom Spremni lifestyle. I think we all feel that is the ultimate form of jock sniffing that he is involved in 😀

    @Ziva, sretan put i ostavi jugo zastavu u podrumu, dont forget your number 5 Corluka jersey so you can get the great man to sign it for you and dont do anything weird in his company 😀

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  • @Soul champ…….thanks, but be assured I won’t be in handshake distance or bro-hug distance of Corluka. There is no way I want to pick up what he is carrying.

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  • @Ivica-Yes,his cards are being kept close to his chest.We dont really know the guy too well yet as a coach,but he is no fool.I am speculating,but I see this as being his mindset in not giving much away.

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  • If Eduardo or Sammir were born and raised in Croatia, then they have every right to play for Cro regardless of their ethnicity.

    The beef people have is that Eduardo & Sammir were not born nor raised in Croatia. They came to Croatia AS PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS and despite them spending a certain amount of time in Croatia (which they wouldn’t have otherwise spent had they not had footballing careers there) they still should not be on the national team.

    This is why I love England’s strict Homeland Nation requirements for their national team. A foreign born-and-raised player can only represent them if they arrived before the age of 18 AND went to school there for a minimum of five years. England has a very multi-racial team, but these players have all been born and raised in England, and anyone who wasn’t, was English by descent and was allowed to acquire citizenship via other means.

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  • @ Ziva

    Looking forward to your eye witness account this Thursday.

    Pozdravi Corluka za mene!

    Sretan put Brate.

    Čuvaj se zemljaci tamo u Brazil.

    Need you back safe in the basement.

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  • @ivica……good points, but I got to believe the Brazilian staff is expecting the same thing. Everyone has scouts in today’s game and is informed about the opponent, so I don’t expect our eventual lineup to worry Brazil. I always get a laugh when coaches go closed doors and are afraid for someone to find out what they plan to do, like they are holding nuclear launching codes.

    Our guys will be ready and so will Brazil.

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  • Spent more time in Croatia? Ok, but he’s been in Croatia since 2002 and I’m not even 17 yet so that’s a bit unfair. Speaks better Croatian? Eh… I’ve never heard him speak much so that MAY (emphasize the “may”) be a possibility. Contributed more to Croatia? Again, I’m a pretty young guy… Here’s where my problem with the guy comes in. I maintain that national teams should represent the ethnicity of that nationality. And I know Eduardo is popular with most of the people here, and I’m in the minority saying that he should’ve never been on the team. What you guys don’t understand is that I have nothing against Eduardo. It’s perfectly normal for him to want to sing the Brazilian national anthem. His mom put it best when she said that he works for Croatia, but his heart is in Brazil. One more thing, Kruno, there is no need to get upset with me. Simply speaking my mind on a website. I’m sure you can get your thoughts a cross in a more civilized way… mozda ako psujes vise 🙂

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  • I noticed that Niko did NOT play the Modric/Rakitic/Kovacic trio during our friendlies. I notice that he did not feature Vukojevic either. Nor did he have Olic up top playing his same role in Wolfburg, even though Mandzo is suspended for that first Brazil game.

    Since these friendly lineups he’s been fielding have been borderline ridiculous, it’s got to be a case of “he’s keeping his cards close to his chest”…right?

    If this is the case, then I’m curious if his plan is to simply stick Vuki on Neymar and shadow him all game. If Olic is going to play up top (where it’s obvious he should) then I’m curious of who he sticks on the wing. Maybe Kovacic ends up playing that right side with Vuki in the lineup, and Raketa goes trequartista.

    Either way, I’m hoping Kovac has been playing this cards tight, because if he’s been at all serious with these lineups, then we will be losing to Brazil by at least three or four goals.

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  • @ Soul Champ
    Agree with your posts. Would love to see Rebic start up top…Jela has been badly out of form. We need his power/speed game up top.
    I really hope they give Vrsaljko a shot to start.

    @ svima
    I’m looking to do some betting and was wondering if anyone could suggest a decent site. We have pro line here in Canada but it’s limiting.

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  • @ Ziva

    You better strap it on down in Brazil and do not get back to your basement without getting some WC picka.

    Other wise you will be living a za peder Spremni lifestyle.

    @ Krunoslav

    I love Eduardo but I am happy that he will not be in the first 11 come Thursday. Need to see that camera roll down the line with non-Brazilians rocking the Grb.

    U Boj

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  • Hey Uskok,
    Eduardo has probably spent more time in Croatia and speaks the language better than you. He’s probably sang Ljepa Nasa more times than you. However, he definitely has contributed more to Croatia than you so…shut the f_ck up with your loser comments.
    Sincerely,
    Kruno

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  • Friends,

    What is your biggest concern going into the World Cup:

    A. Our LB situation
    B. who will score the goals (we only scored 12 in qualifying)
    C. One of “our” Brazilians actually scoring a goal
    D. STD Corluka’s condition acting up again
    E. Fans showing up in Brazil, at viewing parties across the globe or at home wearing a jersey with another person’s name in it.
    F. None of the above

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  • That Aus friendly was bogus.

    Trying to get a nice run and the Aussie’s tackling like a ape-shit kangaroos .

    Kovač has played his cards close to his vest.

    I talked to my guy who lives in the basement of the savez HQ in Brazil and he tells me that Rebic will start up top.

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  • Rebic upfront is the only way we can go against Brazil. Jelavic will be great for 10-20 minutes down the stretch.

    Eduardo as well.

    Olić will run his heart out against Brazil and should come off the bench against Cameroon and Mexico.

    Man, Olić was missed in 2012. Those low-self esteem Hrvati that used to criticize him back in the day…budala.

    Need to run at the Brazilians off the counter.

    Attacking 6:

    Rebic
    Perišić , Kovačić , Olić
    Rakitic, Modric

    Spremni.

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  • You Know what from what i saw out of cro in the last few games they all look tired and really fatigue i am hoping they are saving the legs for real games but round of 16 should be the goal IDEMO NASIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII NE ZANIMAJU ME VASI!

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  • Jebo te za dom spremni life style you already failed as you dont live in the domovina and you cannot be spreman DA!

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  • My guess is they weren’t practicing the anthem but rather like you said was only done because it was an open training for the locals.

    Typical of the Cro media though to twist it into a story though, kinda like the bomb scare earlier this morning lol

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  • Schifo did not practice today.

    As for that video, I really wonder if that was done for practice purposes or done because it was an opening training session for a short time and done so for the benefit of the local who came and watched. Because, I as someone who lives the “za dom….spremni” lifestyle would be very disappointed if our guys need to “vjezbat” the himna.

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  • No sign of Schildenfeld in the video.

    And Corluka mentioned how he and Lovren are not a good center back partnership. Hopefully Schifo will be available for Thursday.

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